Wallabies star pulled off as Reds win ugly against Rebels

The Queensland Reds have ground out a gritty 26-22 win over the Melbourne Rebels to stay in touch with the Super Rugby Pacific top four and all-but ensure their post-season campaign.

The Reds, fresh off a brilliant victory over the Crusaders a week ago, were outplayed on Friday in the first half at Suncorp Stadium and trailed 15-5 to a Rebels side hit hard by injuries to key players.

But they cashed in when Rebels winger Lachie Anderson was yellow-carded, scoring three tries with him sidelined to remain fifth with three games to play.

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The Rebels, one spot back, earned a bonus point that could be crucial in the finals picture ahead of a tough run home against the Chiefs, Brumbies and Drua.

They lost captain Rob Leota and Alex Mafi to injuries before kick-off and prop Taniel Tupou (concussion) joined them inside 10 minutes.

Yet they dominated all facets in the first half, as they were strong in contact and more disciplined in defence and at the breakdown.

Flanker Vaiolini Ekuasi was powerful and former Reds back Filipo Dauguna packed a punch at outside centre.

The Queenslanders scored first when Matt Faessler finished a driving maul but the Rebels’ one-two punch – tries to Andrew Kellaway and Sam Talakai – made it 15-5 at the break.

Les Kiss’s men were brighter when they returned, pounding the Rebels’ line before Anderson was given his marching orders.

The points flowed, with Jock Campbell and Tim Ryan – his sixth in three career starts – scoring fluent tries and Fraser McReight finishing another maul.

They managed 21 points in the 10 minutes the Rebels were a man down, as Tate McDermott (suspension) and James O’Connor (injured) made returns off the bench in that time.

But Anderson’s return sparked the visitors, with Maciu Nabolakasi strolling over to make it a four-point game inside the final 10 minutes.

The Rebels probed in the final minute inside the Reds’ 22, their 14 phases eventually undone by an innocuous knock-on as the Reds hung on.

Queensland weren’t without their concerns, with star backrower Harry Wilson going off in the second half with an apparent forearm injury while McDermott provided spark after three games on the sidelines.