The Queensland Reds today fell 54-45 in Super Rugby Under-16s after a high-quality win by the Reds U15s on the same interstate menu in Sydney.
The double-header at Forshaw Park was a contrast of emotions for the two Queensland sides against their NSW Waratahs rivals.
The U16s showed real character after the Waratahs had run them ragged for a 40-0 lead inside 27 minutes.
A pick-and-drive try by hooker Xavier Hill approaching half-time was the first fightback sign for 40-7.
Replacements Dylan Goodwin, Will Robinson and Noah Gaffney all scored early in the second half to tighten the scores to 40-26.
That 26-0 run of momentum from the Reds gave the side energy. Goodwin and hooker Gaffney, with another well-steered rolling maul, both scored again late.
The Waratahs made big attacking gains out wide but their ill-discipline in conceding three yellow cards gave the Reds a chance to make inroads of their own.
Earlier in the day, the Reds U15s made the corrections they were chasing to gain redemption for a painful 38-37 loss to the Waratahs at Ballymore Stadium in the first leg of their series.
This time, it was the Reds who nailed the big moments. Tries either side of half-time turned a 12-10 deficit into a 25-12 lead.
Sharp-moving fullback Koby Walters was the key. On half-time, a big step inside propelled him over for a vital try.
This followed his earlier 40m break when strength and a fend shed two defenders. He positioned support Digby Ioane perfectly for the try.
The Waratahs closed to 32-19 and had the feed to an attacking scrum deep in the Reds quarter.
A big Reds shunt secured a penalty and saved a tricky situation. Another key moment won.
Even when the Waratahs closed again to 32-26 late in the game, the Reds had the answer.
Prop Stanley Grellman threw into the lineout, guided a fast-moving rolling maul and clinched the game 39-26 with his try.
Skipper Hugh Stanbury was again strong while centre Will Jessiman was twice tackled into touch just short of the tryline.
NSW Waratahs U16s 54
Tries: Asher Chapman 4, Finn Hannon 2, Kaiasi Talakai, Fletcher Hermann
Conversions: Wilson Ruthven 7
Def
Queensland Reds U16s 45
Tries: Noah Gaffney 3, Dylan Goodwin 2, Xavier Hill, Will Robinson
Conversions: Charlie Meredith 5
Queensland Reds U15s 39
Tries: Stanley Grellman, Hugh Stanbury, Thomas Gibb, Digby Ioane, Koby Walters, Joseph Keke
Conversions: Zac Zeremes 2, Daniel De Swardt
Penalty Goal: Sammy Samson
Def
NSW Waratahs U15s 26
Tries: Ethan Mullins 2, Cooper Hayward, Urijah Brown
Conversions: Billy Bowen 3
Venue: Forshaw Park, Sydney
