The Queensland Reds have fallen 47-19 to the NSW Waratahs in a disappointing loss tonight at the Santos Festival of Rugby in Narrabri.
The match was still in the balance at 26-19 midway through the second half before three converted tries by the Waratahs earned them the victory in Round Two of Super Rugby AUS.
Waratahs fullback James Hendren ran in his fourth try in the final minutes to complete the scoring.
The Reds trailed 21-12 at half-time but began the second term exactly as they wanted when Wallabies hooker Matt Faessler speared over in the corner. He completed an attack started by a fine Dre Pakeho run and the final pass from Seru Uru.
"It was an extremely disappointing performance. We were very wasteful," Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
"We didn't apply pressure. We allowed the Waratahs to find traction and they got the momentum.
"We now have a week to work on ourselves and go to Perth next weekend and produce a much better performance."
Kiss was full of praise for the rugby vibe in Narrabri and the crowd turnout for seven hours of rugby with men's, women's, sevens and a Classic Wallabies clinic for kids on the menu.
"What the Santos Festival of Rugby does for a regional centre like Narrabri is fantastic. We've felt the feeling for rugby in the town and in the crowd," Kiss said.
The Reds lost prop Massimo De Lutiis before half-time with a foot injury. Captain and flyhalf Jock Campbell left the field at the 51-minute mark when he strained a hamstring when chasing winger Sid Harvey.
Centre Pakeho slipped into No.10 for the remainder of the game.
Young flanker Tom Robinson again impressed with his workrate. Backrow partner Brial also had strong impacts. Winger Tim Ryan was busy and prop Aidan Ross is proving a fine recruit.
Faessler played a valuable 40 minutes in his comeback from two months out with a calf strain while fellow Wallaby Josh Flook had some incisive moments in his 40 minutes of action.
The Waratahs opened the game at pace with fullback James Hendren completing a 60m team attack with a chip-and-regather for a try after just two minutes.
The Reds quickly levelled with an excellent try. Well-rehearsed play put the halfback Kalani Thomas in position to deal an inside ball to backrower Joe Brial for the try.
It was a popular try for local fans considering the Brial family's Narrabri heritage. Brial's father Michael was in the crowd watching at the ground where he began his journey to becoming a Wallaby in the 1990s.
The Reds found themselves down again at 14-7 but again had a quick response at the 16-minute mark.
This time it was winger Lachie Anderson dotting down out wide after a sweeping raid ignited 70m downfield by Campbell. He took on the line, got Tim Ryan and Brial involved and the captain backed up for a second touch when the play threatened to produce a try. A few phases later it did when the ball was spun right to the unmarked Anderson.
A groggy Anderson was replaced five minutes later after reeling out of a tackle made on a NSW player.
Hendren's second try put the Waratahs up 21-12, a score carried into half-time.
Just before the break, a superb try-saving tackle by Reds fullback Heremaia Murray cut down Waratahs winger Leo Jaques just metres from scoring in the corner.
The Reds must now regroup for their last regular season game against the Western Force in Perth next Sunday. A place in the final a week later is still up for grabs.
NSW Waratahs 47
Tries: James Hendren 4, Jamie Adamson, Jackson Ropata, Clem Haloholo
Conversions: Sid Harvey 6
Defeated
Queensland Reds 19
Tries: Joe Brial, Lachie Anderson, Matt Faessler
Conversions: Jock Campbell 2
Half-time: Waratahs 21-Reds 12
Venue: Dangar Park, Narrabri
