The horror show continues for the Queensland Reds, losing their third straight game against Kiwi opposition and losing yet another star player to a scary injury.
Friday night’s 27-19 Super Rugby Pacific loss to the gutsy Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium damages Queensland’s hopes of hosting a home playoff, stalled in fifth place on the ladder and in danger of being leapfrogged by the resurgent NSW Waratahs.
The Reds had a golden opportunity to punish the Highlanders when reduced to 13 men in the first half and while they took advantage initially through a Jock Campbell try the visitors rallied to trail by just two points at the break.
No.8 Harry Wilson was then stretchered off early in the second half when he was tackled legally by Billy Harmon and face planted nastily into the turf.
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Wilson was out cold before being tended to by medical staff and was able to muster a thumbs up to the crowd while leaving the field on a stretcher.
The Reds are already without injured Wallabies Taniela Tupou, James O’Connor and Hunter Paisami.
Halfback Folau Fakatava then proved the match-winner for the Highlanders after coming off the bench to replace captain Aaron Smith.
The excitement machine laid on a try for Scott Gregory with a lovely sleight of hand before grabbing his own five pointer to give his side the decisive lead.
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It gets even harder for the Reds next week as they eye a daunting clash with the first-placed Blues at Eden Park.
Reds captain Tate McDermott was a dejected figure in his interview with Stan Sport’s Michael Atkinson.
“A bit of déjà vu really. Kicking was poor the whole night and discipline – I’m just sick of saying the same stuff every week,” McDermott said.
“Trying really hard not to be negative but after watching that and playing in that game it’s pretty hard not to.”
O’Connor is some chance to return against the Blues but McDermott said there were deeper issues to resolve.
“You can make all the excuses you want, James is a class 10 and showed his worth for us in the past but I think we’ve just got to do more to support Lawson (Creighton).
“We’re really letting him down. He kind of got thrown to the wolves there, he hadn’t play any minutes at 10 three weeks ago and then bang, when the Kiwis come over he’s in the hot seat.
“So myself included, we’re not helping him out and we’ve got to do so much better.”
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are joined by Morgan Turinui in a special episode from Marvel Stadium. They talk upcoming Wallabies fixtures, Super Rugby Pacific and start the backline for the Weird Cat XV
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