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Reds vs Highlanders takes: Wallaby wins 10 battle, Australia's best player
By Ben Smith
The Queensland Reds stamped their title credentials on Friday night with a 31-14 win over the Highlanders in Brisbane after coming off the bye last week.
The Reds were too hot to handle for the southerners, exploding out to 19-7 lead by half-time in hot conditions that suited the home side. It was a different Reds side to the one that got hammered 36-12 by the Waratahs in round one, looking very much like Australia’s best team in their second game.
Returning Wallaby flyhalf Carter Gordon made his Reds debut, producing a promising performance in his homecoming, while a handful of Reds role players made a big difference.
Here are quick takes after the Reds’ statement win over the Highlanders.
Gordon vs Millar
Friday night’s Suncorp clash saw returning Wallaby Carter Gordon face off against Highlanders kick machine Cam Millar, and the two engaged in kicking warfare from the onset. After 25 minutes there were 26 kicks between them, one a minute. And neither was as accurate as needed, with Gordon shooting a banana kick into touch on the full and Millar gifting away possession in attacking field position.
But Gordon came into the game just after the half hour mark looking great running the Reds’ attack shape. A nice passage ensued with Gordon squaring up and finding centre Josh Flook behind a screen runner, who put Joe Brial into the hole. Tim Ryan scored in the corner for a decisive blow 19-7 before half. Gordon’s timing and direction had the Reds’ attack looking far superior.
With Tavatavanawai on fire in the second half, Gordon rushed off the line from a scrum play to shut down the bulldozing No.12. Although the Highlanders scored later in the passage, Gordon did a stellar job on defence.
In the end it was Gordon who put together a great performance to pilot the Reds, and took the honours in this one-on-one matchup.
Big Jim creates midfield headache
The Highlanders were outplayed on Friday night, but it was Timoci Tavatavanawai who turned heads during the visitors second half resurgence.
Tavatavanawai put the Landers on his back and carried them back into contention with hard running at No.12. His big moment of the night came from an impossible run, bursting through multiple Reds’ defenders straight from set piece to rip off a 40 metre gain that he had no rights to do. It was pure physicality and downhill running that looked unstoppable. He finished with nine defenders beaten and 63 metres from eight carries.
We know he’s always been one of Super Rugby’s hardest players to tackle, but this was his strongest performance yet at No.12 as a ball carrier. He single-handedly lifted the Highlanders back into contention, although the Reds ultimately ran away with the game. While everyone expects Jordie Barrett to retain the All Blacks‘ No.12 jumper, ‘Big Jim’ offers something special that cannot be ignored.
He was robbed of much international action last year, but Tavatavanawai could be a big asset against the likes of France and South Africa.
McReight shows class again
Reds’ openside flanker Fraser McReight was the highest ranked Australian player in the RugbyPass’ Top 50 Super Rugby players for 2026, ranked at fourth overall. On Friday night he produced another signature performance that powered the Reds to a dominant win over the Highlanders.
He scored a world class try, a sure contender for try of the season, backing up on the inside and out-sprinted the cover defence to pull in the kick. He roamed out wide in the channels and was always a threat, showing great handling and poise to make the right decision. He put Tim Ryan over for a crucial try to go up 19-7, and he almost combined with hooker Josh Nasser on a trick lineout play right on half-time.
He is the world’s best fetcher and he had another multi-turnover game, nabbing three on the night. Although they weren’t at the ruck he still slowed down plenty of ball. He topped the tackle count for the Reds with 16, topped the turnovers won for both sides, added a try and a try assist along with eight carries.
Right now he’s Australia’s best player.
The Reds supporting cast stood up
It will be McReight that deserves most of the praise but a number of players stood up for the Reds to add valuable contributions.
Halfback Louis Werchon had a fantastic game, controlling the tempo and running the attack shape well with Gordon. It was largely an error-free (just one turnover) and efficient game from the No.9 with Tate McDermott out.
Wallaby lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto produced a perfectly timed rush tackle that popped Highlanders prop Rohan Wingham and forced a turnover. Blindside Joe Brial was a big carry option who consistently found go-forward ball. Reserve flanker Vaiuta Latu came on a scored a crucial try with raw power.
While Tavatavanawai produced a great second half, it was Reds’ No.12 Hunter Paisami who dominated the first, sending a reminder to the selectors that he is capable of a lot. He produced a blockbusting display full of strong running that left Highlanders defenders hanging off him.
Fullback Jock Campbell was also one of the unsung heroes. The Reds made a number of last-ditch try-savers and Campbell was often there in the middle of it.
The Reds found valuable contributions across the board that made the difference.
Same old Highlanders
It was a disappointing result for the Highlanders who dropped to 1-2 from their first three games. The ‘off-season’ champions who win the recruitment race every year, were totally dismantled by the Queenslanders in humid and sticky conditions.
It begs the question as to when this strategy will pay off. It looked great in round one when they knocked off the reigning champion Crusaders and they weren’t far off the Chiefs last week, but this was a comprehensive beating and they could not keep up with the Reds. The Crusaders are not who we thought they were, after shipping 50 at home for the first time ever.
There were a few bright cameos in Brisbane. Down 12-0 the Highlanders needed a spark and it was that dynamic hooker Jack Taylor, taking a pick and go and exposing the Reds around the ruck before linking with speedy No.9 Lennox who raced away to score under the sticks. Taylor was probably the best Highlander on the night, producing three offloads and an efficient lineout with 93 per cent completion. Mitch Dunshea also had a big night, but his numbers reflect how much they were under the pump. Otago feel-good story Lucas Casey had a nice try and Tavatavanawai had an inspirational game.
All Black hopeful Caleb Tangitau had a night to forget, which is not what you want to see on the road, but ultimately the story for the Highlanders was just not being able to get anything going. They had only four line breaks, which led to limited opportunities, and lost the penalty count 9-8, leading to fewer easy ins.
It was a younger pack that the Highlanders put out, and they’ll have to be better at laying the platform for their dangerous backs.
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