The brave Queensland Reds fell 46-24 on Saturday night in showery Hamilton where the Chiefs ended the 2026 campaign in the qualifying final.
The Reds showed their fight to lead 17-15 just before half-time in the do-or-die affair in Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific.
The contest was still very much alive when the Reds patiently pounded their way through 24 phases to get within a metre of the Chiefs tryline when trying to peg back a 29-17 deficit early in the second half.
When replacement winger Treyvon Pritchard was tackled into touch just a metre short of the corner post at the 55-minute mark, the Reds were not to know their best chance at a rally had been stifled.
The Reds gave their all. Skipper Fraser McReight, in his 100th game as a Red, was in everything whether it was working at the breakdown, tackling or urging.
Halfback Tate McDermott was a schemer throughout his 64 minutes of action and No.8 Harry Wilson got through 20 tackles and 16 ball-carries.
Lock Josh Canham’s lineout catching in the wet conditions was excellent. Late in the game, replacement hooker Matt Faessler scored from a mauling drive off a 5m lineout, one of the rare times the Chiefs have conceded one.
“I’m bloody proud of the boys and gutted for them at the same time,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“In the first half, there were a number of heavy collisions and a lot cat-and-mouse with both sides testing out the other in different ways.
“That try they scored a minute before half-time probably gave them a boost but, at half-time, we were still confident in what we were doing.
“It wasn’t easy for the Chiefs tonight. Fair play, they managed the second half very well.”
Skipper McReight knew his team had stood up physically in the biggest occasion of the season.
“It was a dogfight. It was physical. You know it’s going to be like that in finals footy and the boys love that,” McReight said.
“I think we were really good in that area. We didn’t grab some moments when they were in front of us. The Chiefs did and they are a good side.”
McReight pondered what it meant for the season to end so abruptly after so much effort in what will be Kiss’s last match as Reds coach after three seasons.
“You can’t just say ‘fifth and another qualifying final exit’. We left everything out there,” McReight said.
“Look at how close the comp is. We get one more win and we are tied with the Crusaders and maybe we get a home final.
“We did some unbelievable things this year. We won in Fiji for the first time, we won in Canberra for the first time in years, we beat the Crusaders and we took the Blues to the wire.
“Les has been huge (over three years). I think you are seeing all the senior players playing their best footy under Les and that’s no coincidence.
“He has shown this ability to bring people through, other coaches, our talent pool and give us rope to grow. He’s someone who cares so much about individuals and this team. He’s been great for my leadership and playing development.”
The Reds were down 3-0 early before a try to lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto. He capitalised in the play that followed Jock Campbell putting McReight through a hole.
Both sides had to deal with a yellow card in the first half. Salakaia-Loto had a 10-minute spell after Chiefs No.8 Wallace Sititi was concussed. Referee James Doleman made it clear that a friendly-fire head clash with Chiefs prop Sione Ahio significantly contributed.
Down 15-7, the Reds struck back for 15-14 when prop Aidan Ross scored after a burst of quick pick-and-goes off a tap penalty.
Carter Gordon was four-from-four with the boot for the night and a penalty goal gave the Reds a 17-15 lead on 33 minutes.
A second try for Chiefs winger Kyren Taumoefolau gave the home side a 22-17 lead at the break. A Damian McKenzie quick tap try after the resumption stung because 29-17 was tough to claw back.
All Black McKenzie was the man who put the match beyond the Reds. He scored a second at the 64-minute mark for 36-17. At the death, it was his audacious backhanded spiral pass infield that set up a final try.
All the while, the flyhalf knocked over his kicks. With five conversions and two penalty goals, his personal tally was 26 points.
CHIEFS 46
Tries: Kyren Taumoefolau 2, Damian McKenzie 2, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Isaac Hutchinson
Conversions: Damian McKenzie 5
Penalty Goals: Damian McKenzie 2
Def
QUEENSLAND REDS 24
Tries: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler
Conversions: Carter Gordon 3
Penalty Goal: Carter Gordon
Half-time: Chiefs 22-Reds 17
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
