St.George Queensland Reds lose to Brumbies in Canberra
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Loading...The St.George Queensland Reds have suffered a disappointing 45-21 loss to the Brumbies in Round 8 of Vodafone Super Rugby in Canberra.
The Reds led 18-12 at the break, but the Brumbies took full advantage of a yellow card to Chris Feauai-Sautia to hit back with two tries while Queensland were shorthanded early in the second half and were in control of the match from that point on.
Reds head coach Brad Thorn said: “It’s a tough one because we let it slip away. When you’re in front like we were, you need to keep the pressure on.
“Credit to the Brumbies, they chipped away and the momentum swung their way. We’re a young group, there’s definitely some lessons to take from that performance.”
The Reds started the match well, with Feauai-Sautia offloading to Taniela Tupou to score the opening try in the sixth minute. Jono Lance added the extras to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.
Lance kicked a penalty goal in the 18th minute to extend his side’s lead to 10-0 and a try to Feauai-Sautia in the 22nd minute took them out to 15-0.
The Brumbies hit back with a try to hooker Folau Fainga’a in the 27th minute. Wharenui Hawera kicked the conversion to close the gap to 15-7.
Lance kicked another penalty goal in the 31st minute, but the Brumbies hit back minutes later with a try to Isi Naisarani to takethe score to 18-12.
The Reds entered half time up on the scoreboard, but down a man after Feauai-Sautia was shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock down.
The Brumbies had all the momentum in the second half, as they ran in five tries through Chance Peni, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, Naisarani and David Pocock.
While a disappointing second half performance, there was some cause for celebration in the 53rd minute when outside back Jordan Petaia stepped onto the field, becoming the youngest-ever Reds’ Super Rugby debutant at 18 years and 24 days old. The match was also centre Samu Kerevi’s 50th Queensland cap.
The Reds are on the road again next week, heading to Sydney to take on the NSW Waratahs at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The sides are meeting at the famous ground for the first time since 1983.
St.George Queensland Reds 21 (Chris Feauai-Sautia, Taniela Tupou tries; Jono Lance 1 conversion; Lance 2, James Tuttle 1 penalty goals) defeated by Brumbies 45 (Folau Fainga’a, Isi Naisarani 2, Chance Peni, Rory Arnold, Sam Carter, David Pocock tries; Christian Lealiifano 4, Wharenui Hawera 1 conversions) at Canberra Stadium on Saturday 7 April 2018.
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