Share

Reds hold on for victory

Brisbane - The Reds ended a frustrating season on a high note with a thrilling 38-36 win over the Highlanders in Brisbane on Saturday.

But the six-tries-to-five win wasn't enough to lift the Reds into the semi-finals after an inconsistent season which saw them surprise with their good form for most of the campaign only to stumble in recent weeks.

Led by Wallabies hopeful Quade Cooper, the Reds completely dominated the Highlanders, who finished the season with just three wins, early in the match, but then had to come from behind in the dying minutes to snatch victory.

Up 24-3 at the break, with Cooper having a hand in all four of their first-half tries, the Reds found themselves down 36-31 late in the game before Cooper converted Poutasi Luafutu's second try in the 78th minute to regain the lead.

Highlanders's fullback Israel Dagg then had a penalty attempt from beyond halfway to snatch the win after the final siren, but his kick fell just short.

Cooper bamboozled the Highlanders with some outrageous passes in the first half, and it was his quick hands that led to Digby Ioane, in his 50th Super rugby match, opening the scoring in just the second minute with a converted try.

In the 12th minute, the Reds had a second try when their sustained pressure culminated in Radike Samo reaching over out wide with his right hand after a Cooper pass.

Cooper was tormenting the Highlanders and decided to produce a party trick for the third try, his 20m back of the hand pass enabling Peter Hynes to cross with ease in the 19th minute.

When Cooper himself was able to reach and place the ball on the try line in the 33rd minute - the try confirmed by the video official - the Reds had a commanding lead at the break.

But the Highlanders produced an inspired comeback to run in five tries in the second half, two from Fetu'u Vainikolo.

His first, in the 64th minute, gave the Highlanders an unlikely lead as they stunned the home side.

Luafutu came off the bench to put the Reds back in front with his first try in the 68th minute, before Jason Rutledge jammed the ball against the upright to put the New Zealanders back in front in the 72nd minute, setting up a frantic finale.

Scorers:

Reds:
Tries: Q Cooper, P Hynes, D Ioane, P Luafutu x 2, R Samo
Conversions: Q Cooper (4)

Highlanders:
Tries: I Dagg, C King, J Rutledge, F Vainikolo x 2
Conversions: I Dagg (4)
Penalties: I Dagg

Teams

Reds:
15. Ben Lucas, 14. Peter Hynes, 13. Will Chambers, 12. Ben Tapuai, 11. Digby Ioane, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia (captain), 8. Leroy Houston, 7. Jake Schatz, 6. Scott Higginbotham, 5. Van Humphries, 4. Radike Samo, 3. Greg Holmes, 2. Sean Hardman, 1. James Slipper

Substitutes: 16. James Hanson, 17. Jack Kennedy, 18. Ezra Taylor, 19. Poutasi Luafutu, 20. Ed Quirk, 21. Brando Va’aulu, 22. Richard Kingi

Highlanders:
15. Israel Dagg, 14. Ben Smith, 13. Kenny Lynn, 12. Jason Shoemark, 11. Fetu’u Vainikolo, 10. Matt Berquist, 9. Jimmy Cowan (captain), 8. Steven Setephano, 7. Alando Soakai, 6. Adam Thomson, 5. Hayden Triggs, 4. Josh Bekhuis, 3. Bronson Murray, 2. Jason Rutledge, 1. Chris King

Substitutes: 16. Peter Mirrielees, 17. Jamie Mackintosh, 18. Joe Tuineau, 19. John Hardie, 20. Scott Cowan, 21. Robbie Robinson, 22. James Paterson
 
We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
25% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1473 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2252 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE