RECAP: The Queensland Reds will enter the finals with confidence after a 45-24 win over the Fijian Drua.
The Reds had to work hard after their half-time evaporated thanks to Manasa Mataele's hat-trick.
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Mataele scored two quick tries in the second half before the momentum swung back to the Reds.
Their rolling maul was on fire, with the hosts scoring three tries from it, including a double to Matt Faessler.
Back-rower Fraser McReight was very influential as his three-turnover performance won him the Frank Ivory Medal for player of the match.
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Reds 45-24: The Fijian Drua think they have scored late but referee James Doleman instantly calls obstruction.
Isoa Tuwai dives over the line but there's a clear hole created by Kitione Salawa and the Reds hang onto the bonus point.
Reds 45-24: Seru Uru is hunting for a deserved double as he looms large for player of the match.
The flanker creates another chance, but can't find his fellow Fijian Ben Volavola.
Reds 45-24: No denying the Reds this time as Richie Asiata gets in on the fun.
It's the hosts' third rolling maul try as the replacement comes on and gets a five-pointer.
Reds 40-24: Vaiuta Latu tries to keep the onslaught going for the Reds as they hunt for a bonus point.
Lachie Anderson almost scores himself after a grubber and go, but Seru Uru creates the chance with the steal and offload for the young back-rower, who goes close but is held up over the line according to the TMO.
After some confusion, the try is disallowed but the Reds get the penalty for offside in the build-up.
Reds 40-24: Seru Uru adds to the Reds lead as they look to seal the game.
Lachie Anderson creates the try with a powerful burst, offloading up to Uru to dive over for a well-deserved try.
Reds 33-24: The Drua are working their way back in the game as the ruck remains a mess.
A desperate intercept from Tim Ryan halts their attack, who nearly sprints away himself if not for an ankle tap.
Reds 33-24: The Reds are hunting for more points as they look to close out the game.
The Drua force the error at ruck time and go back up the field, but knock it on.
Reds 33-24: The Reds are back up and running after another rolling maul try to Matt Faessler.
It's one-way traffic as they roll their way over with ease, Faessler there to dot it down.
Reds 28-24: Harry Wilson and the Reds scrum does the damage and the hosts are in front.
The Reds pack powers over from the five metre line as the number eight re-gathers and scores
Drua 24-21: It's an uphill battle to stop the Fijian Drua as they keep pounding on the pressure.
They come up with another turnover and Kemu Valetini goes for goal, but it misses to the left.
Will they regret that? Absolutely as Carter Gordon thumps the ball 70 metres and forces Issak Fines-Leleiwasa into touch on his own 22.
Drua 24-21: Manasa Mataele has a hat-trick and the Drua are on fire!
They break through the Reds after a costly slip gives them back possession before Mataele gets the perfect bounce to recover a cross field kick and dives over the line.
Reds 21-19: Manasa Mataele is putting on a show as the winger gets his second.
Mataele creates something out of nothing, grubbering for himself and re-gathering to score under the posts.
Reds 21-12: Sheer chaos is the only way to describe that try, as multiple ruck turnovers lead to a Drua try.
The Reds stop them on their line but the Drua counter ruck and dive over via Meli Tuni
Reds 21-5: The combo of Filipo Daugunu and Josh Flook is cooking as Flook slices through for a well worked try.
Daugunu throws the short ball to Flook, with the Drua left all at sea after biting on the ball going out the back, providing the space for the outside centre to sprint clear.
Reds 14-5: How about the impact from Filipo Daugunu with his first touch?
Daugunu runs a great line off his centre partner, Josh Flook, close to the line to dive over the line for a five-pointer.
Shout out to Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for the clutch one-handed catch from the lineout on the 22.
Reds 7-5: Hunter Paisami limps from the field as the inside centre looks done for the night.
Paisami looks to have aggravated a knee injury and comes straight from the field after an awkward tackle.
Reds 7-5: The Reds finally find a way over the line and it's Matt Faessler via the rolling maul.
The lineout is cooking tonight and their maul takes advantage, with Faessler piloting it home.
Drua 5-0: The Queensland Reds are still looking for points as they start to level up the territory stat.
Their execution is costing them, though, as they concede their fifth turnover in the first quarter as their attack struggles to click.
Drua 5-0: A golden chance goes begging for the Reds as Treyvon Pritchard's kick for touch goes dead in-goal.
It comes after the Drua gift the Reds a penalty for offside of a clearing kick, completely shifting field position.
Drua 5-0: Manasa Mataele shows there's still plenty of pace left in the legs as he snatches an intercept and runs 60 metres.
Mataele latches onto Carter Gordon's ball for Lachie Anderson, showing enough to beat the cover defence.
Great hands from Seru Uru has the Reds on the attack as they quickly work inside the Drua's 22.
Hunter Paisami puts the grubber in for Josh Flook, who is unable to re-gather.
The Drua have been camped deep inside the Reds half as they look for first points.
Seru Uru stops a promising half-break with a pilfer penatly but the hosts are still locked inside their half.
The Reds have rallied well in defence to stop a dangerous Fijian Drua attack.
The visitors kick to their goal-line after another early penalty, with the Reds forcing the mistake and cleaning up the loose ball.
Carter Gordon has the ball and hand and this game is underway! The Reds are trapped early as Kitione Salawa comes away with the pilfer penalty near halfway.
Both teams take part in the Welcome to Country ceremony as part of the Reds' Indigenous Round.
Tries: Faessler 2, Daugunu, Flook, Wilson, Uru, Asiata
Cons: Gordon 5/6, Volavola 0/1
Pens:
Tries: Mataele 3, Tuni
Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 1/2, Valetini 1/2
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Reds-Drua clash in Brisbane.
A late change for the Drua: captain Temo Mayanavanua is out and will be replaced by Joseva Tamani in the starting side. Mesake Vocevoce comes onto the bench in place of Tamani, with Tuidraki Samusamuvodre the new skipper.
The rain has been constant throughout the week but it looks clear (finally) for a Reds game, suiting their electric outside backs.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Seru Uru, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Treyvon Pritchard
Replacements: Richie Asiata, George Blake, Massimo De Lutiis, Vaiuta Latu, Joe Brial, Louis Werchon, Ben Volavola, Filipo Daugunu
DRUA (1-15): Meli Tuni, Zuriel Togiatama, Samuela Tawake, Isoa Nasilasila, Joseva Tamani, Vilive Miramira, Kitione Salawa, Elia Canakaivata, Issak Fines Leleiwasa, Kemu Valetini, Taniela Rakuro, Isikeli Rabitu, Tuidraki Samusamuvodre (c), Manasa Mataele, Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula
Replacements: Sairusi Ravudi, Peni Ravai, Mesake Doge, Mesake Vocevoce, Etonia Waqa, Isoa Tuwai, Simione Kuruvoli, Virimi Vakatawa
Referee: James Doleman
Assistant Referees: Fraser Hannon, Dan Moore
TMO: Glen Newman
The Reds' clash with the Drua's will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
