Reds: Retain Templeton Cup

Related links

Teams

• Queensland Reds

Reds flanker Eddie Quirk said he was pleased to contribute to his team's 25-17 victory over the Waratahs in Brisbane on Saturday.

The Reds scored three tries to two with the win their fourth straight over the Waratahs, while also extending their strong record at Suncorp Stadium to 22 wins from their past 25 games.

Tries to winger Dom Shipperley and centre Ben Tapuai in the opening half gave the Reds a comfortable 17-3 lead at half-time, however the Waratahs scored twice early in the second half to level scores at 17-all with 20 minutes to play.

A Mike Harris penalty gave the Reds a slim three-point lead 10 minutes later, but it was Quirk's match-winning effort that broke the deadlock, beating five defenders in the midfield before offloading from the ground at the line to Tapuai for his second try of the match.

"It was just normal footy instinct. I got the ball, straightened up and luck went my way," said Quirk.

"I just went for it and saw the white line and thought it was all systems go. Benny [Tapuai] always seems to be in the right place at the right time, so we were just happy to get over the line in the end.

"You have to take opportunities, so we just went with it and it just happened to come off. It's pretty pleasing."

Meanwhile, director of coaching Ewen McKenzie was full of praise for his team after bouncing back from their opening round defeat to the Brumbies.

"Any win against New South Wales is a great win. We've still got the trophy (Templeton Cup) and it's another win," he said.

"We're really pleased with our aggression and our intent. We stuck at it as long as we needed to and got the third try to seal the game, so I was really pleased. In the end, Quirky came up with something special.

"I thought some of our tackling was of the highest order, the best I've seen some of it. That's a sign of attitude and if you have that you have something to work with. We were certainly better in the physical battle today than we were last week. "