Reds edge past Sharks in a thrilling 28-26 victory

Reds 28-26 Sharks, Suncorp Stadium
Scorecard

Replacement James Tuttle scored a try in the final 10 minutes as Reds came from behind to score a close 28-26 victory in the opening round of the Super Rugby tournament at Suncorp Stadium on Friday.

Flanker Jean-Luc du Preez got Sharks off the mark with a first minute try which was followed by a conversion from fly-half Patrick Lambie.

Lambie and his counterpart Quade Cooper exchanged two penalties each as Sharks maintained the seven-point lead at the end of 30 minutes.

Reds went on to level the scores when number eight Scott Higginbotham crossed over in the 32nd minute and Cooper adding the extras but lock Ruan Botha scored a penalty at the stroke of half-time to take Sharks to three-point lead.

Lambie stretched the lead to six points with a 44th minute penalty but Samu Kerevi rumbled past the post in the 48th minute to bring down the gap to one point.

Lock Kane Douglas was sin-binned in the 56th minute which was capitalised by Sharks number eight Lubabalo Mtembu and by the end of third quarter, Sharks had a lead of eight points.

However, Kerevi and Tuttle scored tries in the final quarter to seal a thrilling two point victory for the home team.