The Queensland Reds sit atop the table for the first time since 2012 after a gritty, late victory over the Western Force at a rain-soaked Suncorp Stadium.
Tonight’s 28-24 win pushes the Reds to the top of a multi-country Super Rugby competition for the first time since the Reds won their opening three games of 2012.
The Reds (23 points) will now head to Hamilton for a top-of-the-table clash against the second-placed Chiefs (22) on Friday night in Round Eight of SMARTECH Super Rugby Pacific.
The victory at Suncorp Stadium took resilience, a big-moment player stepping up with time running out and trademark defensive steel with two periods down to 14 men because of yellow cards.
The Force were ahead 24-21 until replacement halfback Tate McDermott scooted over from the back of a rolling maul in the 73rd minute when the Reds dug deep with 14 on the field.
Flyhalf Tom Lynagh knocked over the conversion to go four-from-four for the night and push the lead to 28-24.
The Reds defended stoutly for much of that final period with only 14 men after backrower John Bryant was sinbinned for an awkward cleanout in the 68th minute.
The scores were locked at the half-time score of 21-all until Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson put his side ahead 24-21 at the 57-minute mark.
“We’ll have to fix some sloppy areas but what is really impressive is this team finding a way to win deep into games,” Reds skipper Ryan Smith said.
“Being top of the table is a cool acknowledgement but we have tough games ahead. That’s where you want to be at the tailend of the season.
“I’ll pay credit to all our front-rowers today. They really stood up for us.”
With the lineout faltering, the dominant Reds scrum earned a number of penalties, including when former All Blacks prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen came off the bench.
Prop Alex Hodgman put in another influential shift either side of 10 minutes in the bin when the Reds were whistled for infringing repeatedly in the first half.
The Reds led 7-0, 14-7 and 21-14 in the first half and the Force had a counter each time to tie the scores.
In-form centre Filipo Daugunu plunged over for the opening try, banged a long touch-finder with the boot and earned a key penalty at the breakdown in his high-quality game in front of Wallabies head coach Joe Schmidt in the stands.
The Reds’ second try was a set play gem with lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto delivering a shortside ball out the back to flanker Seru Uru, who outflanked the defence before sending fullback Heremaia Murray over for the try.
Lynagh may be claiming the first lineout win of his career after mopping up a bouncing long throw at the 24-minute mark. His stepping run was finished with a super back-of-the-hand offload which found halfback Kalani Thomas. Thomas fed centre Dre Pakeho on the line for the try.
Pakeho, 20, had a strong game after being called into the starting side on game day because of the late withdrawal of Hunter Paisami.
“Filipo is a man of action. He’s one of our most physical players and he’s got an X- factor for sure,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“Dre steps up for us each time. He doesn’t get ahead of himself and just wants to keep learning.”Kiss said the team would take on the challenge ahead.
"The Chiefs are the best team in the comp if you look at what they have done this season. The Brumbies follow after that game so two toughies. It’s a challenge we are looking forward to,” Kiss said.
QUEENSLAND REDS 28
Tries: Filipo Daugunu, Heremaia Murray, Dre Pakeho, Tate McDermott
Conversions: Tom Lynagh 4
Defeated
WESTERN FORCE 24
Tries: Carlo Tizzano 2, Tom Robertson
Conversions: Ben Donaldson 3
Penalty Goal: Ben Donaldson
Half-time: 21-all
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
