The Queensland Reds set up a trophy bout in the Super Rugby Under-16s with a runaway 62-15 win at Ballymore Stadium today.
The 10-try dominance against the ACT Brumbies means the young Reds will carry a 3-0 record into next Saturday's title decider against the NSW Waratahs U16s at Ballymore.
An audacious try ignited from behind their own line was today's highlight.
The Reds were leading 22-5 late in the first half when setting a scrum with their backs on their own tryline.
Rather than a kick to touch, flyhalf Raiden Tapuai decided on a long pass behind his own goalposts. The connection with Will Jessiman was true and the fullback dashed 30m before a backhand pass to flying winger Daniel De Swardt who completed a length-of-the-field try that covered 105m.
Tapuai, the son of former Sunnybank premiership-winner Rex, showed multiple facets to his game. A long ball put winger Neilo Manu Ma'u over for the opening try and a smart sweep around the back put him in position to put Jessiman over.
A 60m clearance on a penalty kick was not the only impressive play from Tapuai's boot either.
The Reds had command at scrum and lineout as the game took shape. Flanker Hugh Stanbury helped himself to two tries from mauls driven off lineout wins.
The Reds forwards relished some running. Midway through the first half, lock Zaine Gurney bullocked 35m and No.8 Toby Bretherton added another 45m to set up a Digby Ioane try.
Ioane's defence was a feature. He shot out of the line to twice force handling errors. On the second occasion, the ball bobbled into his arms to give him an untouched run to his second try.
The Reds will have to be alert in every area against the Waratahs because three clearcut wins over the Western Force, Victoria and the Brumbies have not put them under any great stress.
Next Saturday will be a bumper day at Ballymore with a Emerging Reds U14s match followed by interstate clashes for the Reds U15s and U16s against NSW.
QUEENSLAND U16s 62
Tries: Digby Ioane 2, Hugh Stanbury 2, Neilo Manu Ma'u, Will Jessiman, Daniel De Swardt, Joseph Keke, Hugo Vukovich, Chris Williams
Conversions: Daniel De Swardt 6
Def
ACT BRUMBIES U16s 15
Tries: Nathan Maier, Kaleb Matthews
Half-time: Reds 29-Brumbies 5
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
