The Queensland Reds have fallen 47-19 to the NSW Waratahs in a disappointing loss tonight at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri.
The match was still in the balance at 26-19 midway through the second half before three converted tries by the Waratahs earned them the victory in Round Two of Super Rugby AUS.
Waratahs fullback James Hendren ran in his fourth try in the final minutes to complete the scoring.
The Reds trailed 21-12 at half-time but began the second term exactly as they wanted when Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler speared over in the corner. He completed an attack started by a fine Dre Pakeho run and the final pass from Seru Uru.
“It was an extremely disappointing performance. We were very wasteful,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“We didn’t apply pressure. We allowed the Waratahs to find traction and they got the momentum.
“We now have a week to work on ourselves and go to Perth next weekend and produce a much better performance.”
A panoramic view of the Santos Festival of Rugby site at Narrabri’s Dangar Park. Photo: Erick Lucero
Kiss was full of praise for the rugby vibe in Narrabri and the crowd turnout for seven hours of rugby with men’s, women’s, sevens and a Classic Wallabies clinic for kids on the menu.
“What the Santos Festival of Rugby does for a regional centre like Narrabri is fantastic. We’ve felt the feeling for rugby in the town and in the crowd,” Kiss said.
The Reds lost prop Massimo De Lutiis before half-time with a foot injury. Captain and flyhalf Jock Campbell left the field at the 51-minute mark when he strained a hamstring when chasing winger Sid Harvey.
Centre Dre Pakeho slipped into No.10 for the remainder of the game.
Young flanker Tom Robinson again impressed with his workrate. Backrow partner Brial also had strong impacts. Winger Tim Ryan was also busy.
The Waratahs opened the game at pace with fullback James Hendren completing a 60m team attack with a chip-and-regather for a try after just two minutes.
The Reds quickly levelled with an excellent try. Well-rehearsed play put the halfback Kalani Thomas in position to deal an inside ball to backrower Joe Brial for the try.
It was a popular try for local fans considering the Brial family’s Narrabri heritage. Brial’s father Michael was in the crowd watching at the ground where he began his journey to becoming a Wallaby in the 1990s.
The Reds found themselves down again at 14-7 but again had a quick response.
This time it was winger Lachie Anderson dotting down out wide after Brial and Thomas had been instrumental in the lead-up.
Anderson was replaced midway through the first half after reeling out of a tackle made on a NSW player.
Hendren’s second try put the Waratahs up 21-12, a score carried into half-time.
Just before half-time, a superb try-saving tackle by Reds fullback Heremaia Murray cut down Waratahs winger Leo Jaques just metres from scoring in the corner.
NSW Waratahs 47Â
Tries: James Hendren 4, Jamie Adamson, Jackson Ropata, Clem Haloholo
Conversions: Sid Harvey 6
DefeatedÂ
Queensland Reds 19
Tries: Joe Brial, Lachie Anderson, Matt Faessler
Conversions: Jock Campbell 2
Half-time: Waratahs 21-Reds 12
Venue: Dangar Park, Narrabri