The Queensland Reds’ season of great aspirations and potential came to an end with a 43-21 loss to the Chiefs in the first Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Hamilton. The ruthless and clinical Chiefs scored four consecutive first-half tries to lead 31-0 at halftime and set up the annihilation of the Reds at FMG Stadium Waikato.
With three wins over New Zealand opponents for the first time since 2013, including a pivotal victory over the defending champion Crusaders in Christchurch and a round-three defeat of the Chiefs in Brisbane, the Reds believed they were title contenders in 2024. Their hopes were dashed within 15 minutes on Friday night, as the Chiefs took a 21-0 lead thanks to an early try-scoring double from hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho and one from winger Emoni Narawa. The Chiefs were brutal in the breakdown and physically dominant.
However, it was a beautiful chip from master playmaker Damian McKenzie, as well as a regather and kick-on from fullback Shaun Stevenson, that set up the Chiefs’ fourth try, which was completed by Etene Nanai-Seturo, and the match-winning halftime advantage.
Queensland briefly threatened a comeback with the first try of the second half from co-captain and Wallabies No.9 Tate McDermott. However, normal service continued when All Blacks ace Anton Lienert-Brown crossed for the Chiefs’ fifth try in the 55th minute, extending the hosts’ unassailable lead to 38-7. McDermott added a second goal for the Reds, but it was unable to save the game. The ACT Brumbies are Australia’s best chance of breaking the Kiwis’ decade-long trans-Tasman stranglehold on the Super Rugby crown, following Queensland’s humiliating elimination.
However, in addition to defeating the Highlanders in Canberra on Saturday, the Brumbies are now reliant on the soon-to-be-defunct Melbourne Rebels to upset the table-topping Hurricanes and claim a home semi-final spot. Otherwise, the Brumbies will travel to New Zealand seeking to become the first Australian team to win a finals match over the Tasman to keep their title hopes alive. Chiefs 43 (Tries: Taukei’aho 2, Narawa, Nanai-Seturo, Lienert-Brown, Slater; Cons: McKenzie 5; Pens: McKenzie) defeated Reds 21 (Tries: McDermott 2, Creighton; Cons: Lynagh, Creighton 2).
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