Reds vs Waratahs takes: Gordon the hero again, match-defining moments

Carter Gordon was again a difference-maker for the Queensland Reds, with the fly-half scoring a late double as the home side claimed a 26-17 win over rivals the NSW Waratahs at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium.

It was 7-all at half-time, with Reds backrower Harry Wilson and Waratahs flanker Jamie Adamson trading tries inside the first 20 minutes. Ioane Moananu powered through for the first points of the second half near the one-hour mark, kicking off a stunning point-scoring blitz.

Gordon and Harry Potter traded tries before Isaac Henry brought the teams level with a runaway try in the 70^th minute. Jock Campbell converted that effort to give Queensland the lead once again, but the drama was far from over.

Triston Reilly was incredibly close to a remarkable somersault finish in the corner, but the utility back was deemed to have grounded the ball in touch. The Reds held onto their two-point lead before Gordon helped all but seal the win with another five-pointer.

Here are some takeaways from the Reds versus Waratahs in Brisbane.

Carter Gordon the hero again

Carter Gordon sliced through the Brumbies’ defensive wall to score an 82^nd-minute winner last weekend away to the Brumbies. That moment went viral on social media, as the Reds completed an incredible comeback in the dying stages.

Fast-forward one week and the Wallabies playmaker has again delivered when it matters most for the Reds. Gordon crossed for a double during the final 20 minutes, including a 50-metre runaway try to seal the result.

Jock Campbell had made a half-break into the Waratahs’ 22 before the Reds went wide right in the next phase. With a deflected pass hitting the deck, Gordon did well to gain control while placing the ball down for a 63^rd-minute five-pointer.

But the Tahs hit back almost immediately through replacement Harry Potter, which gave the men in white and Cambridge Blue the lead once again. While the Reds regained the lead through a Jock Campbell conversion, Triston Reilly was inches away from scoring a go-ahead Tahs try.

Reilly’s effort was ruled out, but there was still plenty of rugby to be played.

Enter Gordon, again.

Gordon showed pace and grit, racing away 50 metres to the house.

That capped off a solid performance for the No. 10, who generally kicked well and led the team around the park. There’s absolutely no doubt that Gordon is the form fly-half in Australian rugby, with others in the Reds squad also making their mark.

The moments that changed the match

With the Waratahs down by just a couple points and with seven minutes remaining, Reilly showed incredible skill during a dive for the corner. It was a spectacular effort from the utility back, who had been named to start at outside centre in the absence of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii.

Campbell and Tim Ryan came across in defence, with the fullback getting a shot on Reilly. The Tahs back leapt up and began to celebrate, believing he had done enough to score the go-ahead points at Suncorp Stadium.

Whether you’re a Reds or Waratahs fan, you’ll agree that it was close. Reilly leapt high before placing the ball down with one hand, and jumped up immediately to celebrate – showing nothing but confidence in such a big moment.

With the TMO and on-field referee Ben O’Keeffe ruling the try out, the Tahs still trained on the scoreboard. While it wasn’t to be for them in the end, this match essentially came down to two moments of brilliance.

Reilly was almost the hero for the Waratahs, before Gordon burst up the field for the decisive try late in the piece. This was a match that lived up to the hype, with these huge point-scoring swings adding to the nail-biting finish.

Waratahs fail to turn first-half pressure into points

It’s a bit of a cliché to say the scoreboard is the important statistic in any sport, which is obviously the case, but it doesn’t always tell the full story. While the Tahs dominated both the possession and territory battles during the first half, they went into the sheds level at 7-all.

Wilson scored the opener early in the first term, only for the Tahs to hit back soon after through Adamson shortly after. But an error-riddled second quarter prevented either side from piling on the points and taking control.

The Reds had some opportunities but this is about the Tahs, who looked the more threatening with the ball simply because they had it more. New South Wales had 66 per cent of possession and 59 per cent of territory during the opening 40.

Jack Debrecezni came close to scoring a try during the first half, but Tim ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Ryan produced a try-saving tackle. Sid Harvey had one solid break down the left edge, while Pete Samu and Max Jorgensen also had strong involvements with the ball.

As for the Queenslanders, Carter Gordon and Jock Campbell stood out in attack. The likes of Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Aidan Ross and Seru Uru made their mark in defence – the Reds would’ve been much happier to go into the sheds level, with their defence a key difference.

“Big games like this are going to be won with moments. We’ve got to make sure we take it,” Reds assistant coach Zane Hilton said on Stan Sport during half-time.

Jock Campbell pushes case for Wallabies recall

Campbell hasn’t played international rugby for the Wallabies since coming off the bench against Wales on November 26, 2022. Dave Rennie was the coach at the time, followed by Eddie Jones, Joe Schmdit and soon Les Kiss.

Campbell has captained Queensland in matches against Wales and the British & Irish Lions, and is shaping up as a genuine option for the Wallabies ahead of next year’s Rugby World Cup on Australian soil – especially when you consider the partnership with Gordon.

The 30-year-old made an equal game-high two linebreaks last weekend against the Brumbies in Canberra, and took things to another level against the Tahs. With a team-high 11 carries, game-high two line breaks, and more than 55 running metres, the fullback was simply brilliant.

Gordon put a kick up high for Campbell to chase about five minutes into the contest, and the fullback was able to recover possession inside the Tahs’ 22. Campbell got the ball off to Wilson, who still had plenty of work to do while reaching out to score the first try of the match.

In the second half, Campbell made a half-break, which had the Tahs on the back foot inside their defensive red zone. With the ball going wide in the next phase, Gordon scored a crucial try in the context of the match.

And that’s not all.

Campbell made a try-saving tackle on Triston Reilly with seven minutes left.

The Wallabies are blessed with their depth in the outside backs, with the arrival of former NRL star Zac Lomax at the Western Force and Rugby Australia on a two-year deal adding to that, but Campbell’s form can’t go unnoticed.

Italy-bound No.9 continues to impress

Louis Werchon has worn Queensland’s No. 9 jersey in all four Super Rugby Pacific matches so far this season. With Tate McDermott still unavailable, Werchon has locked down that starting role ahead of one-Test Wallaby Kalani Thomas on the bench.

Werchon, who has signed with Italian side Benetton on a two-year deal ahead of next season’s United Rugby Championship campaign, has linked up well with Carter Gordon in the halves and has been a goal-kicking option as well.

If you go back and rewatch Gordon’s match-winning try against the Brumbies last weekend, keep the match replay on until Werchon’s conversion attempt. The scrum-half added the extras from a tough position, which was a bonus on top of an already superb start to the season.

Coach Les Kiss named Werchon in the run-on side to face the Tahs, with the 23-year-old repaying the faith with another strong performance. Werchon kicked a 50/22 in the 32^nd minute and cleared well as an exit option in general play.