Queensland Reds Secure Thrilling 56-36 Win Over Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific

Image credits: Reds Media

The Queensland Reds have started their Super Rugby Pacific campaign on a high note, defeating Moana Pasifika 56-36 in a thrilling match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Reds, who had a bye in the first round, showed no signs of rustiness as they ran in eight tries, with all of them being converted, seven by Tom Lynagh. The outstanding performance of flanker Fraser McReight was a highlight of the match, as he had a field day on both sides of the ball.

The match was a testament to the attacking prowess of both teams, with defence coaches likely to have a tough time analyzing the game footage. The Reds' 21-0 burst in the first 13 minutes proved decisive, and despite losing three players to yellow cards in the first half, they managed to maintain their lead. Moana Pasifika, however, kept firing shots, with electric winger Kyren Taumoefolau scoring a second-half double to give the visitors a glimmer of hope.

The Reds' coach, Les Kiss, was satisfied with his team's performance, citing their resilience and ability to counter-punch when needed. The team's discipline, however, will be a area of concern, with McReight, Hunter Paisami, and Ryan Smith all being binned by the referee. The Reds will look to build on this win as they travel to Perth to play the Western Force in round three, while Moana Pasifika will host the Highlanders in Auckland.

The match statistics were heavily in favor of the Reds, with the final score reading: Reds 56 (Tries: Uru, Daugunu, Ryan, Faessler, Blyth, Smith, McReight, McLaughlin-Phillips; Cons: Lynagh 7, McLaughlin-Phillips) def Moana Pasifika 36 (Tries: Savea, Aiaimalo, Taumoefolau 2, Craig; Cons: Havili 4). The Reds' attack was relentless, and their defence held strong despite the yellow cards. The team's performance was a testament to their pre-season training and preparation.

The Super Rugby Pacific season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with several teams showing promising signs in the early rounds. The Reds will look to continue their winning streak, while Moana Pasifika will aim to bounce back from their consecutive losses. The upcoming rounds will be crucial in determining the teams' standings, and fans can expect more thrilling matches like the one between the Reds and Moana Pasifika.