The Blues played the Reds twice last year and the Reds won both matches, although it should be noted that both matches were played in Brisbane, with the Reds having home advantage in both games.
Match details
We are waiting for the kick-off.
0.00: Mike Harris gets proceedings under way as he kicks off for the Reds.
1.00: The Reds gain momentum off the kick-off as they move inside the Blues' 22. Ben Lucas puts in a cross kick and Digby Ioane is able to dot down for an early try.
2.00: Harris' kick drifts wide.
4.00: The Reds string together phases inside the Blues' half. They get within 10m of the line but Beau Robinson puts a foot into touch.
6.00: The Reds are on fire early on as they are able to affect a turnover and score. The Blues' defence is riddled with gaps and Luke Morahan is able to dot down for an easy try.
7.00: Harris bangs over the conversion to extend the Reds' lead.
8.00: The Blues are penalised inside their own half as Luke Braid does not release the tackled Reds player. Harris will have a shot at goal from 40m out.
9.00: Harris misses the kick.
11.00: The Reds are penalised for not rolling away and Anscombe kicks for touch.
14.00: The Blues work through several phases as they try to get themselves into Reds territory. The Reds defence stands firm and they are able to affect a turnover to get themselves inside the Blues' 22.
18.00: The Reds are penalised on half way for holding on and Anscombe kicks for touch to set up a Blues lineout inside Reds territory. The Blues fluff the throw-in, however, and seem to be having serious issues at the lineouts tonight as they continue to lose their set piece ball.
20.00: The Blues are penalised at the breakdown and Harris kicks for the sideline but is unable to find touch.
22.00: The Blues work their way inside Reds territory as they gain momentum through several phases. The Reds are penalised for tackling a player without the ball and the Blues opt to kick for touch instead of have an attempt at goal.
24.00: Luke Braid is able to get over the line as he makes a solid break off the back of a rolling maul.
26.00: Anscombe is unable to convert the try.
29.00: The Blues gain valuable metres and they get within 5m of the line as they hammer away at the Reds' defensive line.
30.00: The Reds concede a penalty and Anscombe will line up a kick at goal from 10m out.
31.00: Anscombe closes the gap to four points as he bangs over the penalty.
33.00: The Reds work their way up into the Blues' 22 but lose momentum as they are penalised for offside. Anscombe kicks for touch to relieve the pressure.
34.00: The Blues are penalised just inside their own half. Harris opts for a shot at goal.
35.00: Harris' kick sails over and the Reds extend their lead.
38.00: The Blues look to run the ball off the back of a scrum inside their own half. They string together phases inside Reds territory as they are able to generate quick ball and test the Reds' defence. They lose the ball forward, however, and another scoring opportunity is wasted.
40.00: Genia stabs the ball into touch as the half time hooter sounds.
The half time score was Blues 8 Reds 15.
40.00: Gareth Anscombe gets the second half under way as he kicks off for the Blues.
41.00: The Reds are awarded a penalty on half way as the Blues are pinged for not rolling away. Harris kicks for touch to set up an attacking lineout.
43.00: The Reds string together phases to get within 5m of the line. Will Genia throws a long pass wide and Dom Shipperley is able to get over the line to score the Reds' third try.
45.00: Harris' kick drifts wide.
46.00: The Reds gain momentum off the restart. Lucas puts in a solid cross kick but Rod Davies' foot slips into touch as he gathers.
47.00: Rob Simmons is penalised for pulling back a Blues player in the lineout. The Blues kick for touch from half way.
49.00: The Blues string together phases to get within 10m of the line. They lose the ball forward, however, and miss out on a crucial scoring opportunity.
51.00: Again the Blues get within 5m of the line. They are penalised for holding on as the Reds continue to commit more players at the breakdown. Harris is unable to find touch.
55.00: The Reds are penalised for going off their feet and Anscombe will have a kick at goal from 20m out.
56.00: Anscombe's kick is on target to reduce the deficit.
57.00: The Blues begin to string together phases inside Reds territory. The Reds are penalised for not releasing and Anscombe will line up another kick at goal - this time from 42m out.
58.00: Anscombe pushes the kick away to the right.
60.00: The Blues are penalised for going off their feet and Harris clears from inside his own half.
64.00: The Blues look to run the ball from inside their own half but lose possession as a stray pass sees the ball bungled into touch on half way.
67.00: Benson Stanley makes a solid break up field and the Blues look to score as he gets a pass away inside the Reds' 22. Will Genia is able to provide cover and gets the Reds out of trouble.
68.00: The Blues are penalised for not releasing and the Reds get out of jail as Harris clears from inside his own 22.
71.00: The Blues are penalised inside their own half. Harris kicks for touch as the Reds look to score a bonus point try.
73.00: The Blues are penalised for obstruction just 15m from their own line. Harris lines up a shot at goal.
74.00: Harris bangs over the penalty to extend the visitors' lead.
77.00: The Blues work through phases inside Reds territory. They move towards the Reds' 22 as James Hanson is penalised for offside. Anscombe kicks for touch.
78.00: The Blues get within 5m of the line as the Reds are penalised for offside. The home side take it quickly but are held up.
80.00: The hooter sounds as the Reds are able to affect a turnover and punt the ball into touch.
The final score is Blues 11 (8) Reds 23 (15).
Scorers
Blues
Tries - L. Braid
Pen - G. Anscombe
Con -
Drop -
Cards -
Reds
Tries - D. Ioane, L. Morahan, D. Shipperley
Pen - M. Harris 2
Con - M. Harris
Drop -
Cards -
Match Officials
Referee: Craig Joubert
Assistant Ref 1: Jonathan Kaplan
Assistant Ref 2: Glen Jackson
TMO: Ben Skeen
Teams
Blues
15. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. George Moala, 13. Rene Ranger, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 11. Rudi Wulf, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Peter Saili, 7. Luke Braid (c), 6. Daniel Braid, 5. Filo Paulo, 4. Ali Williams, 3. Charlie Faumuina, 2. Tom McCartney, 1. Tevita Mailau.
Reserves: 16. James Parsons, 17. Pauliasi Manu/Angus Ta'avao, 18. Liaki Moli, 19. Chris Lowrey, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Michael Hobbs, 22. Benson Stanley.
Reds
1. Ben Daley, 2. James Hanson, 3. James Slipper, 4. Rob Simmons, 5. James Horwill (c), 6. Beau Robinson, 7. Liam Gill, 8. Scott Higginbotham, 9. Will Genia (vc), 10. Ben Lucas, 11. Rod Davies, 12. Mike Harris, 13. Digby Ioane, 14. Dom Shipperley, 15. Luke Morahan.
Replacements: 16. Albert Anae, 17. Greg Holmes, 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison, 19. Jake Schatz, 20. Eddie Quirk, 21. Nick Frisby, 22. Anthony Faingaa.
.jpg)
