The Queensland Reds stepped up and completed a sweep over the ACT Brumbies with a 30-21 win in Brisbane.
It was a quality win for a Reds side still in touch with the top three teams as they look to mount a late charge.
Watch every second of the 2026 Super Rugby Pacific season live and on demand via Stan Sport.
So what did we learn?
It’s fitting that the difference in this game was three penalties - a rarity of the Reds’ game plan under Les Kiss.
In fact, all five penalties from the Reds have come against the Brumbies and ultimately proved pivotal in their clean sweep.
A lot is made of Kiss’ attack-hungry strategy, but wins like this show his teams are comfortable taking the points when they are needed. Alternatively, they are more than happy to back themselves and try for more, turning down a penalty that resulted in Josh Flook’s try.
The Reds are slowly finding their form at the end of the season, with a Super Point loss to the Blues the only thing stopping them from three straight wins over top six teams.
In matches like this, it’s Test-quality players that shine, and no one embodied this more than Fraser McReight.
McReight was a pest at ruck time, coming up with three steals/ruck penalties to go with 21 tackles without a miss.
His soldier in arms, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, followed him into battle. The Reds lock has lifted this season, almost taking Lachie Shaw’s early try as a personal shot as he quickly muscled up and got one back over the young lock.
For the Brumbies, Rob Valetini was his typical bustling best, delivering the five-pointer that started the mini-comeback.
The Brumbies have suddenly gone from home final hopes to fighting for their season as the toil of their departures starts to show.
They were playing out of the skin to start the season but are now looking like a side missing a host of test talent either to injuries or overseas.
Next week’s clash against the Western Force is a danger game, with the Force heading into the game in prime form following another away win.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips can’t afford to sit back and wait for injuries in 2027 as he continues to shine in Super Rugby.
McLaughlin-Phillips backed up his strong game against the Blues with an impressive effort against the Brumbies, squaring the defence up for a great break in the 20th minute.
Kalani Thomas was also excellent, backing up the form that earned him a Wallabies debut with some excellent kicks, including the grubber for Josh Flook’s try.
He said during the week he’s looking at his options and it’s easy to see why there would be so many buyers, with the Reds gifted for tens in Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh, while Finn Mackay is killing it in the U20 Rugby Championship.
David Feliuai is quietly building a strong resume for a Wallabies recall.
Feliuai was a battering ram and stood up against the midfield of Hunter Paisami and Josh Flook. His hard-nose carries were the main reason for the Brumbies mini revival, twice setting them in good position, helping himself to a crucial try that gave them the lead.
The ex-Rebel has been favoured by Joe Schmidt in the past, selected for his maiden squad in 2024.
If he can finish this year with more performances like this, the centre will figure again in discussions.
