Late try sinks shattered Reds

With his aspect main 30-28 within the dying phases, Reds substitute centre Hunter Paisami gifted the Highlanders possession with what was to show a pricey knock-on when making an attempt to choose up a free ball.

The hosts went large with the ball from the scrum earlier than substitute halfback Folau Fakatava dashed down the blind aspect to attain within the nook, with the match-winning attempt transformed by flyhalf Freddie Burns to rub additional salt into the Reds’ wounds.

The win stored alive the Highlanders’ probabilities of taking part in finals soccer subsequent month, whereas the Reds, who picked up some extent in defeat, additionally stay within the finals reckoning.

However, the Queenslanders are but to cement a top-eight berth and a loss to Fijian Drua in Suva subsequent Saturday might have dire penalties.

Reds flanker Fraser McReight paid credit score to the Highlanders for the win however lamented what may need been for a Queensland aspect that led 14-0 and 27-14 at totally different phases within the contest.

“They were able to get the job done right at money time and unfortunately that’s a big loss for us,” McReight mentioned.

However, he was assured the Reds might bounce again in Fiji subsequent weekend.

“It’s tough … but the one thing going for us is that it’s an eight-day turnaround so we’ll use that extra day to recover, rest up, prepare and do a job in Fiji.”

However, the Reds are anticipated to be with out co-captains Liam Wright (shoulder) and Tate McDermott (concussion), who have been each pressured off within the first half.

Wright was injured in scoring the sport’s opening attempt within the seventh minute.

However, his substitute Jake Upfield picked up the place the injured flanker left off, crossing for an additional Queensland attempt 5 minutes later after a stunning 95-metre motion that was began by No.8 Harry Wilson and included slick play from returning centre James O’Connor and McDermott.

But after their blistering begin, the Reds couldn’t keep their momentum, with the Highlanders scoring the sport’s subsequent two tries by winger Jona Noreki and No.8 Hugh Renton to make sure the scoreboard had been levelled by the twenty eighth minute.

The Reds then steadied to regain the lead two minutes earlier than half-time with a attempt from winger Suliasi Vunivalu.

Second-half penalty targets from flyhalf Tom Lynagh prolonged Queensland’s result in 13 factors earlier than the hosts responded with a attempt from substitute prop Saula Ma’u.

The Highlanders then went forward 28-27 within the 69th minute with a transformed attempt from one other substitute in Connor Garden-Bachop.

Lynagh nailed a 40-metre penalty to revive Queensland’s lead in seventy fifth minute earlier than Fakatava’s late attempt ensured it was an evening to recollect for the Kiwi outfit.