PerthNow logo

Brad Thorn’s Reds make it three straight Super Rugby wins for the first time since 2013

Christy DoranFOX SPORTS

DEFENCE was the hallmark on which Brad Thorn built his career and in his first month as a Super Rugby coach his young Reds side have shown that they have the same fighting qualities after a remarkable 18-7 win against the Jaguares.

The Reds survived a barrage of attacking waves in the second half in Buenos Aires to record their third straight victory.

In previous years the Jaguares’ poor discipline killed their chances, but this time it was their ball security and set piece that wilted under the sustained pressure of Thorn’s Reds.

It is the first time since 2013 that the Reds have three straight victories.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

READ NOW

Making their early season form even more remarkable is that the Reds’ winning run has come despite the early season suspensions of Test forwards Scott Higginbotham and Lukhan Tui, injury to George Smith and absence of Test backs Quade Cooper and Karmichael Hunt.

The win sees the Reds move into outright second on the Australian conference on 12 points, three behind the Rebels who travel to Sydney to take on the Waratahs at 4.05pm Sunday AEDT.

“I just think overall, across the board, we defended really well,” captain James Slipper said.

“We gave the Jaguares a lot of ball and we tested ourselves a fair bit in defence.

The Game AFL 2024

“Our set piece stood up really well up front and set the platform for our win.”

Thorn’s hard nosed coaching approach is also winning over the fans, with five-eighth Jono Lance tweeting a photo of the happy team posing with a clever Game of Thrones themed banner made by touring Reds supporters.

LIVE stream the 2018 Super Rugby Season on FOX SPORTS. Get your free 2-week Foxtel Now trial & start watching in minutes. SIGN UP NOW >

The Reds arrived in Buenos Aires hoping to snap a horrendous run on the road, having won just one of their last 17 matches away.

But, unlike the Waratahs who conceded a try after just 16 seconds at the same venue, it was the Reds who scored first points against the Jaguares, from the boot of halfback James Tuttle.

The Jaguares’ response was emphatic, with winger Bautista Delguy on the end of a lovely set move from a scrum to score in the seventh minute.

While the home side led for much of the first half, it was the Reds with all the possession.

But for all their time with ball in hand, the Reds couldn’t cut through the Jaguares’ defence and two poor passes from Lance added to the frustration.

A try to Reds hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa from a rolling maul put the Reds 8-7 in front after 29 minutes.

Tuttle’s second penalty of the first half extended their lead to four points.

The Jaguares won the kick restart though and they appeared certain to score on a number of occasions, but some desperation in defence and pressure at the lineout saw the Reds hold out.

In a similar vein to last week when they scored early in the second half against the Bulls, a try to electric Fijian winger Filipo Daugunu in the 48th minute proved to be the decisive moment of the Reds’ win.

Daugunu’s try came off a lineout throw on their own 10m line, which saw No 8 Caleb Timu hit a hole and link with backs Samu Kerevi and Chris Feauai-Sautia before putting the Fijian away down the right wing.

No 8 Timu was outstanding for the Reds and well and truly made up for Higginbotham’s absence.

The Jaguares dominated the final 30 minutes of play and had a ton of possession.

Thorn’s side were fortunate not to lose a player to the sin bin after a continual flow of penalties.

But the Jaguares only had themselves to blame for not capitalising on their stack of possession, as the Reds kept the home side scoreless in the second half.

Until last week, the Reds hadn’t kept a side scoreless in a half since 2015.

Caleb Timu was in destructive form for the Reds in Buenos Aires.
Camera IconCaleb Timu was in destructive form for the Reds in Buenos Aires. Credit: AFP

Jaguares captain Pablo Matera praised the Reds’ defensive work, but questioned referee Paul Williams’ decision to not go to the pocket earlier.

“They brought a really great defence,” Matera said.

“It was a really physical game and it was really hard to get inside their in goal.

“They made a lot of penalties in their 22 and they didn’t get the yellow card that I think they deserve.

“But they had a really good defence and it was fair that they win the game.”

The Reds now travel to South Africa to take on the Stormers, who returned to winning ways this weekend with a 37-20 win over the Blues.

The Reds will welcome back captain Higginbotham after serving a three week suspension, but face a nervous wait on Test lock Kane Douglas who could come under scrutiny after making contact with the head of an opponent with his shoulder in a tackle.

After a number of replays, Douglas escaped with a penalty, with Williams deeming that he wrapped his arms around the ball carrier.

“It’s going to be a tough game again in Cape Town against the Stormers,” Slipper said.

“We’ve got a lot of travel to go through again.

“But we’ll enjoy this win.

“It’s a special one for us.

“We haven’t won away from home for a long time, so to win away on tour, especially in Argentina, we’ll enjoy it, but we know we’ve got a fair bit of work to do.”