The Queensland Reds have won a spot in the grand final of the Super Rugby Under-16s with their 24-12 win over the Western Force in Perth today.
The match was strongly contested in rainy conditions and the value of a fast start was vital for the young Queenslanders.
The Reds scored their four tries in the first half, including flanker Matti Gill’s opening five-pointer after just four minutes when the size and power of the pack dominated play.
The unbeaten NSW Waratahs have already locked up top spot and hosting rights for a November 1 grand final in Sydney.
The match in Perth was all-important to potentially decide who the Waratahs would play.
The win means the Reds move into second spot on nine points, separated from the Force (nine) by a vastly superior points differential and a head-to-head success.
The Force cannot improve their position with a Round 5 bye while the Victorian U16s pulled off the upset of the series to toppled the ACT Brumbies 31-20 in Melbourne on Saturday.
That result ruled out the Brumbies from a late rally to get into grand final contention.
The table sits at Waratahs (14 points from three games, +195), Reds (nine points from three games, +66), Western Force (nine points from four games, -72), Victoria (four points from three games, -71) and Brumbies (no points from three games, -118).
The Reds and Brumbies U16s meet at Ballymore Stadium on Saturday at 10am as the first leg of a double-header with the Reds playing Japan’s Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights at 1:30pm.
A Watch Party at Ballymore to view the Wallabies vs Japan Test on the big screen will follow the Reds game.
Queensland Reds 24
Tries: Gill 2, Te Whitu, Boakes
Conversions: Meredith 2
Def
Western Force 12
Tries: Oosthuizen, Tiakia
Conversion: Heke