St.George Queensland Reds fall short against Hurricanes
The St.George Queensland Reds have suffered a 29-14 loss to the Hurricanes in Wellington, in Round 12 of Asteron Life Super Rugby.
Queensland has not won in Wellington in 18 years and were denied again by a Hurricanes outfit that ruthlessly seized its opportunities in a five-tries-to-one performance.
Despite some lapses at their own end, the Reds were well in the hunt when they trailed 17-14 with 15 minutes left.
Winger Chris Feauai-Sautia crossed for the Reds sole try in 50th minute, while fullback Ayumu Goromaru slotted three penalties.
Queensland’s scrum was dominant and Liam Gill was a commanding presence at the breakdown.
Queensland Reds co-interim head coach Nick Stiles said: “We competed well for the majority of the match but after the 65-minute mark we fell away and allowed the Hurricanes to capitalise.
“We were within three points of the home side midway through the second half at 17-14, but we were disappointing in the final period.”
Goromaru announced his return to the starting side with two penalties which kept Queensland’s nose in front of the Hurricanes for most of the first half.
Hurricanes winger Wes Goosen crossed for the hosts’ first try in the 13th minute.
Anthony Fainga’a went close to scoring but spilled a difficult pass after a some build up work down the right wing from Nick Frisby, Ben Matwijow and Feauai-Sautia.
Young centre Campbell Magnay was also a handful for the Hurricanes defenders, with a number of powerful carries making valuable ground.
Magnay created a chance for winger Eto Nabuli down the left flank, which took some desperate defence from the Hurricanes to defuse.
Hendrik Tui’s sin binning and a try to Dane Coles was a rough finish to the first-half for Queensland who trailed 12-6 at the break.
Queensland conceded a try early in the second half but was back in the hunt when Feauai-Sautia split the Hurricanes defence down the middle to score a solo try and narrow the deficit to three points, 17-14.
Their already difficult mission to haul in the Hurricanes finally lost its way when replacement centre
Ngani Laumape scored the match winning try from close range in the 65th minute.
The Reds were hot on the attack in the final minutes of the match, but an intercept saw Hurricanes winger Jason Woodward sprint nearly the length of the field to cross for the home side’s final try, securing them a 29-14 win.
The Reds return home to Suncorp Stadium to host the Sunwolves next week.
HURRICANES 29 (Jason Woodward 2, Wes Goosen, Dane Coles, Ngani Laumape tries; Beauden Barrett 2 conversions) defeated ST.GEORGE QUEENSLAND REDS 14 (Chris Feauai-Sautia try; Ayumu Goromaru 3 penalties)
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