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• QR Qld Reds v Hurricanes

The QR Queensland Reds have made a fine start to their 2007 Investec Super 14 campaign by posting a gritty 25-16 win over the Hurricanes at Suncorp Stadium.

New Reds recruit Clinton Schifcofske kicked five penalties and converted Mitchell Chapman's spectacular first half try to turn the pressure created by the impressive work of the Reds forward into points.

Flyhalf Berrick Barnes sealed the match with a drop goal.

The win was built on an uncompromising display by the forwards, who carried out their game plan of shutting down the dangerous Hurricanes attack with lethal defence and a brutal pick and drive game that wore down the opposition pack in the Brisbane heat.

Lock Hugh McMeniman was voted the "players' player" for his strong all-round performance.

The win made the celebration of Sean Hardman and Ben Tune's 100th games even sweeter.

In front of 22,654 fans the Reds were off the mark early with the Schifcofske boot being tested, slotting two penalty attempts in the opening minutes.

A strong burst from Tune gained the momentum that led to the Reds first Super Rugby try of the season, with Berrick Barnes heeding his team-mates' call to lob a high ball into the corner for backrower Chapman to claim and ground.

The Hurricanes dragged themselves into the game with two penalties from fly half Jimmy Gopperth.

However, they failed to take advantage of Reds lock James Horwill being yellow-carded in the 35th minute for multiple offences at the breakdown.

Playing a man down, the Reds didn’t score again in the first half and led the Hurricanes 13-6 at halftime.

Schifcofske added more to his personal tally in the second half, but the sting was taken out of the Reds forward game when injuries meant the Hurricanes were unable to field a competent front row and the scrums went uncontested.

Coach Eddie Jones made changes after the halftime break with Stephen Moore replacing Sean Hardman and Charlie Fetoia making his Super 14 debut, replacing Andrew Brown in the centres. Brown had a strong game in defence before succumbing to a suspected punctured lung.

The Reds lost Chapman to a yellow card late in the second half and Hurricanes fullback Cory Jane scored the Hurricanes only try in the game with eight minutes to go but it wasn’t enough.

QR Queensland Reds 25 (Mitchell Chapman try; Clinton Schifcofske 5 pen, con; Berrick Barnes drop goal) def Hurricanes (Cory Jane try, Jimmy Gopperth 3 pen, con). Crowd 22,654