The Queensland Reds’ destiny is in their own hands as they head into the final round of the inaugural Super Rugby Next Gen competition after a strong 33-26 win over the fancied NSW Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium today.
The prized victory over their interstate rivals gives them a 2-0 record and the chance to win the title if they can overcome the Western Force in Perth next Saturday.
Hooker John Grenfell, loosehead prop Kingsley Uys and flanker Ilan Cloete were amongst the Reds standouts, with Dre Pakeho playing a composed new role as backline conductor from flyhalf.
The Reds led 14-12 at half-time. Despite falling behind 19-14 in the second half their patience and discipline held them in good stead as they scored three tries in ten minutes and held on to win.
Try-scorer Grenfell was playing his first match in 12 months after recovering from a serious hamstring injury.
“I was pinching myself all week that I was back, to be honest,” he said. “I was super excited and a big thank you to everybody at the Reds who helped to get me back.
“The boys were really good up front; we only lost one lineout and managed to score from our first maul of the game.
“That’s my first time beating the Waratahs in a Reds jersey, and it’s good to be building heading into next week. We have to travel well over there and get the job done. We’re not going to take them lightly at all.”
When the Super Rugby Next Gen competition was launched to align with the Rugby Championship U20s in April, most people would have been guilty of anticipating a hot and steamy February afternoon at Ballymore for the eagerly anticipated clash between the Queensland Reds and NSW Waratahs.
The reality was quite different; an array of puffer vests, hoodies and raincoats in the crowd as the mercury barely reached 20 degrees and the drizzle remained constant.
Despite the trying conditions, Australia’s top elite pathways players put on an impressive display, showcasing outstanding technical skills more akin to a dry and fast pitch.
Following their 97-5 victory over the Western Force last week, it was the visitors who scored first through lock Aron Brennan.
It was the catalyst for the Reds to hit back immediately with some lovely link play in attack leading to a break from prop Uys who offloaded deftly to scrumhalf Alfie Bowman just outside the 22. Just two phases later, Uys deputised at the base of the ruck as a series of quick hands led to Nic Lynagh scoring the Reds’ first. Lynagh converted his own try from out wide.
Reds hooker Grenfell spent 10 in the bin for a cynical tackle following a desperate try-saving tackle from fullback Tom Howard, one of multiple times he showed his pace and persistence in the first half, but the Reds’ defence held firm despite the disadvantage.
Centre Treyvon Pritchard soared high to grasp an AFL-style speccy from a Waratahs up-and-under, immediately stepping three players upon his return to the grass, but there was still time for a try apiece in the final minutes of the first half.
Waratahs tighthead Edwin Langi got over, before a clever back-and-forth between Grenfell and converted flanker Cloete saw the openside slide over in the south-eastern corner. Lynagh’s conversion from the sideline drew an enthusiastic round of applause from the home fans, the Reds leading 14-12 at half-time
The Waratahs scored first in the second half with winger Tom Farr-Jones crossing out wide, but the Reds remained patient despite being starved of both possession and territory and made the most of it just before the hour mark when their chance came.
A huge scrum from loosehead Uys gave the Reds the platform for a maul from the subsequent penalty, and they executed with aplomb as Grenfell sat at the back as his pack drove forward 15 metres.
The Reds finally bucked the trend to score the first consecutive tries of the afternoon, slick hands through the backs ending with Lynagh throwing the last pass to winger Taione Taka.
A big Uys sidestep got him into space. Fellow forwards Teina Graham, Cloete and Trevor King linked beautifully to put substitute Josh Takai over for Reds’ fifth try.
A late second try for Farr-Jones wasn’t enough for the Waratahs, the Reds impressing immensely on an afternoon of top-quality pathways Rugby.
Super Rugby Next Gen, Round Two | Ballymore Stadium | Sunday ,February 15
Queensland Reds Next Gen 33
Tries: Lynagh, Cloete, Grenfell, Taka, Takai
Conversions: Lynagh 4/5
Def
NSW Waratahs Next Gen 26
Tries: Brennan, Langi, Farr-Jones (2)
Conversions: Dene 3/4
Half-time: Reds 14-Waratahs 12
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
Queensland Reds: 1. Kingsley Uys, 2. John Grenfell, 3. Levi Slater, 4. Will Ross, 5. Kenneth Harris, 6. Teina Graham, 7. Ilan Cloete, 8. Angus Kelly, 9. Alfie Bowman, 10. Dre Pakeho, 11. Takone Taka, 12. Treyvon Pritchard, 13. Frankie Goldsbrough, 14. Nic Lynagh, 15. Tom Howard. 16. Charlie Hollyman, 17. Jacob Job, 18. Trevor King, 19. Will Pascoe, 20. Charlie Brosnan, 21. Cooper Stewart, 22. Josh Takai, 23. Ryan Heaton
NSW Waratahs: 1. Nick Hill, 2. Tyler Maybery, 3. Edwin Langi, 4. Aron Brennan, 5. Isaac Fonua, 6. Luca Cleverley, 7. Marshall de Maitre, 8. Toby Brial, 9. Sam Blank, 10. Harrison Dene, 11. Tom Farr-Jones, 12. Zach Fittler, 13. Leo Jaques, 14. Tom O’Hara, 15. Louis Fenwick. 16. Dylan Simmons, 17. Harper Strachan, 18. Lewis Wilson, 19. Ed Baxter, 20. Cooper Green, 21. Hwi Sharples, 22. James Archer, 23. Brody Folkes
