QR Reds take first points for 08
The QR Reds opened their 2008 Investec Super 14 campaign with a courageous 22-16 win over the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium, led from the front by two try captain John Roe.
The Reds scored three tries to one and looked to have the match sewn up, only to have the Highlanders claw their way back to within three points and revive memories of some of the near misses fans were forced to endure in 2007.
But the team of '08 is made of sterner stuff and dug deep to repel the final assault and turn defence into attack, culminating in wing Clinton Schifcofske's 80th minute penalty goal to seal the victory, to the delight of the loyal Reds suppporters in the crowd of 19,183.
Two of the Reds' tries went to the video referee for adjudication: Schifcofske's corner-hugging score just before halftime and the second of Roe's pick and drives over the line.
The video was inconclusive, but referee Marius Jonkers was given no reason to disallow either score.
QR Reds Head Coach Phil Mooney was pleased to win first up but was not satisfied with the final result.
"We're a far better footy side than that, I want to see us win by more and get the bonus point," he said.
"But it's a good way to start the season.
"Our defence was fantastic, they (Highlanders) scored only one try and that was from a lineout gone wrong.
"We had front-rowers putting in cover tackles and hookers putting in cover tackles," he said.
One of many Reds heroes on the night was fullback Chris Latham, felled by a heavy tackle that left him dazed and with mouth bloodied. As he was being treated on the ground the game continued on around him and, sensing he was needed back in the line, he shrugged off his carers and jumped to his feet, seconds later making a diving tackle to stop a Highlanders drive.
Mooney joked that Latham had done a "Fonda Metassa", a reference to the Queensland sporting folklore story of the celebrated rugby league winger who, on the same ground, once burst out of the back of the ambulance that was carrying him from the field so he could rejoin the play.
Others to impress included Schifcofske and fellow wing Digby Ioane, who showed he would be a real crowd pleaser with his elusive feet and strength to break tackles. Reserve hooker Sean Hardman won his 112th cap for the Reds, making him Queensland's most capped hooker.
Roe was pleased with the win but said the team was not getting carried away.
"We've won one game and we should have won it better. And we will.
"And that's the good thing about the team, they do want to improve, they do want to win games with more style and score more tries."
QR Reds 22 (John Roe 2 Clinton Schifcofske tries Schifcofske 2 cons pen) def Highlanders 16 (Adam Thompson try Paul Williams 2 Daniel Bowden pens Mike Delany con) Crowd: 19,183.
Media conference highlights (wma audio files):
QR Reds captain John Roe said the team is not getting carried away with its first up win. He paid tribute to the desperation in defence and rejected suggestions the Reds were not match fit. Roe conceded it will take time to complete the recovery from last year's horror season.
