The Queensland Reds will go into the finals with confidence after a 45-24 win over the Fijian Drua in Brisbane.
Again, the Reds dug deep after a second half Drua comeback, showing their quality for the bonus point victory.
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But what did we learn?
The Reds might have got a bonus point win but there’s a serious warning out of this game.
Once again, the hosts fell asleep and let a good position go, this time switching off after half-time and inviting the Drua back into the game after back-to-back tries.
It came after a similar situation against Moana Pasifika, with their response this week much more emphatic. It builds confidence they are never out of games, with their lethal attack and desperate scramble enough to turn any contest.
However, they can’t afford a big lapse against the Chiefs or Hurricanes. If they do, it’ll be the Chiefs in 2024 all over again, when on that day they conceded 28 unanswered points in the first 24 minutes.
One of the biggest ‘what ifs’ for the Reds will be what their season looks like if they had Josh Canham and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto playing together all year.
The two anchored a near-perfect night for the Reds, with their lineout and rolling maul on fire. They scored three tries from their rolling maul and nailed their first 11 lineouts, a far cry from past weeks.
More importantly, it allows Seru Uru to do what he does best, firing in his role back in the back row as he went real close to being best on ground, a whisker behind skipper Fraser McReight.
Fijian Drua coach Glen Jackson will have nightmares about their decision-making in the 47th minute, which arguably cost them the game.
The Drua had all the momentum after back-to-back tries and forced another penalty against the Reds, 40 metres out. For an inexplicable reason, they decided to go for a tough kick at goal instead of keeping the pressure on.
What happened from here changed the game as Kemu Valetini’s kick faded left, allowing Carter Gordon to bomb the ball 90 metres and force the turnover on the Drua’s 22.
Back-to-back tries to the Reds and all the momentum was gone. The Drua were unstoppable to start the half but one decision was all it took to undo their good work.
Filipo Daugunu’s emergence as a powerful inside centre has come at a timely moment for the Reds.
Daugunu filled in there last week and was called straight back into the fold after Hunter Paisami re-aggravated a knee injury and instantly looked at home.
He scored with his first touch and set up Josh Flook shortly afterwards as the Reds' attack suddenly clicked into life.
The former Rebel is familiar with centre life after a stint at outside, but looks set to fill the role at inside centre for the Reds heading into the finals as Paisami limped around with his knee in a brace.
Manasa Mataele showed he’s still got it after becoming a one-man wrecking ball.
Each try of his hat-trick had something different, whether it was an intercept, a chip and chase or a lovely burst from a cross field kick.
For all the lightning pace the Drua has, Mataele is a reminder that Rugby IQ trumps all.
He’s a crucial mentor for the next generation coming through and it’s easy to forget he’s only 29.
