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Reds get Super Rugby thrashing at home in front of Eddie Jones
By AAP
Four second-half tries have ensured an experienced Hurricanes outfit disposed of the Queensland Reds to begin their Super Rugby Pacific season with a comfortable 47-13 victory in Townsville.
Jason Holland's side boasted six All Blacks in their 23-man squad and their experience came to the fore to secure their eighth straight triumph over the Reds.
Holding a three-point margin at halftime, the visitors' experience was on display as they punished Queensland's forwards twice during a 10 minute span to push the result beyond doubt.
Two more late tries blew the result out in exceptionally sticky conditions on Saturday.
A penalty try just after the break was awarded following a deliberate drag down of the Hurricanes maul, with Asafo Aumua the beneficiary and Seru Eru binned as a result.
Aumua made a break in midfield from a pick-and-drive and put Cameron Roigard under the posts to blow the margin out to 30-13.
Queensland had their chances in the second half after a solid opening 40 minutes, but Ardie Savea's pilfer thwarted their best attempt 15 minutes from time, after early having a try overturned on review for a forward pass.
Jamie Booth, Julian Savea and Tyrel Lomax then all crossed in the final 12 minutes to secure a comprehensive bonus-point victory.
The Hurricanes have now won 12 of their last 13 games against Queensland and the loss marks the Reds' 11th straight against New Zealand opposition.
But there was some excitement for the Reds in defeat with young Tom Lynagh impressing on debut for the club.
Father and Wallabies great Michael Lynagh travelled from England to watch his son's first start in Super Rugby and Tom impressed at both ends of the field.
The 19-year-old was composed and distributed effectively, whilst making crucial last-man tackles off line breaks.
Wallabies coach Eddie Jones was also in attendance for the young half's debut.
Conditions certainly played their part in a scrappy opening 40 minutes at Queensland Country Bank Stadium.
Queensland had the upper hand through 20 minutes of action with Lynagh kicking two penalty goals from similar distance right of the posts.
The Reds were later pinged for not releasing and Jordie Barrett kicked two penalties to level the game.
Within two minutes each side traded tries with Jordan Petaia grabbing the Reds' first, before Billy Proctor stepped two defenders on the right edge in reply.
Barrett slotted another penalty just shy of halftime and the visitors led 16-13 at the break.
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Latest Comments
Agreed. As a Saffa I have much respect for the ABs. I also have to say given any option I would ONLY prefer to lose to ABs. To lose to England is probably the most embarrassing think to happen to either of us.
There was a time when both of us lost to England and we both hated it. Thankfully those days are behind us. Kudos to you guys, kudos to ABs. But dear old BS seems to hate us Boks. No idea why.
Go to commentsI got the sense that holding him to it was kickback from SB and the rfu smarting at being jilted quite so soon, so unexpectedly and so publicly.
Seem to remember that they spoke to Gustard before appointing Joe and you really have to think he would have come in at a higher level?
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