Backrow dynamo Oliver Smith scored a hat-trick of tries today as the Queensland Reds Under-16s demolished Victoria 69-0 in Canberra.
The real test for the young Reds in the Super Rugby U16s will come at Ballymore Stadium on the next two Saturdays against the ACT Brumbies (October 3) and the NSW Waratahs (October 10).
The Reds have rattled up 21 tries in all in the lopsided affairs against the Victorians and the Western Force (64-12) to build confidence and cohesion.
Brothers Rugby Club product Smith relished his start at openside flanker ahead of Hugh Stanbury.
Smith's link play and swift work at the back of rucks paid off regularly as his orange headgear bobbed up everywhere. At the 27-minute mark, he scooted shortside from a quick pick-up at the back of a ruck. He delivered an inside ball to Nudgee College schoolmate and halfback Tom Gibb and stayed alert for the return pass and score.
His second was a more routine pick-and-go try near the line.
For his third try, Smith took the ball at the back of a lineout 22m out, dummied and used his acceleration to dash back behind the lineout to score a fine solo try against non-existent defence.
The backrow is balanced best with a lineout leaper like Kane Kinnaird at blindside flanker and a bullocking No.8 but Reds coach Scott Gale was unafraid to experiment today.
He played his two non-stop opensides together for the final period. The "Smithbury" pairing juggled Smith at flanker and Stanbury at No.8 and they were busy as expected.
There were classy moments throughout.
Midway through the first half, fullback Will Jessiman ran back a kick return, linked with centre Digby Ioane and backed up inside. Two smooth right-foot sidesteps completed the try over 65m.
Just after half-time, winger Neilo Manu Mu'a dabbed a kick ahead, regathered and popped a pass to put fullback Jessiman over again.
Lock Siosifa Helu and Kinnaird both won 5m lineouts that the Reds' direct forward play turned into tries.
QUEENSLAND REDS 69
Tries: Oliver Smith 3, Will Jessiman 2, Toby Bretherton, Neilo Manu Mu'a, Daniel De Swardt, Kellam Joseph, Tom Gibb, Jacob Andrews
Conversions: Daniel De Swardt 7
Defeated
VICTORIA 0
Half-time: Reds 40-Victoria 0
Venue: Viking Park, Canberra
