The Reds slotted six penalties to kick their way to an 18-10 win over the Brumbies in Brisbane on Friday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
This clash followed an enthralling New Zealand derby between the Chiefs and Blues, and again the gulf in quality was starkly apparent as the Reds ground out a victory over a woefully ill-disciplined Brumbies side.
In a stop-start affair, a decisive area of the game proved to be the scrums in the second half, with South African JP Smith making a massive difference when he came on as a prop replacement.
The Reds had camped in Brumbies territory for virtually the entire first 10 minutes of this clash, but the only reward they had to show for it was a penalty to James Tuttle.
Unfortunately, as has become an all-too-regular occurrence when it comes to Aussie derbies, there was very little else to celebrate during a scrappy opening half an hour of play that was filled with errors and a lack of incisiveness on attack.
The Brumbies eventually began to work their way into the clash, though, and finally opened their account when scrumhalf Joe Powell showed good vision to dart over for a 30th-minute try.
Yet, even when Reds No 8 Caleb Timu was yellow-carded for a shoulder charge towards the end of the half, the Brumbies failed to take advantage, and the hosts held on to a one-point lead thanks to a second penalty to Tuttle.
The Brumbies continued to have plenty of opportunities in the third quarter without being able to add the finishing touches, and instead it was Tuttle who extended the Reds’ advantage with a third penalty.
Crucially, the Reds then opened up a 10-point buffer as Jono Lance slotted two more penalties as the Brumbies penalty count rose to 13.
No 8 Isi Naisarani did give the Brumbies some hope when he scored in the 75th minute, but Lance finally sealed the result with a late penalty.
Reds – Penalties: James Tuttle (3), Jono Lance (3).
Brumbies – Tries: Joe Powell, Isi Naisarani.
Reds – 15 Aidan Toua, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Jono Lance, 9 James Tuttle, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Adam Korczyk, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper (c).
Subs: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Sef Fa’agase, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 Angus Scott-Young, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
Brumbies – 15 Tom Banks, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Chance Peni, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Joe Powell, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Tom Cusack, 6 Lachlan McCaffrey, 5 Sam Carter (c), 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Mann-Rea, 1 Ben Alexander.
Subs: 16 Robbie Abel, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Les Leuluaialii-Makin, 19 Blake Enever, 20 Lolo Fakaosilea, 21 Matt Lucas, 22 Wharenui Hawera, 23 Lausii Taliauli.
Photo: Jono Searle/Getty Images
