Queensland’s Reds have beaten Melbourne’s Rebels 25-13 in the Super rugby AU qualifying round to earn a place against the Brumbies in the Grand final next week.
The Reds appearance in next week’s grand final is their first in Super rugby for nine years as they hosted the 2011 Grand final and beat the Crusaders to win the title.
The Reds outscored the Rebels by three tries to one in the match but at half time the scores were deadlocked at 10 all.
The Reds were the first to score in the match when in the 8th minute Jordan Petaia intercepted a pass from Matt Toomua and raced for the line beating Marika Koroibete. Former Rebel James O’Connor was successful with the conversion.
Reds playmaker Toomua got the Rebels on the scoreboard a minute later with a penalty kick and then a quarter of an hour later O’Connor kicked his first penalty of the match to give the Reds a seven-point lead again.
The Reds looked set to go in for the break with a 7 point lead but two minutes before half time the Marika Koroibete caught the Reds napping when he collected the ball from a ruck and dashed for the try line.
Toomua landed the conversion which leveled the scores at the break.
The Reds lost Petaia through an HIA test during the break and then the Rebels lost captain Dane Haylett-Petty after a couple of minutes of the second half.
O’Connor scored the first points of the second half with a penalty. The Rebels first points came from Reece Hodge’s boot after regular kicker Matt Toomua was forced from the field with what looked like a groin injury.
The points from Hodge’s boot turned out to be the last points that the Rebels would score in the second half. They came close to scoring a try but Billy Meakes passed the ball forward when they had set up the overlap.
The Reds were more clinical and added tries by Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and later by Filipo Daugunu who’s 74th minute try effectively sealed the result. O’Connor was successful with Salakaia-Loto’s try but missed on Daugunu’s try.
Next week the Brumbies will be hosts of the Super Rugby AU Grand final as they finished on top to the standings.
Final score Queensland Reds 25(10) Melbourne Rebels 13(10)
Scorers
Reds
Tries -J.Petaia, L.Salakaia-Loto, F. Daugunu
Pen -J.O’Connor 2
Con – J.O.Connor 2
Drop –
Cards –
Rebels
Tries – M.Koroibete
Pen – M.Toomua, R.Hodge
Con -M.Toomua
Drop –
Cards –
Match Officials
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 1: Damon Murphy
Assistant Ref 2: Jordan way
TMO : Brett Cronan
Teams
Queensland Reds
1. Harry Hoopert , 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa , 3. Taniela Tupou , 4. Angus Blyth , 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto – Souths , 6. Liam Wright © , 7. Fraser McReight , 8. Harry Wilson , 9. Tate McDermott , 10. James O’Connor , 11. Filipo Daugunu , 12. Hamish Stewart, 13. Jordan Petaia , 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia , 15. Jock Campbell
Replacements: 16. Alex Mafi , 17. JP Smith , 18. Jack Straker , 19. Tuaina Taii Tualima , 20. Angus Scott-Young , 21. Moses Sorovi , 22. Bryce Hegarty , 23. Hunter Paisami
Melbourne Rebels
15 Dane Haylett-Petty (c), 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Bill Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Matt To’omua, 9 Frank Lomani, 8 Isi Naisarani, 7 Richard Hardwick, 6 Brad Wilkin, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Matt Philip, 3 Jermaine Ainsley, 2 Jordan Uelese, 1 Cameron Orr
Replacements: 16 Efitusi Ma’afu, 17 Cabous Eloff, 18 Matt Gibbon, 19 Michael Stolberg, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Theo Strang, 22 Andrew Deegan, 23 Campbell Magney