'Border-line embarrassing': McKellar unloads after 'soft' moments in Reds defeat

Sat, Mar 15, 2025, 12:26 PM
AW
by AAP and Nathan Williamson

NSW Waratahs coach Dan McKellar has shown his frustration after their 35-15 defeat to the Queensland Reds.

The Waratahs matched the Reds for the first quarter before the hosts blew them off the back.

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The visitors were ahead 8-7 before conceding the next 28 points, including a rolling maul try to Richie Asiata that went from the 22-metre line.

This moment, amongst others, frustrated McKellar as their perfect start to the season came to a crashing halt.

"We didn't capitalise," he said of their early dominance.

"Yellow card and then we sort of fell off the cliff. Some really soft moments that are not good enough.

"That maul try was border-line embarrassing for all involved."

Asked what went wrong with that maul defence, first-time skipper Hugh Sinclair was blunt.

"You've got to put your head in the maul and f***ing stop it ... excuse my French," he said.

Meanwhile, Reds coach Les Kiss, happy to bounce back from last Sunday's poor display against the Crusaders, praised his side's defensive desperation and disciplined physicality.

"They pushed us off kilter a bit, but I was proud how we worked our way back," Kiss said.

"It was gritty and determined ... that gave us the points."

Kiss confirmed an AC joint injury to Fraser McReight, with the back-rower landing awkwardly after scoring in the corner.

His injury isn't expected to be serious, although is highly unlikely to play next week regardless of whether he's fit or not as Kiss indicated he was planning to rest McReight after his big month.

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