For the first time in its’ five years of existence, the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights have captured the Queensland-Saitama Shield after holding off a fast-finishing Queensland Reds team in Kumagaya to win 33-26.
Each of the previous four encounters has been a narrow victory for the Queensland Reds, and again it was just one converted try the difference in the third clash between the Reds and Wild Knights in Japan, with the Reds twice held up over the tryline.
“We respect the Wild Knights and value this partnership immensely, and they are a team who have become conditioned to winning through being successful consistently over many years,” Queensland Reds Head Coach Vern Cotter said.
“We came here to win, and are disappointed not to do so, but will take the experience and move forward.
“Some of our young players really stepped up to the occasion and showed us that they have the ability to take the next step in their own game. I was pleased with the impact that Lachlan Hooper had off the bench, while young Kingsley Uys carried with authority.”
“There were absolutely elements of our game that will need to improve, and the players and coaching staff are well aware of that, but the beauty of this tour is that we now get the chance to play two matches in Italy to close out the month. Those matches will pose different challenges as well as different opportunities for this group and are important as we build towards 2027.”
Matt Faessler, who became the 132nd player to Captain Queensland, played the full 80 minutes and was amongst the Reds best, while Pakeho continues to grow and benefit from the China Airlines Reds International Tour after missing Super Rugby Aus with injury.
“They came out firing and got on top of us early,” Pakeho said post-game. “They are a very quick team across the board and the stuck to their gameplan really well. We knew it was coming but they had class across the board and excellent skills; they were fast and they were physical.
“I’m disappointed with the result, but it is good to be back from injury and to get back out there with the boys. Playing outside Turbo (Tom Lynagh) is enjoyable, I just feed off him and we try and make each other’s jobs easier.
“I was impressed with the impact off the bench and it’s good that we’ve got another chance to get better next week.”
An early Charlie Brosnan charge down try saw the Reds hit back immediately after the hosts had opened the scoring from a maul, Tim Ryan scoring the Reds second to again hit back after a second Wild Knights try. A penalty goal and third try of the afternoon in the five minutes before half time saw the visitors lead 22-14 at the break.
The Wild Knights scored the first eleven points of the second half, through two penalty goals and an unconverted try, to open up a convincing 19-point lead.
Replacement loose forward Hooper hit back with eleven minutes remaining, scoring his first try in Maroon on his first capped Reds appearance, before a cross-field kick from Tom Lynagh saw Dre Pakeho score out wide to reduce the margin to seven points with five minutes remaining – but the Reds were unable to add to their tally, the Wild Knights claiming a historic victory in front of their home fans.
Hooper and Uys were joined by Cooper Stewart, Taione Taka, Will Ross, Nicholas Conway, Mosiah Christian and Coby Miln as Queensland debutants.
Queensland and Saitama share a sister state relationship, and the rugby relationship stretches back to a match between the states in Kumagaya in 1991 when Michael Lynagh was Queensland captain. The Queensland-Saitama Shield has now been contested five years in a row, with three matches in Kumagaya and two at Ballymore.
The Queensland Reds next match is against Italy XV in Treviso on Friday, November 20.
