The Queensland Reds have kept the good times coming under Les Kiss with a 53-26 win over the Melbourne Rebels.
At 33-7, the Reds looked home before a Rebels charge left them nervous, only for the class of Les Kiss' side to prove the difference.
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So what did we learn?
The Reds’ forward pack delivered a near-perfect first-half display to race away with the game.
It was Sevens-esque as they threw around the ball and kept creating space for each other.
There were six offloads between the eight in the first half, contributing to all five tries.
Seru Uru was incredible, tormenting the Rebels with his unique blend of size and skill. He’s found his role in the pack after transitioning to the second-row. Peni Ravai and Liam Wright were also superb in setting up the victory.
Rebels coach Kevin Foote must be scratching his head as to why his side keeps making life hard for itself.
Again, the side had to recover from a large deficit, bursting out of the sheds in the second half after trailing by 26 at the break.
Foote got a great return from Tuaina Taii Tualima, Isaac Kailea and Sam Talakai as he went to his bench early.
They gave themselves a chance to claim a shock upset but then gifted two tries to the visitors, due to unnecessary passes inviting pressure and gifting tries to the Reds.
With the Hurricanes next, the Rebels can’t afford a similar start if they want to be competitive with the best in the comp.
Everything Fraser McReight touches in 2024 turns into gold.
He had a hand in four tries across the night, finding himself popping up in the right places to put his fellow starts over.
On top of that, he came up with three clutch turnovers to go past Josh Kemeny’s as the leading turnover-winner in the competition.
For a Reds size that thrives on quick play from 1-15, McReight is the hidden playmaker behind the trio of McDermott, McLaughlin-Phillips and Campbell
The Reds set up their win in the opening minutes with a clear show of intent.
No one would’ve blamed them for taking the points when the chance presented within two minutes. That’s not Les Kiss’ style of play.
The decision to go the line was inspired as Seru Uru dived over the line for the try.
It showed the growing confidence of a team backing their attacking talent to drive them home, which needs to continue throughout the year.
Reds and Australian Rugby fans will be hoping Isaac Henry’s injury is nothing major as the centre limped from the field with the green whistle in his mouth.
It was an innocuous incident, with Henry slipping as he tried to kick the ball.
Post-match, Stan Sport commentator and Wallabies legend Tim Horan indicated it could be an ACL injury, which would be heartbreaking for the 25-year-old.
He’s managed just seven games for the Reds in two years, filling in for Hunter Paisami perfectly.
