The Queensland Reds have managed to end the Waratahs home ground winning streak and solidifying their place in the Finals in a months time with a 28-21 victory in Sydney.
After an even first half, the game was anyone’s for the taking with a tied score of 14-all.
Watch every game of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The Waratahs started the game strong, with tries scored by Henry O’Donnell and Jake Gordon, but the Reds followed their effort and Tate McDermott and Richie Asiata scored, leaving the game tied at the end of the first half.
The air was pensive following a nasty head knock to Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at the end of the first half, where he was carried off the field on a stretcher.
Suaalii was going to make a tackle and was accidentally hit in the head by Andrew Kellaway’s knee.
Waratahs coach Dan McKellar confirmed it was just a concussion and he was back at home recovering.
Over the game, Josh Canham was involved in everything. In the first half, he was denied a try and then subjected to a lifting tackle by Daniel Botha, which led to the prop's yellow card.
On the Waratahs side, Taniela Tupou showed perseverance to get back to the form that made him a Wallabies regular.
He won a big scrum in the second half, and then scored off the scrum, bringing the Waratahs back in front.
Unfortunately, Tupou found himself off for 10 mins, after receiving a yellow card for head to head contact on Dre Pakeho.
Following this, the Reds got back in front, with a combination of tries by Josh Nasser and Lachie Anderson giving them the lead.
Filipo Daugunu put the kick through 40 metres out for his winger, Anderson, who collected the ball and dived over for the winning try.
The Waratahs had one last chance to send the game to extra time but dropped the ball.
It was a fitting win for the Reds, who had the majority of the ball throughout the game, 59%, with 505.4 meters carried.
The win sees the Reds stay in fourth place on the ladder, while the Waratahs need wins to keep their finals hopes alive.to win to keep their finals hopes alive and their perfect home record intact.
Meanwhile, the Queensland Reds can all but cement their finals spot with a win tonight.
Tries: O'Donnell, Gordon, Tupou
Cons: Edmed 3/3
Tries: McDermott, Asiata, Nasser, Anderson
Cons: Lynagh 2/2, McLaughlin-Phillips 2/2
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Triston Reilly, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Andrew Kellaway, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Felix Kalapu, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Darby Lancaster
REDS (1-15): Sef Fa'agase, Richie Asiata, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight, John Bryant, Tate McDermott (c), Tom Lynagh, Tim Ryan, Dre Pakeho, Filipo Daugunu, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Massimo De Lutiis, Ryan Smith, Angus Blyth, Joe Brial, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Fraser Hannon
TMO: Richard Kelly
