The St.George Queensland Reds have gone down 34-15 to the Hurricanes in Round 6 of Vodafone Super Rugby at Suncorp Stadium.
In front of 17,439 spectators, the defending champions crossed for two early tries but the Reds show composure to claw their way back into the contest and trail by just two points at half-time.
It was a gruelling second-half for the home side who were forced to defend their own line for sustained periods of time.
“In that second half, there was a period where we played some really exciting football but probably threw a few too many offloads and turned the ball over which killed us.
"The team we're trying to build here and the culture we're building is definitely not happy with a courageous loss. We're here to win football games." - Head coach, Nick Stiles
LIVE BLOG - First Half
TEAM CHANGE: Phil Kite is in line for a potential Queensland and Super Rugby debut, after Markus Vanzati was ruled out of tonight's match due to a calf strain. Sam Talakai will start at loosehead, with Taniela Tupou off the bench to starting tighthead.
4 min | Penalty McIntyre for the Reds, McIntyre misses score remains nil all.
12 min | Still nil all.
14 min | Hurricanes open up the scoring with a try through Julian Savea conversion to come.
16 min | Jordie kick is successful Hurricanes lead 7 nil.
18 min | TJ Perenara crosses for the Hurricanes second try, kick to come.
10 min | Jordie Barrett slots conversion, Hurricanes lead 14 nil.
23 min | Possible Try for the Hurricanes through Beauden Barrett TMO to decide.
23 min | No try, Yellow Card awarded to Negani Laumape, Hurricanes reduced to 14 men.
28 min | TRY!! Reds Kuridrani over in the corner from an offload by Higginbothem. McIntyre conversion unsuccessful Hurricanes lead 14 Reds 5.
33 min | TRY! Higginbotham is over, McIntyre conversion successful Reds trail 14 -12.
HT - Hurricanes lead 14 -12.
Photo: Scott Higginbotham crosses for a try. Credit: Meggie Whitchurch.
HALF TIME
RED 12 - HUR 14
LIVE BLOG - Second Half
45 min | Vince Aso is over for the Hurricane to kick off second half, conversion unsuccessful. Hurricanes lead 19 - 12.
48min | SUB: Ready on for Moore.
52 min | Try for the Hurricanes through Mark Abbott, score 24 - 12 kick to come.
53 min | NO TRY. Abbott put his foot into touch. Score remains 19 - 12.
54 min | Possible try to Hurricanes. TMO to decide.
54 min | No try. Hurricanes awarded scrum for original knock on. Score remains 19 - 12 to the Hurricanes.
58 min | SUB Persese on for Hunt.
61 min| SUB Sanday on for Talakai.
65 min | SUB Frisby on for Tuttle.
67 min | Penalty awarded to Hurricanes, Barrett conversion successful. Hurricanes lead 22 -12.
69 min | Penalty to the Reds. Successful kick by McIntyre. Score 22 - 15 to Hurricanes.
71 min | SUB Tui on for Douglas.
72 min | Try to Jordie Barrett takes Hurricanes to 27 - 15, kick to come.
74 min | Barrett converts his own try, Hurricanes lead 29 - 15.
76 min | SUB Kite on for Tupou to make his Super Rugby debut.
78 min | Try for the Hurricanes through Beauden Barrett, conversion unsuccessful score 34 - 15 to the Hurricanes.
FT | Hurricanes 34 Reds 15.
Photo: Samu Kerevi carries the ball into contact. Credit: Sportography.
