A Tim Ryan hat-trick of tries set up a 36-26 win over the ACT Brumbies when Super Rugby AUS opened at Ballymore Stadium this afternoon.
He had his third try in 30 minutes when he regathered a Heremaia Murray kick ahead after a super-crisp backline move.
The Reds made a hot start and had a try on the board in a tick under 80 seconds.
The Reds made use of a lineout win to work the narrow side beside the sideline.
The skilful Seru Uru slipped a ball to rookie No.8 Vaiuta Latu who shifted a lovely short pass to winger Ryan, who scooted away for his first try of the afternoon.
It was always going to be a fast-paced try shootout and the Sunday sun sapped a few bodies as well in the defence.
The Brumbies responded quickly to jump ahead 7-5 before a statement play from young Latu, who only turned 20 in June.
Taking the ball off the back of a 5m scrum, he bumped halfback Klayton Thorn out of the way and jolted two more from his path as he twisted over. Try.
It was the start of a highly promising 56-minute shift from Latu, who carries the nickname “Vice” from teammates.
At 119kg, there is influence in every charge. His soft hands to sweep balls off the deck to his halfback or pull back a pass in a play were also big plusses.
This competition is perfect to advance players like Latu, a Queensland Under-19s player a year ago and a second grade premiership-winner with Brothers just a few short weeks ago.
Ryan scored two tries for the Reds this year after his stellar breakout year in 2024 when he scored two hat-tricks in Super Rugby Pacific.
He has worked on his kicking game, strength and defence to feel improvements in other areas of his game but there is nothing like a winger feeling the buzz of scoring tries.
He had three tries by half-time.
Prop Massimo De Lutiis made a strong return at scrum time after four months out of the game.
The Reds had built their lead to 29-14 right on half-time when flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips spun a cutout pass to Dre Pakeho on the left touchline.
Midway through the second half, Ryan’s extra hitting power in defence came through when he stopped Ollie Sapsford in his tracks.
The Brumbies fought back admirably to close the scores to 29-26 with time still on the clock.
Reds skipper Jock Campbell decided to use a late penalty to kick to touch to back the team's lineout as the Reds have done all year.
The rolling maul drive was worked perfectly with replacement hooker Zac Hough scoring the try. Ryan was in the crush of bodies somewhere lending his weight to the shove as well.
QUEENSLAND REDS 36
Tries: Tim Ryan 3, Vaiuta Latu, Dre Pakeho, Zac Hough
Conversions: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2, Jock Campbell
Defeated
ACT BRUMBIES 26
Tries: Luke Reimer, Klayton Thorn, Hudson Creighton, Chris Mickelson
Conversions: Declan Meredith 3
Half-time: Reds 29-Brumbies 14
Venue: Ballymore Stadium
