The Queensland Reds today fell 54-45 in Super Rugby Under-16s after a high-quality win by the Reds U15s on the same interstate menu in Sydney.

The double-header at Forshaw Park was a contrast of emotions for the two Queensland sides against their NSW Waratahs rivals.

The U16s showed real character after the Waratahs had run them ragged for a 40-0 lead inside 27 minutes.

A pick-and-drive try by hooker Xavier Hill approaching half-time was the first fightback sign for 40-7.

Replacements Dylan Goodwin, Will Robinson and Noah Gaffney all scored early in the second half to tighten the scores to 40-26.

That 26-0 run of momentum from the Reds gave the side energy. Goodwin and hooker Gaffney, with another well-steered rolling maul, both scored again late.

The Waratahs made big attacking gains out wide but their ill-discipline in conceding three yellow cards gave the Reds a chance to make inroads of their own.

Earlier in the day, the Reds U15s made the corrections they were chasing to gain redemption for a painful 38-37 loss to the Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium in the first leg of their series.

This time, it was the Reds who nailed the big moments. Tries either side of half-time turned a 12-10 deficit into a 25-12 lead.

Sharp-moving fullback Koby Walters was the key. On half-time, a big step inside propelled him over for a vital try.

This followed his earlier 40m break when strength and a fend shed two defenders. He positioned support Digby Ioane perfectly for the try.

The Waratahs closed to 32-19 and had the feed to an attacking scrum deep in the Reds quarter.

A big Reds shunt secured a penalty and saved a tricky situation. Another key moment won.

Even when the Waratahs closed again to 32-26 late in the game, the Reds had the answer.

Prop Stanley Grellman threw into the lineout, guided a fast-moving rolling maul and clinched the game 39-26 with his try.

Skipper Hugh Stanbury was again strong while centre Will Jessiman was twice tackled into touch just short of the tryline.

NSW Waratahs U16s 54

Tries: Asher Chapman 4, Finn Hannon 2, Kaiasi Talakai, Fletcher Hermann

Conversions: Wilson Ruthven 7

Def

Queensland Reds U16s 45

Tries: Noah Gaffney 3, Dylan Goodwin 2, Xavier Hill, Will Robinson

Conversions: Charlie Meredith 5

Queensland Reds U15s 39 

Tries: Stanley Grellman, Hugh Stanbury, Thomas Gibb, Digby Ioane, Koby Walters, Joseph Keke

Conversions: Zac Zeremes 2, Daniel De Swardt

Penalty Goal:  Sammy Samson

Def

NSW Waratahs U15s 26 

Tries: Ethan Mullins 2, Cooper Hayward, Urijah Brown

Conversions:  Billy Bowen 3

Venue: Forshaw Park, Sydney