Reds fight back to break Sunwolves hearts

Tokyo - Flyhalf Hamish Stewart kicked a last-minute penalty goal to give the Reds a 34-31 win Saturday over the Sunwolves for the Australian side's first win of the Super Rugby season.

As it happened: Sunwolves v Reds

The Reds overcame a 16-point deficit at half-time thanks to three tries in 10 minutes and four in the second half.

Brandon Paenga-Amosa scored two of the Reds tries.

Before the match at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo, players from both teams linked arms in a circle for a silent tribute to the 49 victims of the Christchurch, New Zealand mosque shootings on Friday.

Earlier Saturday, officials cancelled the match that was to be played at Dunedin because of the attacks. The Christchurch-based Crusaders were to play Dunedin-based Highlanders, but the match was called off and both teams will receive two competition points.

New Zealand Rugby said the decision to cancel the Dunedin match was taken after a meeting with teams, venue management, and police and community organizations.

"Advice from police and venue management was that the fixture could go ahead. However, with strong agreement from both teams we have made the final call not to proceed as a mark of respect for the events that have occurred in Christchurch," New Zealand Rugby's chief rugby officer Nigel Cass said in a statement.

Crusaders chief executive Colin Mainsbridge said the franchise, players and community were deeply shocked by Friday's events.

"Yesterday's horrific attacks have left us all feeling stunned," he said. "We will now regroup and make arrangements for the team to return home as soon as possible to be back in their community and with their families."

A crowd of more than 20 000 had been expected for the Dunedin match.

In next weekend's action, the Sunwolves host the Lions in Tokyo (Saturday, March 23), while the Reds entertain the Brumbies in Brisbane (Sunday, March 24).

Scorers:

Sunwolves

Tries: Jamie Booth, Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, Dan Pryor

Conversions: Hayden Parker (4)

Penalty: Parker

Reds

Tries: Liam Wright, Brandon Paenga-Amosa (2), Harry Hoopert, Tate McDermott

Conversions: Hamish Stewart (3)

Penalty: Stewart

Teams:

15 Jason Emery, 14 Gerhard van den Heever, 13 Sione Teaupa, 12 Michael Little, 11 Hosea Saumaki, 10 Hayden Parker, 9 Jamie Booth, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Dan Pryor, 6 Ben Gunter, 5 Tom Rowe, 4 Uwe Helu, 3 Hiroshi Yamashita, 2 Atsushi Sakate, 1 Pauliasi Manu

Substitutes: 16 Jaba Bregvadze, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Asaeli Valu, 19 James Moore, 20 Amanaki Mafi, 21 Keisuke Uchida, 22 Rikiya Matsuda, 23 Semisi Masirewa

Reds

15 Hamish Stewart, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Samu Kerevi (captain), 12 Duncan Paia’aua, 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Isaac Lucas, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Harry Hockings, 3 Ruan Smith, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 JP Smith

Substitutes: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Harry Hooper, 18 Feao Fotuaika, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Caleb Timu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Teti Tela, 23 Filipo Daugunu