0
Reds rusty in trial win
January 20, 2007
QUEENSLAND posted a 31-3 victory over an amateur Manu Samoa outfit at Carrara Stadium on the Gold Coast but the lopsided scoreline flattered the Reds less than a fortnight out from the start of the Super 14 competition.
Coach Eddie Jones and his players have plenty of hard work ahead before they host the Hurricanes on February 3 in their Super 14 season-opener at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds dropped far too much ball, blew several try-scoring opportunities and at times looked a rabble in attack, especially during the first half when they went to the break with a 12-3 lead against a Samoa squad that copped a pasting in its recent tour of South Africa.
League recruit Clinton Schifcofske, playing his first rugby match in Australia, hardly touched the ball in the first half but made some telling runs in the latter part of the match, setting up a 63rd minute try for David Croft.
Skipper John Roe was a shining light for the Reds, scoring their opening try – which didn't arrive until the 25th minute – and pulling off some bone-rattling tackles. The Samoans put first points on the board after six minutes through five-eighth Lolo Lui's drop goal and although they never really threatened, the visitors were relentless and didn't back down from the tough stuff.
AAP