Only one week remains until the Super Rugby Pacific finals series launches and Queensland Reds coach Les Kiss has found some defensive headaches in need of an urgent cure.
Friday’s 31-27 defeat to the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium has left Kiss’ men teetering on the brink of a shock omission from the top six after losing three of their last four clashes.
Ruben Love and Brett Cameron of the Hurricanes celebrate victory over the Reds.Credit: Getty Images
It makes next week’s clash with the Fijian Drua in Brisbane a must-win after slipping to fifth and just a win ahead of Moana Pasifika and the Auckland Blues.
All four of the Hurricanes’ first-half tries were avoidable – albeit the opening points through five-eighth Ruben Love had a spice of good fortune on a ricochet off a grubber.
A bad one-on-one missed tackle by Reds centre Hunter Paisami gifted Hurricanes’ standout Billy Proctor an open passage to put his winger, Fatafehi Fineanganogo over, while a Jock Campbell mistake attempting to regather a chip over the top was welcomed by halfback Cam Roigard.
“Just the calibre of player he is … it’s what he does away from the ball, how he makes everyone around him better.”
Hurricanes flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi on Billy Proctor
When Proctor scored himself in the shadows of half-time, it was done with ease – steamrolling through three Queensland forwards and leaving Reds skipper Tate McDermott lamenting the 10 minutes before the break that has cost his side in consecutive weeks.
While McDermott generated some spark in attack – scoring his side’s opening try from the back of the ruck, before supporting a breakaway Jock Campbell – the host’s ill-discipline (10 penalties to five) haunted them, with Fineanganogo’s second try silencing the Brisbane faithful.
“At half-time we addressed that [defence] as a group, we need to get in there and get our shoulder in and bite and stick and chase through that.”
Les Kiss
How finals will determine Wallabies’ No.10 battle
Tom Lynagh has thrust himself firmly into contention to steer the Wallabies against the British and Irish Lions, but Friday’s battle was one that perhaps did his chance some harm.
Tom Lynagh is tackled.Credit: Getty Images
While the 22-year-old still showed some strength running the ball and a few deft passes long and short, his kicking game was a far cry from the clean and booming nature Reds fans have grown accustomed to, while McDermott also shouldered some burden.
He also missed five tackles, but his work off the tee, kicking five goals from five attempts, including the Reds’ first two penalties of the season, kept them in the hunt before he was subbed out with 15 minutes remaining.
National coach Joe Schmidt has previously confirmed if any selection battles were neck-and-neck races, those who had committed to Australian rugby beyond 2025 would be preferred – which could spell the end of Japan-bound Brumbies star Noah Lolesio’s bid.
That would leave Lynagh in a likely fight with Western Force counterpart Ben Donaldson, who announced this week he had re-signed until the end of 2027.
Schmidt, however, has also hinted finals form would count for plenty given the do-or-die nature of that stage. Donaldson and his ninth-placed Force will not get that opportunity.
Lynagh and his Queensland teammates will need to rally against the Drua in Brisbane next week before contemplating their finals quest.
“I just had a couple of moments – a lack of focus, and some of those under pressure yes, but I’ve got to be better.”
Tate McDermott
Great’s son made for the big stage
He has spent his time at Ballymore stuck behind an all-star back row of Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright.
But when injuries have reared, Joe Brial has proven he has the tools to thrive at this level, and he stood up for the most crucial moment of his career to almost steal the win.
Trailing by six, Queensland’s go forward was lacking as they built up 20 phases without much penetration – players seemingly catching the ball flat-footed and unsure whether to shift it wide or play it through the middle.
Brial, the son of 13-Test Wallaby Michael Brial, chose the latter, carrying then shrugging off three defenders en route to a brilliant individual try.
The 23-year-old only recently put pen to paper on a one-year contract extension until the end of 2026, and with Wright’s worrying injury history – still sidelined with the same shoulder concern that curtailed his Test comeback last year – Brial looms as a key figure in the Reds’ finals quest.
“We always knew how good of an athlete Brially was … he’s absolutely shot out of the gates and been really impressive.”
Tate McDermott
McDermott’s case builds, as Reds hope for reinforcements
Despite the result, McDermott has given his case for the Wallabies’ No.9 jumper another telling boost on the back of his try-scoring brace which kept his side within striking distance.
The halfback’s long passing game early in the second half unleashed the backline before scoring himself on the inside support, while he finished the night with 67 running metres while beating five defenders.
“[Wright] is out for a little while, we’re waiting for our next meet with the surgeon on that and get some more [information].”
Les Kiss
There is still hope McDermott’s backline will receive some reinforcements, with outside centre Josh Flook (hamstring) in line to be available for selection against the Drua, with Seru Uru (knee) also a chance.
But Kiss confirmed Wright and Faessler (hamstring) would likely not feature for the Reds again this season, with the former having undergone surgery.
