Queensland’s revival under Les Kiss has continued, with the Reds snapping a 12-year drought in Dunedin after shocking the Highlanders 29-23 on Saturday afternoon.
“It’s very special, we talked about it all week,” first-time Reds captain Harry Wilson said.
“It had been since 2013 and we want to be a side that can re-write those sort of history books.
“For us to do that missing a few keys players, the next boys in our team stood up and they were immense.”
Lachie Anderson celebrates scoring during the Queensland Reds win over the Highlanders at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, New Zealand. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Making the Reds’ win all the more special was that it was done without several of the side’s best players, with Tate McDermott and Ryan Smith rested for the clash, and Wallabies Fraser McReight, Liam Wright, Matt Faessler, Josh Nasser, Josh Flook and Jock Campbell injured.
Wilson was phenomenal in the win, making 14 tackles, 11 runs for 33 metres and one clean break.
The Reds’ front-row, led by Richie Asiata, were excellent, while the second-row of Josh Canham and Angus Blyth were physical.
Kalani Thomas, McDermott’s long-time back-up in the No.9 jersey, also showed his spark and developing talent. Indeed, the No.9 opened the scoring by backing up well on the inside after some quality from Blyth in the middle.
Hunter Paisami and Filipo Daugunu were physical and provided an edge in the midfield, while Tim Ryan also had one of his best involvements this year by breaking free to help swing the momentum in the Reds’ favour in the second half.
The Reds’ character and patience was firmly on display under the roof in New Zealand’s south.
Despite running out to a 12-0 lead early, the momentum switched midway through the opening half as the Reds’ hands, set-piece and discipline hurt them.
The Highlanders, who are undergoing their own resurgence under Jamie Joseph, then went back, bang to hit back and take a 17-12 lead at half-time.
The lead could have been even greater, with Reds fullback Heremaia Murray shown a yellow card for a deliberate knockdown in the 36th minute in a play that continued and saw the Highlanders celebrating what they thought was their third try of the half.
But the TMO correctly intervened spotting an accidental offside in the lead up to the runaway moment.
Wanting to press home their advantage the Highlanders had to settle with a five-point lead after 40 minutes.
The lead didn’t build after the break either with an ugly five minutes denying the Highlanders of the momentum they craved with the numerical advantage.
While the Highlanders eventually settled for a penalty after 51 minutes, another twist was around the corner as the home side’s scrum capitulated.
Even with Ethan de Groot packing down at loose-head prop the Highlanders were blown off the park at the set-piece and the Reds slowly took full advantage of their dominance.
Reds back Filipo Duagunu, who was once again outstanding at outside centre, showed some street-smarts by scoring next to the ruck.
Then de Groot was shown a yellow for hands in the ruck after the Reds’ scrum took the Highlanders to the cleaners.
Reds winger Lachie Anderson then scored to put the visitors in front, before Daugunu crossed for his second.
Lachie Anderson scores a try at Forsyth Barr Stadium on March 22, 2025. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
A rare poor day at the office from the kicking tee for Tom Lynagh kept the locals in the contest, but the Reds’ defence held firm.
“We were pretty disappointed at half time,” Wilson said.
“We thought we didn’t play our brand of footy, we didn’t step up and weren’t good enough in contact.
“We wanted to fix that – and the scrum changed the game for us. It gained us momentum and that extra leg.”
The six-point win across the ditch, which happened a year after the Reds beat the Crusaders in Christchurch for the first time in 25 years, continued the side’s surge up the Super Rugby rankings where they are now in second spot on 19 points – three points behind the Chiefs, who have played an extra game.
