Hurricanes too strong for Queensland Reds at AAMI Park

The Queensland Reds have fallen 30-17 to the Hurricanes in Round 10 of Harvey Norman Super Rugby Pacific in Melbourne.
 
Queensland led 17-nil at the half-hour mark, before allowing the New Zealanders to score 30 unanswered points in front of a strong crowd at AAMI Park for the inaugural Super Round weekend.
 
Fraser McReight and Hamish Stewart both crossed for tries in the defeat, while Lawson Creighton made his Queensland and Super Rugby starting debut at flyhalf.
 
Creighton opened the scoring early with a penalty goal, before the Hurricanes were reduced to 14-men with Bailyn Sullivan yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle.
 
Stewart extended the Queensland lead to 10-nil in the 23^rd minute with his second try of 2022. It was a Hunter Paisami break which started the points-scoring sequence, the Wallaby centre slicing through the defence before finding Taniela Tupou who linked with Stewart to score under the posts.
 
A second Hurricanes yellow card gave Queensland another attacking opportunity in the New Zealander’s half and it was McReight who capitalised, the flanker diving over for his side’s second try. Creighton continued his perfect form off the tee to give Queensland a 17-nil lead with 10-minutes to play in the opening half.
                                                                                                                                  
Sullivan had the Hurricanes’ first try of the night in the 36^th minute, cutting the Queensland lead to 17-7.
 
Connor Vest was shown a yellow card on the stroke of half-time for a high tackle, and the Hurricanes made the most of their advantage with a Tyrell Lomax try bringing the score to 17-14 at the break.
 
The Hurricanes raced out of the blocks in the second-forty to claim their first lead of the match with another Lomax try, before a Barrett penalty and a second Sullivan try put the final score out to 30-17.
 
Queensland return home next round to host the Chiefs at Suncorp Stadium on Friday 29 April. Tickets are available via reds.rugby.
 
Queensland Reds 17

Tries: Stewart, McReight
Conversions: Creighton 2
Penalties: Creighton
 
Hurricanes 30

Tries: Sullivan 2, Lomax 2
Conversions: Barrett 2
Penalties: Barrett 2

Queensland Reds Substitutions
 
56^th minute – Angus Scott-Young for Connor Vest
60^th minute – Kalani Thomas for Tate McDermott
62^nd minute – Feao Fotuaika for Taniela Tupou
62^nd minute – Dane Zander for Harry Hoopert
71^st minute – Josh Flook for Suliasi Vunivalu
71^st minute – Matt Faessler for Richie Asiata
71^st minute – Mac Grealy for Filipo Daugunu
78^th minute – Richie Asiata for Matt Faessler
78^th minute – Tate McDermott for Kalani Thomas
 
Queensland Reds Matchday 23
1. Harry Hoopert 2. Richie Asiata 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Ryan Smith 5. Angus Blyth 6. Connor Vest. 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson 9. Tate McDermott (c) 10. Lawson Creighton  11. Filipo Daugunu 12. Hamish Stewart 13. Hunter Paisami 14. Suliasi Vunivalu 15. Jock Campbell 16. Matt Faessler 17. Dane Zander 18. Feao Fotuaika 19. Lopeti Faifua 20. Angus Scott-Young 21. Kalani Thomas 22. Josh Flook 23. Mac Grealy