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
hybrid187 says...
Nope no excuses here, was a great game well played Reds. Looks like theyre finally coming right. Any news on Kahui injury ? I hope its not as bad as it looked.
Posted 11:40 13th May 2012
jonesy2 says...
well people are just getting made to look like idiots (PR included) having called the aussie conference weak because two aussie teams have just beaten the two best teams in the tournament in the last 2 days. god i hope richie k is ok. liam gill is just simply unbelievable he has to be in the aussie side at 19 aswell!
Posted 11:33 13th May 2012
Trader2 says...
Its hard to beat cheating officials, hoodoo grounds, and home advantage - no seriously what a fantastic game and the Reds in the 2nd half were simply brilliant, thats the way to pay a game of rugby, both teams played their part but the Red's ramped it up and blew the Chiefs away. It does seem strange that the Chiefs who have leaked so few tries this year give away 5 in one game, if they were race horses I am sure the stewards would be out with the cotton swabs. Trinats could it be I was wrong and the Reds are that good, well I won't give up yet but they should at least hold 2nd spot as the posers will offer no challenge after that capitulation on Friday night. So the Lions next week, should be 5 points, then the Brumbies and they won't offer the same lose play the Chiefs did today, then the bye and see ya in 5 weeks boys god knows who will come back after the Internationals. But for now well done Trinats at last you really have something to sing about a great performance by the Reds.
Posted 11:28 13th May 2012
FISH says...
hmmm maybe i should retract my statement about the weak aussie conference perhaps they are only now beginning to find form.....maybe a little to late or right on time......though i must say i am not utterly convinced yet.....still a brilliant game....brilliant rugby all round and a deserved win for the reds ....nice
Posted 11:18 13th May 2012
mew2000 says...
tominhongkong:Gill best game, let see how he goes with every match... Round to the aussies this weekend against the better teams. Pity the are so hit and miss this season eh? Injuries effecting , yes so what? IT's the same for other teams and unless you are 100% on the day you will be very luckly to win the game ... Crusaders were rubbish by there standards however the rebels played well and deserved the win same for the reds...
Posted 10:39 13th May 2012
Ramage says...
What a very good game and the Reds are certainly back to their best. The loss of Kahui was telling but to me the way the Chiefs forwards stood off at the start of the second half led to their downfall. The Reds players who I thought were outstanding were Gill, boy what a find, time and again his tenacity against the less than urgent Chiefs was telling Horwill till he was replaced was his usual self leading by example. Genia is back to his best and I need to apologise for some rash statements about his play earlier. Morahan also played his part quite well after he escaped being sent from the field. Finally, Andrew Lees, the assistant referee, who either, conveniently never got a number or failed to do his job also played well in the second half revival of the Reds. He too must join the growing list of assistants who are failing to do the simple job they are asked. Is it that hard for an assistant referee not to get a number. Morahan is now likely to miss a game due to Lees incompetence, If he had been yellow carded he may have got off with that being an acceptable punishement. Sorry Mr Lees unforgiveable
Now all I wish to see is that the Reds continue their climb up the ladder and put some pressure on the Brumbies as it is certain that the Flower Girls are not likely to do so. Be good to see the Reds in with a chance to defend their title after their horror run of injuries. Well done Reds. A big wake up call for the NZ teams this weekend. This win and that of the Rebels has turned the competition on its head and will certainly have its effect on the playoffs not only who qualifies but in what position.
Posted 10:25 13th May 2012
NHsaints says...
If SBW wasn't injured by the tackle then I see nothing wrong with the outcome. Fantastic from the Reds, a late resurgence on the cards here maybe?
Posted 10:14 13th May 2012
Wallaroo says...
The Reds turned up and the Chiefs were surrounded. That was an unbelievable show of tenacity and form.
Trinats mate I'm defo having a bundy for you mate. I had a feeling it would be more than the 5 predicted by PR but this is great. After a heartbreaking Friday night I'm revitalized. The Rebels and now the Reds.
Posted 09:31 13th May 2012
davodiablo says...
Tom no excuses here . Enjoy your drink .
Posted 09:23 13th May 2012
TominHongKong says...
Another win from the 'weak' Australian Conference. No need to use the tackle on Sonny Bill as an excuse for the loss, Kiwoids. Going to have another drink in Wan Chai. Liam Gill ,19 yrs old, what a player !
Posted 09:13 13th May 2012