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9.53pm on Mar 15, 2025
The Waratahs get brutal reality check in Brisbane
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Nobody likes going into work on a Monday morning, but spare a thought for the Waratahs squad when they trudge in for their upcoming horror video review session at their training base in Sydney.
The 35-15 defeat against the Reds will make difficult viewing, not simply because of the gulf on the scoreboard, but how the Waratahs lost concentration at the most critical moments in the game.
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The Waratahs entered the game full of confidence after three wins at home in Sydney and started brilliantly with their physical dominance rewarded with a well-taken try from winger Triston Reilly.
The NSW performance in the opening minutes will be what the squad hangs onto this week. Ferocious in defence and ambitious in attack, the Waratahs had successfully silenced the 20,000-strong crowd in Brisbane.
The reality check came at 13 minutes and was brutal. Fullback Andrew Kellaway was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle of his Wallabies skipper Harry Wilson and from there, the Waratahs’ carefully laid defensive structures spectacularly combusted.
Reds fullback Heremaia Murray gathered a loose kick, looked up, spotted that there was nobody covering for Kellaway in the backfield and chipped through to gather a gift of a try.
The game was played at a brutal pace with huge shots coming from both sides, but ultimately, the Reds were able to weather the storm best and Wilson muscled over for their second try to extend the home side’s lead. Wilson’s nose was stuffed with tissues to stem blood streaming, and he was joined by teammates and opposition who will wake up tomorrow with sore and stiff bodies.
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The Reds extended their lead through replacement Richie Asiata who rumbled over after a 22-metre rolling maul with the Waratahs helpless to stop it. Waratahs coach Dan McKellar is renowned for his expertise in mauls and his forwards will be braced for a rough few days on the training paddock.
At the start of the second half Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight celebrated his new three-year contract with a well-taken try, dummying Kellaway to finish in the corner, but worryingly for Australian rugby fans he then went down clutching his shoulder, eventually leaving the field and using a sling.
Second-rower Angus Blyth’s try put the game beyond reach for the Waratahs, who eventually responded with a late try from replacement Langi Gleeson to add a tiny bit of polish to an otherwise brutal scoreboard.
Life doesn’t get any easier for the Waratahs with a major challenge against a resurgent Brumbies back home in Sydney next Saturday. That will be followed by a visit to Wellington to take on the Hurricanes.
Fraser McReight of the Reds takes on the defenceGetty Images
Despite the comprehensive defeat, the Waratahs have some cause for optimism. Despite spilling the ball when the try-line was begging, Teddy Wilson showed he can in time become a worthy successor to his captain Jake Gordon at halfback.
With the tiny amount of possession he had Max Jorgensen was dangerous and Henry O’Donnell was committed and brave in defence.
It is not how you start, it is how you end and the Waratahs will rue missed opportunities and lapses in concentration against their oldest rival in Brisbane.
9.20pm on Mar 15, 2025
Full time: Reds 35 Waratahs 15
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That wraps up an utterly dominant win for the Queensland Reds.
Dan McKellar looks absolutely stunned in the coach’s box and it’s understandable.
The Reds were brutal in defence and ruthless in attack. The Waratahs will be left to wonder how they started so well and let their game plan completely unravel.
More worryingly for Australian rugby, Fraser McReight was seen in a sling after the game after hurting his shoulder after scoring a try. More news to come there and hopefully it is not too serious.
Reds players celebrate after Angus Blyth of the Reds scores a try Getty Images
9.09pm on Mar 15, 2025
Langi Gleeson gets a consolation try
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Langi Gleeson gets a try and popped up unsure that he had even scored. The referee had to assure he had, it’s been that sort of night.
Gleeson has been one of the Waratahs’ star performers so far and has made an impact since he has come onto the field in the second field.
It will add a little polish to the scoreboard, but this contest is over.
Reds five eighth Tom Lynagh is off with three minutes to go and gets some well-deserved applause.
Reds 35 Waratahs 15
Filipo Daugunu of the Reds breaks away from the defence Getty Images
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9.02pm on Mar 15, 2025
Reds’ pack gets another try
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Wallabies second-rower Angus Blyth is now the man to crash over for a close quarter try with Lynagh nailing his conversion.
It’s looking increasingly precarious for the Waratahs here and the Reds are desperate for more points.
It has stopped being a contest and the Waratahs will hope to ride out the next ten minutes with minimal pain.
Reds 35 Waratahs 8
Fraser McReight of the Reds celebrates after scoring a try against the WaratahsGetty Images
8.58pm on Mar 15, 2025
Fatigue setting in
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Given the high humidity and temperature, it is no surprise that the pace of this game has slowed up. Both teams have tried to outmatch each other in physicality with some huge shots coming in all night.
The pace has slowed, and you sense that the Waratahs are slowly unravelling in their structures. They have spent a decent amount of time in the Reds’ 22 and have found no way through.
They have just under 20 minutes to find an answer, but it is looking like it will come through the forwards.
The Waratahs desperately want to play with more width, but the backs are being starved of the ball.
It’s clinical stuff with Tom Lynagh at the heart of the Reds’ dominance.
Reds 28 Waratahs 8
Ryan Smith of the Reds is tackled against the WaratahsGetty Images
8.48pm on Mar 15, 2025
Waratahs have no way through the Reds’ defence
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The Waratahs were hammering at the Reds defence, but eventually Langi Gleeson who has been very busy since he has come on was held up over the line.
The Waratahs will really start to roll the dice now in attack, there is no other option.
The Waratahs are held up once again, with the two smallest men on the field, Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh holding up replacement hooker Mahe Vailanu on the line.
Reds 28 Waratahs 8
Fraser McReight of the Reds celebrates with team mates after scoring a tryGetty Images
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8.40pm on Mar 15, 2025
Fraser McReight scores and leaves the field
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Seru Uru, Harry Wilson and Fraser McReight were starting to really hum for the Reds, so he will be crucial to slowing them up.
Lawson Creighton fell off a tackle on McReight and he dummies Andrew Kellaway to touch down in the corner, the perfect way to celebrate his new three year contract.
He was holding his shoulder gingerly and is getting some treatment from the physio. He continues for a few minutes, but he was never comfortable and is off.
This game could really run away from the Waratahs and will need to fight back on the scoreboard soon, this scoreboard does not tell the story of how well they started.
Reds 28 Waratahs 8
8.29pm on Mar 15, 2025
Thoughts from Nick Wright in Suncorp
By Nick Wright
Well, that’s a script that changed quickly.
In the opening 20 minutes, the Waratahs looked so strong in defence after scoring within three minutes that it looked like it would take something miraculous to crack them.
Ultimately, that’s what happened. Reds co-captain Liam Wright told reporters before the former Crusader’s Queensland debut he would bring flair to the No.15 jumper in Jock Campbell’s absence and he did just that.
After his kick ahead and regather, the Reds returned to basics: perseverance with their set piece and ruck work, with a 22-metre maul to boot as Harry Wilson and Richie Asiata extended the margin. How much will the Waratahs be left to rue Andrew Kellaway’s yellow card?
It proved a decisive momentum shifter in this contest, and his side only got one genuine look at the line from that point until the break.
8.24pm on Mar 15, 2025
That’s the half
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Teddy Wilson will be having nightmares about spilling that ball with the tryline begging, it could have absolutely put the Waratahs within six points, but it wasn’t to be and they’re down 13.
Wilson has enjoyed a strong game otherwise and has added a physical presence at 9.
The Waratahs tackle stats are big, Ben Grant is on 15, centre Henry O’Donnell is on 14 and Dave Porecki is on 12.
The Waratahs looked brilliant in the opening quarter, then as soon as Andrew Kellaway was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle, things started to unravel.
Heremaia Murray’s try was a gift with nobody covering fullback and then later, Richie Asiata was on the end of a 22 metre rolling maul.
There are some very tired bodies in the sheds and it has been a great contest. Lots for the Waratahs to do, but they are not out of this game.
Max Jorgensen of the Waratahs is tackled against the RedsGetty Images
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8.18pm on Mar 15, 2025
Another moment of madness
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The Waratahs are not going to enjoy Monday’s review based on this first half.
Teddy Wilson who has been so impressive was about to score, but spills the ball near the line, the Reds go the full length of the field to put the Waratahs under huge pressure, with breakaway Charlie Gamble somehow mopping it up.
The Reds are looking increasingly dangerous and the Waratahs are letting them.
It’s been mad, but it’s definitely been entertaining.
Reds 21 Waratahs 8
Leafi Talataina of the Waratahs makes a carry against the RedsGetty Images