The Queensland Reds opened their Japanese tour today with a nine-try effort in their trial match win over the Saitama Panasonic Wild Knights.
The 59-29 result was a galvanising lift-off for the entire tour party because all 29 players saw action at the Kumagaya Rugby Stadium.
As important was the Reds’ ability to adapt under pressure when the Wild Knights swooped at the breakdown and ran pacy attacks off turnover ball for their five tries.
Former Churchie schoolmates Dre Pakeho, 19, and Frankie Goldsbrough, 18, were two constants with both playing stoutly for the full 80 minutes.
Fullback Mason Gordon and replacement winger Heremaia Murray both crossed for two tries while back-up halfback Will Cartwright hared 75m for an intercept try late in the game.
Lock Ryan Smith and his experienced Reds pack laid the platform with the first-time skipper twisting over for his own try in the first half.
The Reds pressured from the kick-off with new winger Matt Brice charging down a clearing kick and locks Smith and Josh Canham stealing a lineout.
Canham had a constructive game. His excellent run and one-handed offload to set up the play for Gordon’s dummying opening try from 25m out was only the start of a fine game because a charged down kick and flick pass added to his slick lineout work.
When Goldsbrough burst through to set up a long-range try for Brice, the 14-0 start could not have been more deceiving.
The Wild Knights were 17-14 ahead in a blink with two tries from Reds turnovers and a 70m kick-return try to show off their dangerous backs.
“They came back at us with pressure so it was a good sign we were able to consolidate and take a good lead into half-time (35-17),” Reds head coach Les Kiss said.
“We managed a lot of replacements in the second half. Again, we had to get on top of a comeback from a team which is really good on transition ball.
“There were a lot of pleasing things. Our two flyhalves, Harry (McLaughlin-Phillips) and Tommy (Lynagh), controlled the game well. Some of the play by our two centres, at just 18 and 19, was very good.
“Up front, guys like Josh (Canham), Sef (Fa’agase) and Massimo (De Lutiis) laid the platform we needed from the forwards.
“We also saw some excellent moments from the club guys who joined us for this tour. Young Hamish Muller came off the bench at No.8 and was very impressive.”
As a trial, the Reds played in training jerseys. The match was played behind closed doors with only 1500 Wild Knights Supporters’ Club fans adding their vocal chorus from the stands at the 2019 Rugby World Cup venue.
“Awesome. We’ve got a hill at my old Noosa ground, nothing like this. I really enjoyed it all,” said Brice, who was playing for the Noosa Dolphins just two years ago.
Souths flanker Herbert zeroed in on a typical jackal at the breakdown during his hour of action.
For Easts hooker Max Craig, his first game in 12 months after groin surgery came with a 20-minute cameo as a flanker.
“It’s such a relief to be back playing again. I got to my first scrum and started towards the front-row before thinking 'wait' that's not me today. It didn’t matter what position I was playing I just wanted to be out there,” Craig said with a broad grin.
"It's my first game since playing the Wild Knights a year ago."
A typical rolling maul try off a lineout from hooker Richie Asiata, Smith’s try after the Reds had stolen a lineout and Muller’s charge close to the line were all scored in the middle 25 minutes of the match when the Reds needed to assert authority through the pack.
The Reds ran their starting 15 for the opening half before involving all 14 players on their extended bench in the second half.
The players will refresh for the tour’s main mission, a full cap clash against the Wild Knights on Monday, November 4 for the Saitama-Queensland Shield.
The match has an extra layer of significance as a 40-year celebration of the sister state relationship between Saitama prefecture and Queensland.
QUEENSLAND REDS 59
Tries: Mason Gordon 2, Heremaia Murray 2, Richie Asiata, Ryan Smith, Matt Brice, Hamish Muller, Will Cartwright
Conversions: Harry McLaughlin-Phillips 5, Tom Lynagh 2
Def
SAITAMA PANASONIC WILD KNIGHTS 29
At Kumagaya Rugby Stadium
Half-time: Reds 35-Wild Knights 17
