Chiefs defeat Reds 31-21 at Suncorp Stadium

Queensland Reds 21-31 Chiefs, Suncorp Stadium

The Chiefs moved to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific ladder with a hard-fought 31-21 victory over the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.

In a tense contest shaped by key penalties, missed opportunities and late drama, the visitors finished stronger to deal a major blow to Queensland’s hopes of securing a home qualifying final.

Wallace Sititi and Samisoni Taukei’aho scored two tries each for the Chiefs, while Damian McKenzie added the conversions and a penalty to guide the visitors home.

Reds Start Fast Through Anderson

The Reds made a strong start and opened the scoring in the eighth minute when Lachie Anderson crossed in his comeback match from a dislocated wrist.

However, Queensland failed to control the restart, and the Chiefs immediately punished the mistake. Sititi crossed to level the scores and shift momentum back towards the visitors.

The Reds then struggled with their lineout, losing multiple throws during the opening half. Their frustration grew as they failed to build sustained attacking pressure despite creating chances.

Chiefs Take Control Before Halftime

The Chiefs edged ahead through a McKenzie penalty before extending their lead with a rolling maul try from Taukei’aho.

Queensland thought they had struck back after the halftime siren through Seru Uru, but the effort was ruled held up after review. The decision left the Reds frustrated and kept the Chiefs in control at the break.

Reds Fight Back In Second Half

The Reds needed a spark and found one through a brilliant attacking move in the 65th minute. Carter Gordon released Harry Wilson with a cut-out pass, and Wilson produced a clever no-look offload to send Joe Brial over for a try.

That score brought Queensland back into the contest, but their hopes were hit when Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was shown a yellow card shortly afterwards.

The Chiefs capitalised immediately, with Taukei’aho scoring his second from another powerful maul to restore breathing room.

Sititi Seals Chiefs Victory

Queensland refused to go away and Treyvon Pritchard produced a sharp finish in the corner for his first Super Rugby Pacific try, cutting the margin to three points with six minutes remaining.

But a late breakdown penalty against the Reds gave the Chiefs the final chance. Rather than taking the shot at goal, the visitors chose a scrum against 14 men and made the decision count. Sititi powered over in the 79th minute for his second try, sealing the 31-21 win.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Lachie Anderson, 10 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 9 Kalani Thomas, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Seru Uru, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 George Blake

Reserves: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 18 Nick Bloomfield, 19 Hamish Muller, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Louis Werchon, 22 Carter Gordon, 23 Treyvon Pritchard

Chiefs: 15 Isaac Hutchinson, 14 Kyren Taumoefolau, 13 Kyle Brown, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Liam Coombes-Fabling, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Xavier Roe, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Luke Jacobson (c), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Josh Lord, 3 George Dyer, 2 Tyrone Thompson, 1 Ollie Norris

Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Reuben O’Neill, 19 Fiti Sa, 20 Seuseu Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Josh Jacomb, 23 Lalakai Foketi