The Queensland Reds rolled into Free State on the back of six losses and the Cheetahs on the back of one win from four – the last time both teams won was against the Force. JOC was back from injury for probably the twelfth time this season, Horwill was in for McDuling and Hanson for Fainga’a – whoever put the injury hoodoo on the Reds can take it off anytime they like.
The Match
The first half started quickly with a good driving maul from the Cheetahs and some strong defense by the Reds. Genia’s boot and eye was in quite quickly but for a bloke that played AFL, Hunt’s kicking didn’t set the world on fire. The Reds’ injury curse struck in only the second minute with Curtis Browning leaving the field after his knee was bent awkwardly in a tackle (torn ligament), and Adam Korczyk replaced him.
Lachie Turner’s restart after a Cheetah’s penalty goal was picked up by Rayno Benjamin (on for Rhule who injured himself in warm up) who scooted down the sideline with Francois Venter in support. A tackle from Hunt stopped a sure try.
The Cheetahs had quite a few opportunities to score as they took advantage of kicks in play to build momentum and make line breaks. Venter’s passing outside to Hendricks saw them threaten several times but they didn’t really capitalise on the number of opportunities they had. The scrums were an impressive affair as the Reds remained steady, and hopefully the scrum yips from previous matches were well behind them. However, Genia’s passing at the breakdown is too slow again, allowing opposition teams to reset ready for the Reds attack and the Cheetahs certainly took advantage of this weakness.
It was only a matter of time before the Cheetahs crossed. Quick tap from Joe Pieterson after a mark saw the ball go to Willie du Plessis (on for van Wyk) who took off with Benjamin in support. Reds defense was caught napping as Benjamin crossed and Pieterson converted successfully. The Cheetahs defended their line brilliantly in the shadows of half-time and the Reds had to be satisfied with a penalty to go into the break at 10-3 down. The Cheetahs suffered key injuries in the first half to Heinrich Brussow and Coenie van Wyk. Brussow’s injury in particular was disappointing as he has had a good season to now.
The Reds hit back quickly in the second half as James O’Connor dodged defenders to offload to Adam Korcyzk who crossed for his first Super Rugby try. O’Connors successful conversion saw scores level at 10-10. Korcyzk is holding his own well at this level after having a good NRC season in 2014 – his lineout work is solid and his mongrel at the breakdown will develop with time (particularly playing with Thomson and Gill he will learn to play in the grey with confidence).
The second Reds try came off the back of solid forward work (my favourite kind) and Genia finding O’Connor who offloaded beautifully to put Samu Kerevi over the line. JOC’s kick pulled to the left and the Reds were in front 10-15.
Very truly I get that you need to give your forwards a breather and allow them to do the prop-trot, but the aimless kicking is just too, too much – kick for position or to ease pressure inside your own half. Both sides were guilty of this tonight (and most teams all season) – I miss having a Chris Latham who could chase his own kick or kick for touch so masterfully.
A penalty against JOC for a dangerous tackle saw the Cheetahs go for the corner and a powerful driving maul from the Cheetahs saw Boom Prinsloo crash over. Pieterson converted successfully to take back the lead 17-15. In the play that followed both teams threw everything they had at it – the result was not a done deal and risks were taken and loose passes abounded. Solid defense by the Cheetahs saw some great ball off the back of Reds scrums wasted as Thomson and Genia paused too long and gave the home team time to reset. The Reds put together 15 phases inside the 22 and gave Nick Frisby a chance at a drop goal. He slotted it easily to take the score to 17-18. But in life there is no such thing as sure thing (apart from a lay in a brothel) and the Cheetahs put together a beautiful play as Venter found Sadie on the outside who ghosted through a gap and offloaded to Benjamin who was eventually put into touch by a try-saving tackle from Kerevi.
Final score 17-18. Finally, a win on the road for the Reds. Finally, a win.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The drop goal from Nick Frisby, named out of position yet again, turned a loss to a win for the Reds
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
James O’Connor set up two tries and worked the backline into holes.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby watch
The competition for openside flanker will be very intense as Liam Gill turned in yet another good performance. Samu Kerevi had a great game in both attack and defense.
[/one_third]
The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Home Team: 17
Tries: Benjamin, Prinsloo
Conversions: Pieterson 2/2
Penalties: Pieterson [/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Away Team: 18
Tries: Korczyk, Kerevi
Conversions: O’Connor 1/2
Penalties: O’Connor 1/2
Drop Goal: Frisby 1/1 [/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
