The Queensland Reds’ quest to win in Wellington will have to wait after falling 52-14 to the Hurricanes today in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
In a fast-paced match on a perfect playing surface at Hnry Stadium, the Reds were in the contest at 24-14 down after a frantic opening stanza.
The Reds will rue a pass gone astray in the first half and an intercepted pass in the second half which the ruthless Hurricanes turned into two long-range tries.
Despite the result, the Reds produced passages of cohesion in attack and resilience in defence against the top-placed Hurricanes.
The Reds scored two well-constructed tries to fullback Jock Campbell and centre Isaac Henry in the first half but couldn’t cut the deficit in the second half.
The Reds now return to Brisbane to prepare for an Easter Saturday clash against the Western Force at Suncorp Stadium.
"We said before we came here we were playing the best team in the comp and they played like the best team. We were inaccurate at times and lost most of the 50-50s," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"We had some good individual moments but not the desperate edge of the last four games. Hats off to them."
The Reds entered the contest in Wellington riding on the back of four consecutive wins. The Reds returned serve on an early Cam Roigard try by cleverly working the short side.
Flyhalf Harry McLaughlin-Phillips' quick hands, after looping on centre Hunter Paisami, dealt a pass to Campbell. Instead of opting to offload, Campbell jockeyed the defender before extending out for the score in the game’s sixth minute for 7-all.
A deft Paisami offload to set up midfield partner Isaac Henry in the shades of half-time cut the deficit to 10. Henry juggled the ball briefly in his hands before grounding it cleanly, giving the side a timely boost just before half time.
It was a smart variation when the Hurricanes might have expected a rolling maul from the 5m lineout instead.
The Hurricanes gained the ascendancy again early in the second half as lock Warner Dearns dotting the ball down when Queensland’s desperate defence couldn’t hold.
A quick double for Fehi Fineanganofo completed the winger's hat-trick of tries in the 54th minute.
The Hurricanes produced 612m gained compared to the Reds 437 and had four more line breaks than Les Kiss’ side.
Second-row pairing Lukhan Salakaia-Loto and Seru Uru lead the way on both sides of the ball with 11 carries and eight tackles apiece.
Flyhalf Tom Lynagh made a welcome and composed return for his first Super Rugby Pacific outing of the season off the bench in the final 15 minutes.
Reds captain Fraser McReight spoke to Sky Sports after the game.
“It’s about chasing improvement and the beauty of rugby, as cliche as it is, we’ve got next week... there’s going to be plenty to pick out and work on and I think that’s great for us, we get to get better,” McReight said.
“We get to go back home and love playing at Suncorp Stadium against a team like the Force, who are playing great footy. Hopefully, we play a great game for our supporters."
HURRICANES 52
Tries: Fehi Fineanganofo 3, Cam Roigard, Josh Moorby, Bailyn Sullivan, Warner Dearns, Vernon Bason
Conversions: Ruben Love 6
Def
QUEENSLAND REDS 14
Tries: Jock Campbell, Isaac Henry
Conversions: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 2
Half-time: Hurricanes 24-Reds 14
Venue: Hnry Stadium, Wellington
