QR Reds claim bonus point win over Bulls
It was a victory for the true believers as the QR Reds scored a crushing 40-8 defeat over reigning Investec Super 14 champions The Bulls at Suncorp Stadium.
The hard work that had been put in by the team and coaching staff and messages of support from fans across the state were repaid with the five try, bonus point victory over the Bulls, the team responsible for last year's record 92-3 defeat of the Reds.
“It’s probably one of the better wins for Queensland rugby in recent times," said captain and scrumhalf Sam Cordingley, who acknowledged the satisfaction of the remarkable 121 point turnaround on last year's result, albeit by a team that contained only three members of the 2007 starting side at Loftus Versfeld.
"We're not looking back to last year. That was 2007. We’re the 2008 Reds. We’ve got that little bit of a monkey off our back after last year’s performance.”
Head coach Phil Mooney said the victory was based on an aggressive forward performance which laid the platform for the talented Reds' backline to fire, with four of the five tries scored by the backs and wing Clinton Schifcofske posting a personal tally of 20 points.
“Words can’t really describe how we feel. We made some tough decisions during the week and clearly we were under pressure. The way the boys responded was terrific. There were a lot of elements involved and they all were aligned tonight. You saw the result,” said Mooney.
Backrower John Roe scored the final try of the match, a fitting reward for his week of personal sacrifice, when he stood aside as captain for the good of the team.
“It’s a measure of his character and resolve to score that last try," Mooney said.
"You couldn’t have scripted that. John has been terrific all week and I was so happy to see him play well tonight,” Mooney said.
New skipper Cordingley said the Reds players had accepted his challenge to dominate their opposite number, especially the younger brigade.
New QR Reds flanker Poutasi Luafutu made an impressive and fearless debut; flyhalf Quade Cooper accepted the challenge of guiding the attack and set up Turinui's try with a deft chip over the defence; inside centre Charlie Fetoai, an 11th hour replacement for Berrick Barnes, slotted in smoothly in his first starting appearance and replacement backrower Scott Higginbotham put a big hit on dangerman Bryan Habana when he came on in the second half for his Reds debut.
Mooney said the forwards especially refused to be bullied by the giant Bulls pack and even drove their scrum backwards in the second half.
"They nearly made it to the carpark," said a beaming Reds' forward coach Mark Bell of that particular Reds scrum.
The Reds named lock James Horwill their player of the match.
QR Reds 40 (Chris Latham, Peter Hynes, Clinton Schifcofske, Morgan Turinui, John Roe tries Schifcofske 3 cons, 3 pens) def Bulls 8 (Fourie Du Preez try Derick Hougaard pen) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 14,411.
In what was a big night for the Reds squad, the QAS Reds 2nd XV defeated the Brumby Runners 24-17, scoring four tries to three to avenge their 31-5 last start loss.
QAS Reds 2nd XV 24 (Ole Avei, Aidan Toua, Ben Tapui, Blair Connor tries, Andrew Walker 2 con) def Brumby Runners 17 (Nick Haydon 2, Jone Tawake tries, Rowan Kellam 2 con).
