Awesome try: Will Genia
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The Reds put on their best performance of the Super Rugby season to beat the high-flying Chiefs 42-27 in a nine-try humdinger in Brisbane on Sunday.
The Chiefs dominated the first period to race into a 22-8 lead but a try from Ben Lucas after the half-time hooter sparked a massive comeback from the defending champions, who scored 28 unanswered points to snatch the initiative back.
The result is the Chiefs' first defeat since Round One back in February and sees the Reds climb to second place in the Australian conference.
A four-try bonus point leaves the Chiefs one point behind tournament leaders the Bulls.
14 points down with the interval looming large, the Reds looked in trouble but skipper James Horwill took the brave decision to push for a try with the last play of the half. The gamble paid off as Lucas crossed to add to Dom Shipperley's opening score in the early stages and drag the hosts back into contention.
It proved a pivotal moment as the Reds proceeded to run in three more tries in ten minutes after the break as the shell-shocked Chiefs defence wilted.
The defeat was compounded for the Chiefs with the sight of centre Richard Kahui leaving the field in the first half with a dislocated shoulder.
The game was not without controversy however. The Chiefs will have reason to feel aggrieved after Luke Morahan escaped a yellow card for a tip-tackle on Sonny Bill Williams on 66 minutes. None of the officials were able to see his number though and the full-back went on to make two try-saving tackles when he should have been in the sin-bin.
Whether it would have changed the result is debatable however as the Reds showed cool heads in the last quarter, even landing a drop goal via Mike Harris to keep the Chiefs at a safe distance.
Teenage openside flanker Liam Gill was immense for the home side, pilfering time and again while Harris was again instrumental with the boot for the Reds, landing seven from eight attempts at goal.
The Reds were on the board after just four minutes, with Harris intercepting, drawing three in a run to the line before offloading for Dom Shipperley to score in the corner.
Williams was outstanding for the Chiefs and scored in the 30th minute, running over untouched for the first of the visitors' three tries in eight minutes.
Liam Messam and try-machine Sona Taumalolo added their names to the scoresheet as the Chiefs streaked ahead.
But after Lucas scored, the Reds drew level immediately after half-time, putting on 15 pick-and-drive phases for Scott Higginbotham to crash over.
Will Genia made it two tries in the first five minutes of the second half with a brilliant solo effort, splitting defenders before pinning back the ears and beating Lelia Masaga to the corner.
Having secured their first four-point bonus try of the season, the hosts took just moments to add their fifth, this time through replacement hooker Saia Faingaa, who crashed over at the back of a driving maul.
A late try from wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma was the Chiefs' only reply.
The scorers:
For Reds:
Tries: Shipperley, Lucas, Higginbotham, Genia, S. Faingaa
Cons: Harris 4
Pens: Harris 2
Drop: Harris
For Chiefs:
Tries: S.B. Williams, Messam, Taumalolo, Tikoirotuma
Cons: Cruden 2
Pen: Cruden
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Ben Lucas, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 James Horwill (c), 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 James Hanson, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements: 16 Saia Faingaa, 17 Greg Holmes, 18 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19 Eddie Quirk, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Rod Davies.
Chiefs: 15 Andrew Horrell, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Alex Bradley, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (capt), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Kane Thompson, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Robbie Robinson.
Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Comments
Trinats2 says...
Trader2:
Higgers has signed for the Rebels ! He had landed a deal with the Reds, but ARU didn't give him a top up deal they said they would. Must have been a huge amount for him to leave.
Posted 21:33 17th May 2012
kiwieire02 says...
I know this is a bit late but for most of this season I have been wondering why Beau Robinson hasn't been starting/playing for the reds this year especially after him having a great season last year, having not watched reds play this year.
Now after watching Liam Gill in this match and against the crusader last week I now understand why and am now little worried, Pocock maybe the aussie No.7 but if his form slips this guy Gill will take that jersey from him any chance he has, and Pocock probably knows it which will bring out the best in Pocock.
BUGGER!
Posted 19:10 17th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
Trader2:
Also linked to Force move and overseas, but word in the sheds is that he is staying in QLD.
As long as we are getting the crowds, and winning the S15, the pit wont empty !!!!. Hope O'Neill rethinks salary cap.
Posted 11:27 16th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Trinats story here in Melbourne about Higgers going to the Rebels, probably old news but haven't seen it mentioned on PR.Trying the old Genia trick and ramp up the $$$ and why not it worked for him. He might have to be careful I am sure the Red's money box is not a bottomless pit and he is not a Genia.
Posted 14:54 15th May 2012
new_j4a says...
@all Reds fans particularly Trinats, that was some of the finest rugby I have seen this year. Great stuff from both teams, but the Reds certainly did make me eat my "ill considered" prediction. Thanks for a classic. I really can't wait for Cooper to come back and level the playing field.....okay, okay, I take it back. I couldn't resist. He is very good (at offence).
Posted 23:09 14th May 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ eejbm... look at a rule book some time, it states in fairly clear terms that if you lift someone off the ground you, not they, are responsible for how they land.
@ dan73... unless they've changed the regs yet again then, yes, the ref can ask the TMO for help where he feels foul play has occurred - can't for the life of me think why he wouldn't have done so, but that's refs for ya.
Posted 11:15 14th May 2012
Capedcrusader says...
Any comments about the officials? Didn't think so.....
Posted 09:59 14th May 2012
melkdave says...
Its good to see the Reds back to some form after all their injury worries earlier in the season .But please lets not to carried away ,theres still a long way to go and they need to find that kind of form and tenacity ect every game now If they are to retain their championship title .One good win wont make them champions ,but alot may.
Posted 09:50 14th May 2012
Ramage says...
Sorry editor this should have been added to my last post.
@eejbm what a ridiculous statement that it was SBW fault that he landed the way he did. Take off the blinkers mate he was lifted to the horizontal and not put down in a safe manner. The call was correct just a pity Lees has trouble being able to read numbers. Is he a Queenslander Trinuts ? Who goes out there to find some reason to make sure that they stay on the field ? Is this a new way of helping the team by saying I saw it but I was too dumb to get a number. Has he signed up as a new recruit to the group of referees and assistant referees who have formed a committee with Bryce Lawrence as chair, Braytenbach as secretary Legoate as deputy chair. There seems to be plenty climbing over themselves to join this illustrious group.
Posted 09:42 14th May 2012
Ramage says...
@ stellenbosched I dare not raise the ire of the editor by replying to your interesting post as I have upset him enough already. I note though the editor also got his none rugby suggestion in before closing off statement. Well picked up Trinuts. All I can say editor is what is good for the goose......... lol. Will try them all so please excuse if my next posts are slurred and incomprehensible. Editor I keep away from the forum as it does my blood pressure no good to read some of those statements so sorry I will never read any message left for me there as I value my health and well being lol.
Posted 09:30 14th May 2012
dan73 says...
Shoudn't the ref had asked for help from the tmo for the number? Probably not allowed... Or ask Horwill, there's nothing wrong with being a good sport!
Posted 08:31 14th May 2012
7ton says...
trinats
Respect? Nice to see you compliment Kiwis for not whining and then have a big one yourself as per usual.
Great game and fatastic entertainment. Well done the reds
Posted 07:54 14th May 2012
nefari says...
How on earth could the touch judge not see the number? The reds were hot but the assistant was not.
Posted 07:18 14th May 2012
Trinats2 says...
"The editor says.... Stellenbosched2: You should try the unwooded Chardonnay from Sterhuis down the road from your home town. But serious, RUGBY guys, RUGBY! Please use the forum to send personal messages."
Ed, stick to the rugby !
Great to hear some of the posts from Chiefs/Kiwi supporters. Although your team went down, there was none of the usual chirping from you. Respect.
Good to see Reds this year stinging a few wins together (they did beat the Crusaders last week !) However I was a bit concerned about the 4 trys they let in.
Amazing what happens to a rugby game when the Ref allows the game to flow and doesn't decide the outcome prior to kick off.
Wally, I'm surprised there was any Bundy Rum left after the Reds game. Happy Rummers day !
Huge blow for Kahui, hope he is good come RChampion time.
Posted 05:22 14th May 2012
pacfcrugby4eva says...
new_j4a says...
@jonesy2, the chances are slim that an Oz team will be in the final....and they are miniscule that the Reds will even make the playoffs.....I think you'll see what I mean tomorrow.
Comment above from a Stupid referee and Simon Moore, Not Andrew Lees, missed the number of the fullback...another stupid refereeing decision...lol...Sorry Simon, we can sort it out over a drink.
Posted 01:44 14th May 2012
eejbm says...
"Luke Morahan escaped a yellow card for a tip-tackle on Sonny Bill Williams on 66 minutes."
What a joke - some onus has to be placed on the player being tackled, SBW was twisting and turning in a perfectly good, strong tackle - it's the tackled player's fault in this instance. There certainly shouldn't be a suspension.
Posted 01:44 14th May 2012
isthatrightref says...
Great win by the Reds, Genia finally back to his best & Gill looks like a guy with a huge future if he stays in 1 piece... I'm picking that the 20-odd members of wifey's family who went to the game decked out in their Chiefs gear had a long, quiet ride home on the train... kia kaha, guys.
Posted 22:53 13th May 2012
Stellenbosched2 says...
Hi Ramage,
My local supermarket has imported a range of Kiwi wines, I am mad about Sauvignon Blanc, and our 2012 vintage is starting to hit the shelves, However I have to say that the Diamond Ridge SB 2011 from the Hawkes Bay area was absolutely delicious
The editor says.... Stellenbosched2: You should try the unwooded Chardonnay from Sterhuis down the road from your home town. But serious, RUGBY guys, RUGBY! Please use the forum to send personal messages.
Posted 19:30 13th May 2012
Stellenbosched2 says...
Hi jonesy2
Funny, I didn't realise the Aussie Rebels and the Reds had beaten the Bulls and the Stormers this weekend. Must have missed it.
Posted 19:21 13th May 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Well done Reds, you beat my beloved Chiefs fair and square. No excuses here, the Reds were just way better today!
The Reds were awesome in attack and Gill was a freakin pain to watch when we were attacking (i mean this as a compliment) as he was TOO FREAKING GOOD!!
Maybe we will meet again in the play-offs, now Chiefs will some well deserved rest and hopefully come back stronger!
p.s. Taumalolo, you try scoring S.O.B lol
Posted 13:09 13th May 2012