Veteran Walker shows experience in QR Reds trial
A young QR Reds side started their season quietly but with signs of promise when their first trial match of the season ended with a 26-10 win to the Waratahs at Campbelltown.
Despite conceding a glut of possession, the Reds were well in the match until halfway through the second half, when the weight of possession finally told.
Veteran fullback Andrew Walker showed the benefit of his experience to be one of the side's best, setting up a try and saving another. Academy player Ben Lucas also played well at scrumhalf.
The Waratahs dominated possession in the first 20 minutes, but handling errors and some poor option taking meant they had just three points to show for it.
Former Red Ben Mowen seemed to blow a certain try when he tried to run over the top of Reds fullback Walker when he had support outside. But Walker wrapped him up and flanker Josh Afu slid in underneath to seal off the ball.
Queensland posted the first try when wing Henari Veratau reaped the dividend from a rare visit to the Waratahs' quarter when he burrowed over in the corner after six phases of forward driving.
The Waratahs let the Reds off the hook again in the second quarter when another overlap was ignored close to the line, but the home side made amends soon after when Waratahs fullback Ben Batger scored to regain the lead 8-5. Batger kicked his second penalty right on halftime to give his side an 11-5 lead at the break.
The Waratahs ran on rugby league signing Timana Tahu at the start of the second half and he scored with his second touch of the ball, having the benefit of a pass in the clear to cross untouched in the 48th minute.
The Reds struck back soon after when Walker followed up one of his own kicks to grubber twice towards the line over 80m, before a NSW mistake enabled Charlie Fetoai to slip a miracle pass to wing Caleb Brown, scoring in his comeback match after a year on the sideline with hamstring problems.
A Waratahs try to Luke Burgess stretched the NSW lead to 21-10 at the 60 minute mark, while prop Al Manning took them further ahead to end the scoring at 26-10.
Coach Phil Mooney was disappointed at the loss but pragmatic about the circumstances, where the Reds focused on giving some of the younger players in the squad and in the QAS Reds Academy a hitout.
"It's a trial, the first opportunity guys have had a chance to have a run," Mooney said.
"That's probably given us an indication as to where we are in terms of depth in some positions."
Mooney said he was esecially pleased with the performances of Academy players Lucas and Tasi Luafutu (backrow) and the veteran Walker at fullback.
"The old man at the back was I thought our best player. Walks is going to be really important for us. His versatility: he plays fullback, 10, he can play winger, and tactically he's got a great handle on the game and still got a great eye for a gap.
"I had a bit of a chuckle when Caleb scored and Walks was running against Alfie Mafi. There's about a 15 year age difference there, but the old dog did pretty well."
The Reds, who finished the night without any major injuries, are back at Ballymore for their next match, a trial against the Blues on January 31.
