The Queensland Reds finally broke Australian rugby’s Trans-Tasman duck 40-34 in a riveting 11-try spectacle in Townsville.
The 33-3 lead at half-time included a 21-0 surge in the 20 minutes when Damian McKenzie’s red card unbalanced the numbers.
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So what did we learn from the Reds' win over the Chiefs?
1 TATE McDERMOTT
The Reds scrumhalf produced his best match of the season against the Chiefs in a five-star audition for Test time against France in July.
The quality of the Reds’ ruck ball gave McDermott the platform to run and scheme and the Queenslanders were a different side because of it.
He ran a strong diagonal line off a scrum and delivered a perfect flat pass to put centre Isaac Henry through a gap to the tryline.
You knew he delivered the pass in the face of the defence because he passed a split-second before McKenzie clattered into him with a high tackle.
2 PHYSICAL, PRECISE AND PASSIONATE
The intensity to the Reds’ defence and the workrate of the whole side really set a standard from the kick-off that had been missing for two games.
Time and again, we have seen Aussie sides make line breaks or get into scoring positions only to squander those chances with ragged finishing.
The Reds were clinical, notably in the SuliasiVunivalu try with the crispness of passing from Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, James O’Connor and Bryce Hegarty.
You could see how the Reds found their mojo too with urging and extra efforts.
There was a great moment too with Harry Wilson and Vunivalu so up about Isaac Henry’s second try that they clashed heads when jumping into the pile on.
3 WHAT IT MEANS TO THE REDS
One hard fact of Brad Thorn’s four-season reign as Reds coach was a single win over Kiwi opposition until last night.
This was the next step his side had to take because the 29-28 win over the Blues in Brisbane in 2019 was looking lonely.
The Reds can’t win Super Rugby Trans-Tasman but they are definitely shaping who plays in the final.
They ruined the Chiefs’ chances and can do the same to the Blues when they visit Suncorp Stadium on Friday night.
4 FORWARD LEADERS
Thorn has often spoken of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto as a potential Queensland captain. He showed why in this match with a commanding display to back up the strong voice he has within the team.
The big lock’s silky pass in the lead-up to the Vunivalu try, his nine strong ball-carries and his physical authority were all crucial.
He still had the urgency in the 80th minute to make the key covering tackle that forced a turnover when the Chiefs were trying to conjure a miracle.
He had plenty of allies in the pack.
No.8 Harry Wilson’s big burst upfield in the opening minutes set the tone, prop Feao Fotuaika had a huge first half, prop Taniela Tupou anchored a rock-solid scrum, backrower Angus Scott-Young was everywhere and hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa was right into the contest.
5 VUNIVALU KEEPS GETTING BETTER
Suliasi Vunivalu has made a rapid transition to rugby from the NRL, one of the quickest in fact.
His balanced running to kick out of a tackle on the way to the tryline was excellent. He’s roaming off his wing and looks confident to get involved at anytime.
It was great to see wing partner Filipo Daugunu in top form after an indifferent season.
And a last going to centre Isaac Henry. What a way to perform in your first starting role...good direct running with smart angles and two tries.
