Reds Win Thriller on the Road in Perth

A last-gasp try by winger Filipo Daugunu wrestled a pulsating 28-24 victory for the Queensland Reds in Perth tonight.

The success over the Western Force came inside the final 40 seconds of a seesawing SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific match to end Culture Round on a high for rugby fans.

With just over 90 seconds to play, vice-captain Fraser McReight elected to go for the win with a kick to touch rather than opt for a shot at penalty goal that might have levelled the scores.

Centre Dre Pekeho’s strong 30m left-foot kick to touch put the Reds in position for a final lineout nine metres from the Force tryline.

The lineout was won by comeback man Liam Wright. A scurry by replacement halfback Kalani Thomas put the Reds on the front foot and the alert Daugunu zeroed in with a quick pick-and-go off the ruck to score the matchwinning try.

“We trust in our game plan. We know we can just make things happen,” flanker Wright told Stan Sport post-match after playing 17 minutes in his first game in nearly eight months after overcoming a shoulder injury.

“Obviously, we have to get better in controlling errors but if we get ourselves at the right end of the field I think there is always a way to find a score. I’m really proud of our team.”

Stout defence repelled numerous Force surges in the Reds quarter with forwards Seru Uru and Angus Blyth holding up lock Sam Carter over the line in the second half.

The final score completed a thrilling match. The Reds pegged back an early 14-0 deficit to be tied at 14-all approaching half-time.

A Ben Donaldson penalty goal gave the Force a 17-14 half-time lead before the Reds responded immediately after the break to lead 21-17.

Fullback Heremaia Murray scooted down the right touchline with a fending run after he’d got a quick pass from winger Lachie Anderson who gathered a kick.

Murray found standout halfback Tate McDermott with his pass before centre Josh Flook completed the 65m counter-attack by scoring his second try.

At the 68-minute mark, Force flanker Carlo Tizzano scored his second try of the game from close range to put his side ahead 24-21.

The Reds bench was vital to the result with prop Massimo De Lutiis, flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Tim Ryan and Thomas producing key plays.

The Reds’ two first half tries were slick.

McDermott spied room in behind the Force defensive line for the first when he dabbed a left-foot grubber through for Flook to score.

The Reds had scored two tries in three minutes when McDermott turned an inside ball to flanker Seru Uru on the edge of a ruck to send him spearing through. Lock Ryan Smith was the linkman who put Lynagh over for the try.

The Reds will look to tidy up the imprecise parts of the performance when they turn their attention to playing the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday week.
 
QUEENSLAND REDS 28
Tries: Josh Flook 2, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Lynagh
Cons: Tom Lynagh 2, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Kalani Thomas
 
Defeated
 
WESTERN FORCE 24
Tries: Carlo Tizzano 2, Darcy Swain
Cons: Ben Donaldson 3
Pen Goals: Ben Donaldson
 
Half-time: Force 17-Reds 14
Venue: HBF Park, Perth