The Queensland Reds have lived up to their top billing with a stylish 56-36 season-opening Super Rugby Pacific win over Moana Pasifika in Brisbane.
With 13 Wallabies in their match-night 23, the star-studded Reds resisted a spirited fightback from Moana to record a runaway eight-tries-to-five victory on Friday night.
Having trailed 21-0 after a dozen minutes, the Pasifika pulled to within seven points of the lead midway through the second half before the Reds turned the screws at Suncorp Stadium.
Quickfire tries to locks Angus Blyth and Ryan Smith in the space of three minutes turned a precarious six-point buffer into a commanding 42-22 advantage for the home side.
There was no coming back for Moana as the Reds registered a season-opening win even without sidelined ex-Wallabies captain Liam Wright.
Revelling in the wet conditions, the Reds bolted out of the blocks with three tries in the opening 11 minutes through Wright's fill-in, tough-nut No.8 Seru Uru, and prolific wingers Filipo Daugunu and Tim Ryan.
Ryan's strike was the so-called Junkyard Dog's 10th try in 10 appearances for the Reds, surely keeping the 21-year-old in the eye of Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt.
From here, they found themselves as their own worse enemy as discipline issues started to turn the tide of the game to the visitors.
They had three yellow cards in the first half, with Hunter Paisami sent for a high shot, followed by Smith going for ten for one too many penalties on their line as the centre was set to return.
Fraser McReight was the next to join them for a penalty right before the break.
Moana Pasifika reduced the halftime deficit to 21-8 courtesy of a try to inspirational captain Ardie Savea and a penalty goal to fullback William Havili.
But moments after being injected into the fray, first-choice Wallabies hooker Matt Faesler came off the bench for the Reds to blow the game open.
Faesler peeled off the back of a driving maul to score in the 43rd minute to swing the momentum back in the Reds' favour.
McReight and McLaughlin-Phillips finished the scoring off to secure full points for the hosts.
“Obviously so happy with that win there, it was a fast game of footy,” captain Harry Wilson told Stan Sport post-game.
“The speed’s right up and brings fatigue into the game, probably why we saw so many points scored.
“Our tight five worked hard for us in that first half and we saw the benefits in the second 40 there.”
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)
Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Tim Ryan, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tom Lynagh, 9 Tate McDermott (captain), 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Seru Uru, 5 Ryan Smith, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Massimo De Lutiis, 2 Richie Asiata, 1 Sef Fa’agase.
Replacements: 16 Matt Faessler, 17 George Blake, 18 Zane Nonggorr, 19 Angus Blyth, 20 Joe Brial, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Lachie Anderson.
Moana Pasifika: 15 William Havili, 14 Solomon Alaimalo, 13 Pepesana Patafilo, 12 Lalomilo Lalomilo, 11 Kyren Taumoefolau, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Jonathan Taumateine, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Sione Havili Talitui, 6 Miracle Faiilagi, 5 Allan Craig, 4 Samuel Slade, 3 Feleti Sae-Ta’ufo’ou, 2 Millennium Sanerivi, 1 James Lay.
Replacements: 16 Sama Malolo, 17 Tito Tuipulotu, 18 Chris Apoua, 19 Tom Savage, 20 Semisi Tupou Ta’eiloa, 21 Melani Matavao, 22 Danny Toala, 23 Losi Filipo.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
