The Queensland Reds’ finals hopes took a heart-breaking blow across the ditch, as Folau Fakatava – the heir apparent to Aaron Smith – scored a wonderful try in the 80th minute to secure a dramatic 35-30 victory in Dunedin.
In an entertaining match under the roof, Tom Lynagh – the son of former World Cup-winning Wallaby, Michael – gave the Reds a 28-27 lead in the 73rd minute with a long-range penalty.
But the Reds failed to wrap up the match after a little knock from Hunter Paisami following a big shot in defence forced the ball free.
It left the Highlanders one last opportunity, as the 2015 Super Rugby champions shifted the ball right from the scrum.
Step up Fakatava, the lively 23-year-old who made his All Blacks debut last year off the bench, who threw a typically big dummy, fooled Fraser McReight and scooted down the short side to score the match-winning try and send Smith off a winner in his last home game.
The win was the Highlanders’ second straight late victory and it kept their finals hopes alive for another week, as Billy Harman’s men moved into eighth spot on 23 points.
Folau Fakatava dives over to score the match-winning try against the Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on May 26, 2023, in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
“What a finish,” Harman said. “Unbelievable, we were desperate, we needed that win.
“In the locker-room, we talked about that we needed to keep fighting in the second half. The physicality was there, we just needed to execute and stay in it and that’s what we did.
“Awesome way to send off ‘Nuggy’ [Smith] in his final home game, but it’s also a few of the other boys finals game as well, so it’s awesome we could do it for everyone.”
Jona Nareki Highlanders celebrates scoring a first half try against the Queensland Reds at Forsyth Barr Stadium, on May 26, 2023, in Dunedin. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
A victory would have seen the Reds seal their place in the Super Rugby finals, but their season is now hanging by a thread despite clinging onto seventh spot ahead of the final regular season match of the year against the Drua in Fiji.
“It was pretty frantic out there,” McReight said.
“There were a lot of moving parts. Credit to the Highlanders, who were able to get the job done at the money time. Unfortunately that’s a big loss for us.
“It’s tough, Fiji in Fiji. But the one thing going for us is that’s an eight-day turnaround, so we’ll use that extra day to recover, rest up, prepare and do a job in Fiji.’
More to come…
You must be logged in to post a comment Login