0
The St.George Reds equal their longest winning streak in the professional era with a historic and thrilling bonus point 39-30 victory over 2010 champions the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
The dominant six tries to three win is the Reds eighth straight in Brisbane – ninth at Suncorp Stadium - and ensures they remain at the top of the Super Rugby ladder heading into next week’s blockbuster matchup with interstate rivals the NSW Waratahs.
Only once in the professional rugby era, in 1996, have the Reds reached the six game milestone but that is exactly what head coach Ewen McKenzie and his men achieved tonight in front of a large and vocal home crowd.
“The win ranks highly in terms of character. That’s six wins in a row and we are ticking the boxes on those little pieces of history,” McKenzie said.
“The character flooded through in defence and attack and our willingness was there for 80 (minutes). We’re pleased, especially given the week we’ve had. It was a great result.
“To be able to come back (from South Africa) and play the opposite gameplan from the week before against one of the great sides speaks volumes for the players, and their ability and willingness to adapt.
“Tonight was probably more of our preferred game style. In the end we accumulated points as we went along, kept the pressure on and ran them around.
“We kept trying to play. That’s the Queensland spirit and the spirit of the team. We like to attack.”
The Reds produced an enthralling first half of football to lead 17-13 before turning on the afterburners to pile on four second half tries, two to flyer Luke Morahan.
Morahan was one of many standouts but it was again flyhalf Quade Cooper who gained Man of the Match honours with the talented playmaker bringing both maturity and razzle-dazzle.
The 2010 Super Rugby champion Bulls craft their trade on their ability at set-piece, led by captain Victor Matfield, although it was the Reds who won the battle up front with lock Rob Simmons a handful in the lineout and props James Slipper and Ben Daley dominant in the scrums.
The platform was set in the opening half with tries to Cooper and flanker Radike Samo although the Reds were unlucky not to lead by more due to some desperate and enthusiastic Bulls defence.
Morahan almost produced a stunning solo length of the field try where he received the ball near his own line, kicked downfield and regathered, before being pulled down just short. Faingaa went within inches but was denied with a desperate tackle over the tryline forcing the ball loose.
A frantic final 10 minutes leading into halftime saw tries to Reds flanker Samo and Bulls winger Bjorn Basson, along with a Cooper drop goal and Steyn penalty.
Samo’s five pointer came from a Cooper surge down the left flank, before playmaking partner Will Genia switched the attack with a beautiful long ball to Faingaa and eventually the large Fijian.
Morahan scored both five-pointers from beautifully constructed scrum plays while Digby Ioane gave the Reds a comfortable second half lead before producing the electric “turtle” post-try celebration, much to the delight of all those in the crowd who braved the wet conditions.
Skipper James Horwill capped off the memorable and historic evening when he crashed over from close range.
The Reds are back at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday against the Waratahs. Tickets are now on sale and can be purchased at Ticketek.com.au.
Reds 39 (2 Luke Morahan, Quade Cooper, Radike Samo, Digby Ioane, James Horwill tries, Quade Cooper 3 cons, drop goal) def Bulls 30 (2 Bjorn Basson, Danie Rossouw tries, Morne Steyn 3 cons, 3 pens)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by tic
