The Queensland Reds fell short 26-17 in their match-up against the ACT Brumbies in the Super Rugby Under-19s at Ballymore Stadium today.
The Reds played their best rugby in the second half but handling errors proved costly when sustaining more pressure might have produced strike-back tries.
It was disappointment again for the Reds who lost to the Brumbies in last year's Super Rugby U19s final against the Brumbies on the same field.
Blond-haired University of Queensland No.8 Angus Kelly was the Reds standout forward.
A trysaving tackle on Brumbies hooker Ewald Kruger was typical of his work in defence and he thoroughly deserved his own pick-and-go try early in the second half.
The Reds scored the opening try when a mauling effort off a lineout produced a try for flanker Ezalle Matautia.
The 7-0 lead was shortlived with the Brumbies dominating the rest of the half for a 19-7 lead at the break.
Brumbies flyhalf Chace Oates, a UQ product who headed to Canberra, showed a full range of skills with an offload looped around a defender, a booming boot that gained 50m on one occasion and a kick return to set up his side’s second try.
The Kelly try got the Reds within striking distance at 19-12 but it was the visiting team which struck next.
The Reds fought with determination and replacement back Jackson Hill was rewarded with a five-pointer with less than three minutes on the clock.
Winger Ilan Cloete was the Reds’ most impressive back. Normally a centre for Easts, his direct charges on the wing or in the middle regularly gained ground. One charge out of his own quarter relieved the pressure when the Brumbies threatened in the second half.
Flanker Joe Stoddart put him in the clear for a long burst in the lead-up to the Hill try.
Reds fullback Tom Howard had limited opportunities but one chip-and-regather showed his skill.
The Reds will regroup and take aim at the NSW Waratahs U19s next Sunday in Narrabri as part of the Santos Festival of Rugby.
ACT Brumbies U19s 26
Tries: Ewald Kruger 2, Nate Hepi, Billy Hansen
Conversions: Chace Oates 3
Def
Queensland U19s 17
Tries: Ezalle Matautia, Angus Kelly, Jackson Hill
Conversion: Charlie Bird
