Match Highlights: Kolisi sinbinning the turning point as Reds down Stormers
Queensland Reds will head to South Africa with wind in their sails after a 24-12 Super Rugby defeat of the Stormers.
Both sides did everything but get on the scoreboard at Suncorp Stadium on Friday in the competition's first scoreless opening stanza in six years.
But Stormers and Springboks captain Siya Kolisi's sin-binning on half-time broke the shackles, with the Reds prevailing in a five-try second half.
Reds standout Samu Kerevi took 90 seconds to exploit the overlap with a lovely cut-out pass before he backed up to score the game's first.
The Reds were through the line again thanks to speedy halfback Tate McDermott minutes later, with hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa claiming the five-pointer for an eventual 14-0 lead.
Kolisi's return coincided with the Stormers' first try, Kobus Van Dyk powering over from close-range next to the upright as the game opened up.
McDermott duly sniffed out his own five-pointer from a quick tap and - notwithstanding a Damien De Allende try for the Stormers - Bryce Hegarty booted the Queenslanders out of reach with a penalty goal.
Coach Brad Thorn was proud of his side but was again left asking them to find the middle ground between expansive and safe rugby.
"Lots of positive rugby out there, lots of endeavour and there's a part of me that loves that," Thorn said.
"There's a composure around that ... often our biggest challenge is just us."
The Reds now move to 3-4 ahead of a two-game trip to the Republic, although they will be without winger Filipo Daugunu (broken arm), a host of Australian under-20s representatives and most likely a rested Kerevi.
The Reds' task was made easier against the Stormers by the absence of the injured Eben Etzebeth and fellow Springboks star Pieter-Steph du Toit, who flew home for the birth of his child.
It didn't slow the visitors early though, who were unlucky not to draw first blood through Damian Willemse and Sergeal Petersen.
Stormers coach Robbie Fleck rued his side's wastefulness.
"It's pretty tough to swallow that and those first 10 minutes (with Kolisi sin-binned), the Reds were pretty good at executing that advantage," Fleck said.
"We're not really proud of that effort in the second half - too many errors, too many missed tackles."
AAP
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Latest Comments
The New Zealand performance in the return fixture in 2016 was filthy. A lot of Irish supporters were pretty shocked by it, viewed it as de facto cheating just to avoid another defeat.
Also shocked by the abuse to Ireland, captain, vice-captain and spectators after the full time whistle in Paris defeat, last match.
Sledging is sledging, but that happens during the game and targetting spectators should be completely out of bounds.
The Irish public used to enjoy these matches, even in defeat. Now they are necessary but unpleasant, because NZ apparently cannot accept or respect successful challengers.
Go to commentsThanks for the analysis Nick, thought provoking as usual. Couple of queries though, in the pic where you've circled Williams bind , I'm pretty sure it shows Stuart's knee on the ground, surely that's a NZ penalty? Also having had the chance to watch it again the All Black scrum seeems to improve after halftime, but before either England or the All Blacks replace their props. Not sure if that was the result of Tuipolutu coming on or some halftime tips. Either way this is only Williams second international season, so he'll be better for the experience.
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