The Reds erased a seven-point deficit to overcome a spirited Rebels side 32-13 in their final pre-season fixture in Brisbane on Tuesday.
Coaches from both sides fielded their strongest available starting lineups, with the return of mercurial flyhalf Quade Cooper headlining the Reds' team and the inclusion of Japan loose forward Amanaki Mafi emerging as the main drawcard in the Rebels side.
The game got off to an explosive start when speedster Sefu Naivula beat four defenders to score under the post for the Rebels. No 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop succeeded with the conversion before trading penalties with Cooper for a 10-3 scoreline in favour of the visitors.
Some brilliant interplay between Cooper and fullback Karmichael Hunt then led to a converted try for lock Rob Simmons to level the scores in the 20th minute. Both teams lacked discipline, as the kickers traded penalties again, but a try on the stroke of half-time pushed the Reds into the lead for the first time.
Winger Eto Nabuli split the Rebels defence and Cooper slotted the conversion as the Reds led 20-13 at the break.
The opening quarter of the second half was scoreless as both team tightened up their defence, but on the hour-mark replacement wing Chris Kuridrani, younger brother of Nemani Nadolo, scuttled away for the Reds' third try. After that the match fizzled out a bit, but No 8 Scott Higginbotham crossed for a late converted try as the Reds concluded their Super Rugby preparations on a high.
Reds – Tries: Rob Simmons, Eto Nabuli, Chris Kuridrani, Scott Higginbotham. Conversions: Quade Cooper (2), Jake McIntyre. Penalties: Cooper (2).
Rebels – Tries: Sefa Naivalu. Conversions: Jackson Garden-Bachop. Penalty: Garden Bachop (2).
Reds – 15 Karmichael Hunt, 14 Izaia Perese, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Duncan Paia'aua, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Leroy Houston, 7 Adam Korczyk, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Sam Takalai, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 James Slipper.
Subs: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Markus Vanzati, 18 Sef Fa'agase, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Michael Gunn, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Chris Kuridrani, 24 Izack Rodda, 25 Scott Higginbotham, 26 Henry Taefu, 27 Tyrone Lefau, 28 Lachlan Maranta, 29 Jayden Ngaman.
Rebels – 15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Tom English, 12 Reece Hodge, 11 Jonah Placid, 10 Jackson Garden-Bachop, 9 Nic Stirzaker, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga'a, 6 Lopeti Timani, 5 Steve Cummins, 4 Culum Retallick, 3 Laurie Weeks, 2 James Hanson, 1 Toby Smith.
Subs:16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Cruze Ah-Nau, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Murray Douglas, 20 Jordy Reid, 21 Ben Meehan, 22 Sione Tuipulotu, 23 Jack Debreczeni, 24 Jake Schatz, 25 Dennis Pili-Gaitau, 26 Ben Volavola.
Photo: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images
