The Queensland Reds ground down the ACT Brumbies 31-25 in a workmanlike performance on Saturday to end 15 years without a win at Canberra Stadium.
Razor-sharp flyhalf Quade Cooper slotted home seven penalty goals and a wobbly drop goal in a 26-point game as the Reds staved off a late fightback to spoil Tony Rea’s debut as Brumbies caretaker coach.
“We said at half-time, just to grind the game out, take the points on offer and just be patient and that was the key,” said Cooper, who quashed the Brumbies’ last-ditch attempt for a winning try by stealing the ball at the breakdown after the final whistle.
“We tried to rush things in the previous weeks and it just hasn’t paid off for us … It’s been a bigger contest at the breakdown and we really worked on that this week.”
The Brumbies scored four tries to the Reds’ one, and finished with a second bonus point for losing within seven points, but that was little consolation for the Canberra-based side who sacked coach Andy Friend midweek following their last-gasp, one-point loss to the Melbourne Rebels.
After being trounced by the Waratahs last week, the Reds shelved their entertaining running game, stacking their bench with forward muscle and showing fierce resolve at the breakdown.
The result was a 10-0 lead within 12 minutes, with flanker Scott Higginbotham crashing over the line right of the posts after receiving a slick pass out of a ruck from flyhalf Will Genia.
Wallaby front-rower Steven Moore caught the Reds defence napping eight minutes later, however, taking a quick tap after an offside penalty in the 22 and bursting through for the Brumbies’ first try.
High tackle
Fullback Pat McCabe gave the Brumbies their second try eight minutes before the break, stepping past Cooper and ducking back inside to plant the ball right of the posts.
The enterprising Cooper kept the Brumbies at bay, however, slotting a drop goal and a fourth penalty kick on the stroke of half-time to give the Reds a 22-15 lead at the break.
The Reds were reduced to 14 until eight minutes into the second half after prop Ben Daley was sin-binned for a high tackle on McCabe.
The Brumbies rallied to within two points after prop Ben Alexander threw long and wide into the arms of Tongan number eight Ita Vaea, who cantered over for his first career try.
Cooper stepped up again, however, scoring another three penalties to give the Reds an 11-point break with 10 minutes left.
Matt Giteau had a chance to bring the Brumbies within a try of winning after Alexander crossed four minutes later, but his conversion kick pounded the left upright to ease the pressure.
It was Giteau’s third missed conversion of the night. – Reuters