Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has backed his skipper Fraser McReight after their Super Point defeat to the Blues.
McReight was pinged for a penalty in a split-second moment, allowing Beauden Barrett to kick the game-winner for a 33-30 victory in Christchurch.
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It came after the Reds scored twice in the final ten minutes to send the game into Super Point, scrumhalf Louis Werchon the man to cross right before the siren to level the scores.
A frustrated McReight questioned the decision, arguing for a Blues knock-on given the ball spilled out during the play, while the referee James Doleman deemed was did not enter the ruck correctly.
"S*** happens, doesn't it," gutted Reds coach Les Kiss said, explaining the directive had been for McReight, and only McReight, to look for the pilfer.
"The truth is three or four things could have been picked out (in the decisive moment) and as a seven you have to ****ing look for the opportunities.
"The boys have an appetite and mindset to keep playing, despite the fact it got away from us. We didn't die wondering."
McReight said he would likely analyse the moment in coming days.
"As a No.7 you live for those moments ... you want to put yourself in that position," he said.
For Blues coach Vern Cotter, it was a taste to what expect in the future, set to replace Kiss at the end of the season as the Reds boss moves into the Wallabies set-up.
"The boys said it was one of the toughest games they've played in a long time," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.
"Tight situations need clear heads and that's what we got."
