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Reds fans frothing at hometown refereeing as the Queenslanders fall on the wrong side of a 13-2 penalty count

By Tom Vinicombe
Tate McDermott. (Photo by Daniel Jayo/Getty Images)

The absurdity of not using neutral referees has once again been called into question after the final match of Super Rugby's third round.

The Reds, who raced out to a 14-nil lead after 20 minutes then went into the break with a 24-12 advantage, were thoroughly outclassed in an open second half and ultimately fell 27-43 to the Jaguares in Buenos Aires.

Regardless of how well the Jaguares played in the second half, however, Reds fans are incensed at the lopsided penalty count, which saw Argentinian referee Federico Anselmi penalise the visiting team 13 times.

The home side, in contrast, were hit with just two penalties.

It was a 63rd minute yellow card dished out to Liam Wright that really turned the game, however, with the visitors entering the third quarter with a 27-24 lead before capitulating in their captain's absence.

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The Jaguares scored three converted tries with Wright off the park, ending the contest and consigning the Reds to a third straight defeat, 27-43.

Reds fans took to Twitter to vent their anger with the referee sharing the brunt of the blame for the eventual loss.

The Reds sit bottom of the Super Rugby log alongside fellow Australian side the Waratahs and South Africa's Bulls, who have both also yet to record wins.

While the Reds have chalked up two bonus points, however, the Waratahs and Bulls have nothing to their names as yet.

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