Holding on: Reds
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The Reds kept the heat on Australian conference pace-setters the Brumbies after holding off the Highlanders 19-13 at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.
Defeat means that the Forsyth Barr Stadium outfit once again have to assess how they fell away so badly in the second half of a Super Rugby term.
Jamie Joseph's side began the year so well with five wins from six but ended 2012 with only two successes in their final six competition fixtures.
Meanwhile, the Reds are now just one step away from defending their title in the qualifying rounds as look to finish the regular-season job against the Waratahs next week on home soil. Should the Brumbies slip up in their final two games then it seems the Reds are set to jump on the summit.
It could have been so different, however, as the Highlanders came close to taking a critical victory into the final round, which is in fact their bye week.
But in the end fourteen points from the boot of Mike Harris and a try from James Slipper proved sufficient in winning the game in response to the away side's tries from Adam Thomson and Chris King.
It was tit-for-tat in the opening ten minutes as Mike Delany and Harris traded shots at goal. Despite the Highlanders' early drive to go for a try, they did not follow through with calls to plump for scrums and quick-taps as Jamie Mackintosh eventually pointed to the posts.
Harris replied three minutes later with a leveller from the kicking tee after the visitors were penalised by South African referee Jonathan Kaplan for having hands in a ruck.
What was apparent was the shadow of denting hopes of making the final six. Granted the visitors had less of a chance of making the play-offs after their season had somewhat unravelled following what was once again a promising start from the Dunedin franchise.
Consequently there was to be no further score until the 32nd minute as caution hampered what was expected to be a good game between two teams that like to play. Those who had been treated to the Chiefs and Crusaders moments before were no doubt feeling cheated.
Both coaches made changes at the break as Joseph threw on All Blacks scrum-half Aaron Smith for Jimmy Cowan and King for captain Mackintosh. Meanwhile, Ewen McKenzie opted for Radike Samo to replace Beau Robinson, with Scott Higginbotham moving to the flank.
Harris' third shot of the game on 48 minutes did help open up breathing space and when Slipper was unmarked on the right wing to go in for a key try, the hosts had a 16-3 cushion.
The Reds looked on course for the win but when Thomson wrestled his way to the ground in the in-goal area and then King replied to three more Harris points, the comeback was on.
But despite the Highlanders' best efforts, it was a decision from their captain Mackintosh to go alone for the line that backfired and the prop was ultimately penalised for being isolated.
The scorers:
For Reds:
Try: Slipper
Con: Harris
Pen: Harris 4
For Highlanders:
Tries: Thomson, King
Pen: Delany
Reds: 15 Luke Morahan, 14 Dom Shipperley, 13 Anthony Faingaa, 12 Mike Harris, 11 Chris F'Sautia, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Beau Robinson, 6 Jake Schatz, 5 Adam Wallace-Harrison, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Greg Holmes.
Replacements: 16 James Hanson, 17 Ben Daley, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Jarrad Butler, 20 Ben Lucas, 21 Ben Tapuai, 22 Nick Frisby.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Kade Poki, 13 Siale Piutau, 12 Phil Burleigh, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Mike Delany, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Nasi Manu, 7 James Haskell, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Nick Crosswell, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Ma'afu Fia, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Jamie Mackintosh (capt).
Replacements: 16 Jason Rutledge, 17 Chris King, 18 Jarrad Hoeata, 19 Tim Boys, 20 Aaron Smith, 21 Chris Noakes, 22 Kenny Lynn.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Angus Gardner (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
Television match official: Steve Lesczcynski (Australia)
Comments
Trader2 says...
@Trinats - bitter, nothing to be bitter about, I never made any stupid claims like some. I am a realist and as I said the Reds are gone!!
Posted 12:35 08th July 2012
tha_mai says...
Costa - Queensland fans, just ignore them, they behave same at league; as today's Sydney Morning Herald describes them: 'feral' under a headline of 'Fans Spray Bile'; every country has them, fortunately for Oz they seem concentrated in one area, and should not be taken as a reflection of the whole country.
Posted 02:33 08th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
capedcrusader:
Where you're from I surprised you know what offside !!!
Trader2:
Still bitter I see.
Posted 22:51 07th July 2012
Trader2 says...
@Trinats "the Reds were too good" hmmm watched the game this arvo and think they did probably just deserve the win but outscored in the try department and in patches looked very ordinary and will be lucky to make the 6. So Brumbies to finish top of the Oz conference they just need 1 point and Reds need 5 by my calcs. You would have to think if all games next week, and the Stormers tonight go according to plan well the top 6 as it is now will be it. Chiefs and Stormers could come down to points scored next week as to who finishes top. For the Reds they have to win against the posers (which shouldn't be too difficult given the performances of the lower placed Oz sides) and they have to hope either the Bulls or the Sharks lose, unlikely I suggest. The posers of course could surprise and then it won't matter to the Reds what the other teams do cos they would be gone. And Trinats the Reds are no show from here and they never have been.
Posted 14:53 07th July 2012
capedcrusader says...
Trinats says
as in offside (typical kiwi tactic)
Very rich comment considering the Aussies & Saffas are the worst offside offenders in the game of rugby
Posted 13:09 07th July 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Ramage says...
"The Kiwis keeping The reds afloat."
lol. good one, I see what you did there
Posted 12:52 07th July 2012
Ramage says...
Geez hasnt the Sharks win put the pressure on the Reds to perform against the Woeful Waratahas aka The Flowergirls. Next week. Crusaders playing the Fragile Force, The Stormers playing the Rusty Rabbles Bulls the Losing Lions, Sharks the Courageous Cheetahs . Leaves the only other game of possible upsets the Chiefs and Hurricanes. or maybe the Blues and the Brumbies lol. Anyway after today's Blues Force game where the Blues have now overtaken the Force and the Lions to take them away from bottom spot the interest now is who will pick up the Wooden Spoon The Saffa or the Oz representative.
Isnt it becoming apparent some of those annoying low blows used in League are creeping into our game. Saia Faingaa will one day get his come uppance with his niggling tactics such as pushing his hand in a player's face as he gets up. Usually, the player is pinned on the ground and cant get back at him, but his time will come.. As for complaining about the number of penalties Trinuts it just goes to show how desperate the cheating Reds have become. I too like many others was surprised no yellow cards were produced by Kaplan as his warnings went unheeded.
Lol @ tha_mai : "one day he will find that elusive yellow card and bin himself." Lol
Posted 10:46 07th July 2012
Ramage says...
The Kiwis keeping The reds afloat.
Posted 07:53 07th July 2012
tha_mai says...
Trader2 - why not QC? He's chosen to retain his NZ citizenship and passport rather than Australian ones.
Highlanders needed a bonus point win from tries, maybe should have taken early points on offer and got the lead first; five scrum penalties to them in first seven minutes till they gave in and let Delany get a 3 pointer.
Will this be Kaplan's last season? Already dropped from internationals, maybe one day soon he'll find that elusive yellow card and bin himself!
Posted 01:53 07th July 2012
Trinats2 says...
Well Kaplan did his best to keep the Highlanders in it. Reds avg 8/9 penalties and last night 17 ???
hayj05 once the tears have gone watch the game again and you will see which team was coming in from all angles, holding on at the ruck and obstructing players infornt of the ruck, as in offside (typical kiwi tactic) And as for diving off their feet, Highlanders will do well in the olympics.
Away from the whinging Kiwis and back to the game !!!
Good game, Highlanders played with passion and came back well. Again the Reds lacked the killer blow when ahead at 16-3, but were missing Ioane and Gill and even Horwill for gaining yards over the advantage line. Great defence from the Reds and once again Higgers was awesome.
Cowan, thanks for the memories, good and bad (from an Aussie perspective!)
Trader2:
No, it was the Reds were too good. Hard luck mate, I had a rum for you !
Justice: the outlaws stayed up to watch it, I went to Suncorp and bars so didn't see it, so will cop some later today I'm sure. Reds will win it again ! Just like Queensland in the State of Origin !!!!!!!
TheTruthHurts says...
"@hayj05, that is Queenslanders for you :-p"
:-) winners are grinners !!!! :-) :-) :-)
Posted 00:29 07th July 2012
new_j4a says...
Did the sharks just take a bite out of the Red's playoff prospects? Trinats must be getting a lashing from his inlaws who are all from Kwazulu-Natal.
Posted 20:19 06th July 2012
tweedledee49 says...
unlucky for the Highlanders who I thought played better out of the two. But anywho, good win for the Reds and hope the injuries aren't too severe.
@Hayj05, cheer up bro! like you, Im gutted the Highlanders lost but to be fair the highlanders were, at crucial times, their own worst enemy and also I think both teams got away with a few dirty plays...
and Thank you Jimmy!
Posted 17:55 06th July 2012
SwiftyHuzzah says...
The Reds know how to win. Full stop. They'll press on and take the title again.
Posted 16:39 06th July 2012
jonesy2 says...
hayj05 -- you sound like a little bitch to be frank
well done to jimmy cowan, southland, highlander and all black legend and what sublime class from the perenially classy will genia in his post match congrats for jimmy
Posted 16:15 06th July 2012
Trader2 says...
Didn't see the game (the plane was late - typical Qantas) I will watch replay tomorrow but obviously it was the Ref, home advantage, hoodoo ground, too many Queenslanders in the crowd and oh too many Kiwi's (not counting QC) in the Red's side that done for my Highlanders in the end. The Red's just keep coming up with these Kiwi's, one of these days they will actually produce a couple of home grown players. Bad luck boys and good luck to Jimmy C not sure how you will handle going back to only training on Tuesdays and Thursday nights over there though, guess it will be like playing for Mataura again without the same skill level of course.
Posted 15:30 06th July 2012
TheTruthHurts says...
@hayj05, that is Queenslanders for you :-p
Posted 14:19 06th July 2012
peewee2 says...
I didn't see the game.................
but, go the queenslander.............
let's make it two out of two.........
in 2012.....................................
Posted 13:35 06th July 2012
Wallaroo says...
Nerves last couple of minutes but defence holds true. Well done Reds on keeping the Aussie conference true and intact.
Posted 12:42 06th July 2012
costa says...
good show from highlanders who needed a 5try bonus for any hope and early on that didnt look like happening; they should have taken early penalty kicks i think, but for a kicker!! reds penalised 17 times - what lack of courage from the referee kaplan was he intimidated by all the booing in the crowd or did he just leave his yellow card in the change room? usually rate him but tonight his review very bad, too many warnings, and then he just went asleep in last few min, waiting for drinks at after match.
end for highlanders good for them, on tonights show with home boo-ers and a ref in their pocket must say reds are a lucky top 6.
Posted 12:33 06th July 2012
hayj05 says...
Not happy with that at all!
God the Reds are a dirty team. Up offside, dive off their feet & holding on at the ruck. Must be so frustrating to play against, I guess they do it so often they get away with it so much. Especially that last couple of minutes could of been 2 or 3 more penalties before that turnover which was legit. Just makes me want to tear my hair out.
I want to see them gone whether it be next week or the first week of the playoffs.
Posted 12:32 06th July 2012