The disconsolate Queensland Reds were kicking themselves on Saturday night in Melbourne after letting a golden opportunity for a rare trans-Tasman win slip against the Hurricanes.
It appeared as though Brad Thorn’s Reds were set to make a major statement for Australian rugby as they raced to a shocking 17-0 lead after half an hour with Hamish Stewart and the excellent Fraser McReight touching down.
The ill-disciplined Hurricanes had lost two players to the sin bin in the feature match of Super Round but rallied superbly to score the next 30 points for a 30-17 win.
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The Aussies have two more shots to post a morale-boosting win on Sunday at AAMI Park when the Brumbies play the Highlanders and the Rebels tackle the Crusaders.
Connor Vest’s yellow card for a high shot on Hurricanes captain Ardie Savea proved costly as the visitors followed their inspirational skipper to score four tries.
Centre Bailyn Sullivan made amends for his yellow card with a brace while powerful prop Tyrel Lomax kept staking his claim for an All Blacks recall with his own double.
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“It’s been a theme all year, discipline’s been an issue,” dejected Reds captain Tate McDermott told Nine and Stan Sport.
“That plus the inability to hold the ball for long periods of time, just basic skill errors. I was proud of the first half but we were a different side after the break and that’s really disappointing.”
The halfback made a telling statement when asked by Roz Kelly as to the differences of playing against a Kiwi side.
“I guess we got away with a lot playing the Aussie teams,” McDermott said.
“I’d hate to look at our error rate. If you give the Hurricanes that much possession you’re asking for trouble. The second half was nowhere near good enough.”
Former Wallabies lock Justin Harrison said it was a familiar painful feeling for Australian observers.
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“The resignation in Tate McDermott’s voice at the end of the match – ‘we’ve done it again, we’ve let ourselves down.’ 17-0, they’re going to arrive on Monday and watch that video and be kicking themselves. They were up for it but just not able to sustain it.
“We just want to see some greater 80 minute performances.”
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