The Queensland Reds have got 2008 Super 14 campaign off to a perfect start with a solid victory over the Highlanders, 22-16 at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on Friday.
With new coaching staff and a host of new faces the Reds showed that the disappointment of 2007 was well behind them as they dealt with a dogged Highlanders outfit.
Captain John Roe again led the way for the Reds with a try on either side of half time and Clinton Schifcofske shone in one of his best games for the Queenslanders.
The Reds started the stronger and it wasn’t long before they crossed the stripe when, a scintillating run by new recruit Digby Ioane allowed Roe to burrow his way over from close range after 16 minutes.
Schifcofske piloted over the the conversion for a 7-0 lead.
Schifcofske then stretched the homeside’s advantage to 12 points with a try after a strong bustling run, although there were question marks as to whether Schifcofske managed to ground the ball.
The decision sparked the visitors to life and after nearly scoring on several occasions flyhalf Daniel Bowden slotted a penalty to narrow the deficit to nine points, 12-3 at the break.
Bowden collected another three points for the Highlanders with his second penalty and with the Reds beginning to tire it looked as if the New Zealanders were back in the contest.
Although another John Roe try after 61 minutes proved to be the decisive blow and Schifcofske made no mistake in stretching the lead to 19-6.
Minutes later a Paul Williams penalty closed the gap to 19-9 and left the Highlanders with a sniff of victory. Their persistence soon paid off as a Reds mistake at a line-out five metres from their own line spilt to Highlanders No.8 Adam Thomson who pounced on the bobbling ball for a try. Mike Delany stepped up to slot the and narrow the gap to just three points, 19-16, with six minutes remaining.
Although the Reds kept their cool and a last minute Schifcofske penalty sealed a deserved win.
