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Wallabies star injured as Reds fall short to Chiefs
Taniela Tupou has limped off with a calf injury and the Queensland Reds’ horror record against New Zealand Super Rugby rivals worsened in a frustrating loss to the Chiefs.
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The Chiefs won 27-25 – and the penalty count 15-8 – at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, the visitors constantly rewarded at scrum-time and around the ruck.
The loss was the 22nd in their last 24 games against New Zealand opposition for the Reds, who are reigning Australian domestic champions.
It saw the Reds (7-3) drop out of Super Rugby Pacific’s top four, the Chiefs (7-3) jumping them in a crucial race for a home final.
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan described the win as “ugly but important”, denying claims his team were purposely wheeling the scrum.
“We feel we’ve got the best scrum in the competition,” he said.
“I know the man in the middle with the whistle will get a lot of flack for raising his arm.
“(But) we’re the most disciplined team in the competition (in terms of penalties conceded); there’s no need to wheel or play silly buggers.
“We scrum square over the ball … the Reds have a good scrum but we wanted to see if they’re prepared to scrum for longer. Turns out sometimes they weren’t.”
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Reds coach Brad Thorn bit his lip when asked his thoughts on the scrum battle.
“I thought there was some walking around there but it is what it is, it’s fish and chip paper,” he said.
“I want to show credit and respect to them … there were some little moments we didn’t capitalise.”
One came when All Black Quinn Tupaea ran from his opposite wing to somehow stop Fraser McReight scoring a go-ahead try.
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Instead, they raced down the other end, Jock Campbell was yellow-carded for a deliberate knockdown – his hand’s reflex movement unluckily glancing the ball – and then No.8 Pita Gus Sowakula scored to put the visitors ahead 27-18.
Once again, the deliberate knockdown is farcical.
Reflex action, hands up, on the spot, it’s a joke #REDvCHI
— Christy Doran (@ChristypDoran) April 29, 2022
A red card for Chiefs substitute Samipeni Finau for a marginal high shot on McReight opened the door for the Reds with five minutes to play.
Hunter Paisami scored almost immediately but from the restart was penalised for obstruction, bumping into five-eighth Lawson Creighton in a seemingly innocuous incident.
A Chiefs knock-on from the scrum offered them one last opportunity after the siren, only for the Reds to be penalised for another ruck infringement.
It capped a dour game that featured excessive kicking in a first half that finished 13-13 and with Wallabies scrum cornerstone Tupou hobbling to the sideline. The Reds are hopeful it’s a corked calf and not a muscle tear.
Livewire halfback Tate McDermott set up Josh Flook for an opportunistic try but the captain again lamented one that got away.
“A lot of those decisions are 50-50 … but it’s over and we’re bigger than blaming that loss on the ref,” a gutted McDermott said.
“We had opportunities to ice that game and didn’t take it.
“Next week (against the Highlanders) is a massive game for our season … we’v e lost two on the trot and that one really hurt.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Forget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
21 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
14 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. Those praising him are a joke.
14 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
21 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
21 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
14 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
1 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
1 Go to commentsObscene that SA haven’t been knocking
1 Go to commentsChances of Blackadder being injured seem too high to give him serious consideration. ABs loosie combination finally looked good with 2 committed to tackling and clearing rucks in the centre and Ardie roaming. Hoskins/Ardie together would force one of them into where they don’t excel and don’t get to use their talent, or require a change in tactics. If we continue to evolve last years systems I would take Papali’i and Finau at 6 and 7 (conceding that Blackadder will be injured) and Ardie at 8.
21 Go to commentsArdie’s preferred position 7? Where do they get these writers from? I've no idea where he's playing in Japan, but the previous two seasons he wore the 7 jersey exactly twice.
17 Go to commentsNot good to hear Ulster described as “financially troubled”. Did not think it was getting to that level. I would hope the Irish system of spreading players of talent away from Leinster would kick in now. Better to have a Leinster fringe player with Ulster or Connacht, then getting only a few games a season in Dublin. 10, for example, would seem to be a case for spreading the talent. I would not be at all adverse to a SA man coming in as head coach/DR. Ludeke is worth trying. Certainly got a long and impressive coaching career at this level…..149 games in SR, then Japan, 30 years experience. And Ulster’s ledger of successful SA coaches and players is on the positive side. Is talk of Ruan Pienaar interested in coming back as a coach…..could be a good combination with Ludeke. And Pienaar and family would have no settling in to do, one would judge. He loved life in Ulster when there, by all reports.
1 Go to commentsSome thoughts to consider here, Sam. Thanks
2 Go to commentsI think he is right, SBW is respected in RSA. The guy who never stood up is a worm. Sseems lots of NZ SBW hate, you do the crime do the time.
14 Go to commentsAfter missing the curfew, the player was simply too “Shagged” to stand up.
14 Go to commentsVernier is probably the best 12 in the world though she has some English competition these days . I am nervous for England because it is unpredictable France and who knows which team will turn up, but they have not yet shown anything that should worry England, Saturday could be a different day. I would be more confident against the BFs.
1 Go to commentsWhat a difference Rodda and Carter made. Rodda has been out for ages but he is really the only world class lock in Australian rugby. Him, Carter and Beale made a huge difference on the weekend. If only they had a few decent props they’d be a much more dangerous team. Hamish Stewart was excellent last week as well. His carrying has improved significantly and has to be next in line after Paisami at 12 for the Wallabies. He’ll benefit hugely with Beale at fullback, there’s just no better communicator in Australian rugby than him and his experience will make a huge difference for the Force. No one sees space like Beale and he’s still sharp. I can see Force making a late charge into the top 8 if they can get some consistency.
2 Go to commentsRodda will be a walk up starter at lock. Frost if you analyse his dominance has little impact and he’s a long way from being physical enough, especially when you compare to Rodda and the work he does. He was quite poor at the World Cup in his lack of physicality. Between Rodda and Skelton we would have locks who can dominate the breakdown and in contact. Frost is maybe next but Schmidt might go for a more physical lock who does their core work better like Ryan or LSL. Swain is no chance unless there’s a load of injuries. Pollard hasn’t got the scrum ability yet to be considered. Nasser dominated him when they went toe to toe and really showed him up. Picking Skelton effects who can play 6 and 8. Ideally Valetini would play 6 as that’s his best position and Wilson at 8 but that’s not ideal for lineout success. Cale isn’t physical enough yet in contact and defence but is the best backrow lineout jumper followed by Wright, Hanigan and Swinton so unfortunately Valetini probably will start at 8 with Wright or Hanigan at 6. Wilson on the bench, he’s got too much quality not to be in the squad. Paisami is leading the way at 12 but Hamish Stewart is playing extremely well also and his ball carrying has improved significantly. Beale is also another option based on the weekend. Beale is class but he’s also the best communicator of any Australian backline player and that can’t be underestimated, he’ll be in the mix.
8 Go to commentsWhy do people keep on picking Ardie at 7 when he's a ball in hand 8? A modern 7 is the lead tackler and ruck clearer which isn't his strength.
21 Go to commentsSly dig there at Ireland’s propensity to back a non-Irish coach. Must really want it. I’m not sure I like ROG very much. Comes off as unpleasant. But he’d gain my respect if he took a number 7 ranked team and turned them into WC winners. Not even back-to-back. Argentina? Scotland? Or how about Wales? France would be too easy, no?
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