RECAP: The Queensland Reds have responded to their opening round defeat with a 31-14 victory over the Highlanders at Suncorp Stadium.
The Reds showed their class with a host of Wallabies back, striking twice before the break on their way to a bonus point win.
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Captain Fraser McReight was inspirational as one of several Wallabies who impressed in Brisbane.
The hosts started with a classy try finished off by the skipper, with winger Tim Ryan soon following him over.
The Highlanders kept the contest close but back-to-back tries put the game well out of reach.
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Reds 31-14: Highlanders co-captain Sean Withy dives for the line for a consolation try.
However, the TMO stops the ball has come free and the try is disallowed, likely down to the change of conditions as it pours down with rain.
Fraser McReight reels away from a tackle with a shoulder stinger and somehow doesn't go off for a HIA.
Reds 31-14: Vaiuta Latu rumbles down the field and looks to be held up
The play is kept alive by some sharp hands from Kalani Thomas, with a sea of Highlanders defenders rallying to keep him from the turf.
The Reds again search for a sixth try of the match, unable to recover a grubber.
Reds 31-14: Te Kamaka Howden looks to have crashed over the line.
The back-rower powers his way over and Joe Brial somehow gets under the ball, with no replay reversing the on-field call of no try.
Filipo Daugunu then wins the breakdown turnover and the Reds will clear their line.
Reds 31-14: The Highlanders need points and need points badly as they enter the Reds' 22 once again.
Reds hold them off for now but the visitors will go again after winning the penalty.
Reds 31-14: The Reds suddenly have a commanding lead as the Highlanders gift a try to Vaiuta Latu.
It's a nothing grubber from Filipo Daugunu but the visitors spill it and the number eight picks it up and scores with his first touch on the field.
Reds 24-14: Wonderful work from the Reds flips the momentum and the hosts are over through Lukhan Salakaia-Loto!
It starts with Josh Flook as the centre puts the kick in behind after a loose ball, forcing the turnover through Louis Werchon's pressure as he forces the visitors to put a foot in touch.
The Reds go quick with the lineout and while Tim Ryan is stopped, the lock barrels his way over the next phase.
Reds 19-14: Lucas Casey powers through some soft defence for a crucial try.
The number eight splits the two tacklers and drives his way to the line.
Reds 19-7: The Highlanders have the Reds under serious pressure after forcing the error.
Tavatavanawai shows the skill to put the kick in that Tim Ryan can't control on the 22.
The Reds held them out initially, but it was under penalty advantage and the visitors opt for a scrum five metres out.
Reds 19-7: Jock Campbell saves the Reds after Timoci Tavatavanawai bulldozes through several Reds defenders.
The Highlanders try to spread it to Adam Lennox, with Campbell running him down and putting him into touch.
Reds 19-7: Fraser McReight and Josh Nasser nearly sneak a try right on the siren.
The two go back and forth after a quick lineout, with Nasser just bundled into touch,
Reds 19-7: Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has come up with a bell-ringer to dislodge the ball.
The lock flies up and smacks the Highlanders attack to force the knock-on on halfway.
Reds 17-7: Tim Ryan finally has the try he deserves after a strong half.
Great hand from the backline puts Joe Brial into space, finding McReight and then Ryan for the winger to sprint clear.
Reds 12-7: Adam Lennox flies away as the Highlanders are on the board.
Jack Taylor exposes the space around the breakdown, finding his scrumhalf for the try.
Reds 12-0: Matt Faessler comes up with the trumps to cross for their second try.
The Reds start rolling from the five metre line, and just as it starts heading sideways, Faessler peels off into the gap to cross untouched.
Reds 7-0: A bullet of a grubber from Carter Gordon earns a lineout on the 22 for the Reds.
Off the back of this, they win a penalty and kick further towards the Highlanders' line.
Reds 7-0: The Highlanders are looking to strike as Caleb Tangitau carries inside the 22.
But as soon as this is typed, they drop the ball again in a promising position.
Reds 7-0: What a way to open the scoring as Fraser McReight dives over for the opener.
Harry Wilson plays a bit of tunnel ball to Josh Flook, who puts enough of a kick in for Tim Ryan, putting his own kick in back field for his skipper.
Jack Taylor comes up with the rare 50-22 and the visitors are back on the attack briefly before another knock-on.
It comes with Ethan de Groot dealing with injury, eager to keep playing.
The Highlanders have the Reds under serious pressure at scrum-time.
They finally get rewarded with the penalty, allowing them to start their attack 30 metres out.
It ends in a trademark Fraser McReight turnover, securing the ball and the penalty.
New recruit Carter Gordon is slowly finding his feet as the Highlanders keep the pressure.
He's had a couple of solid touches but drops the ball on halfway trying to pick up from the base of the ruck.
Josh Flook gets put in a hole by Hunter Paisami on his 22 and suddenly the Reds are on the attack.
He finds Harry Wilson, who kicks ahead as the Highlanders scramble and recover on their own 22 to clear their line.
The Reds try to launch again with the short ball but they drop it.
Tim Ryan looks to have scoreed the opener after grubbering ahead a loose ball and racing 60 metres for the try.
However, there's a big reason for the loose ball: it comes off Hunter Paisami's hand in the tackle and this try is coming back
The Reds have survived an early onslaught as the Highlanders go on the charge following an early penalty.
Will Stodart is held up over the line by Harry Wilson for the goal-line dropout.
The Reds receive the kick-off and this game is underway.
Fraser McReight leads the Reds out for the first time at home as the crowd continues to build at Suncorp.
Tries: McReight, Faessler, Ryan, Salakaia-Loto, Latu
Cons: Werchon 2/4, Campbell 1/1
Pens:
Tries: Lennox, Casey
Cons: Millar 2/2
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Queensland Reds-Highlanders clash at Suncorp Stadium.
There is rain about in Brisbane but for now, it has avoided the stadium (a rare scene for the Reds).
The Reds go into this match unchanged, with Carter Gordon set for his Queensland debut.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Zane Nonggorr, Josh Canham, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Louis Werchon, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Lachie Anderson, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Josh Nasser, George Blake, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu
HIGHLANDERS (1-15): Ethan de Groot, Jack Taylor, Rohan Wingham, Will Stodart, Mitch Dunshea, Te Kamaka Howden, Sean Withy (co-c), Lucas Casey, Adam Lennox, Cameron Millar, Jona Nareki, Timoci Tavatavanawai (co-c), Jonah Lowe, Caleb Tangitau, Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens
Replacements: Soane Vikena, Daniel Lienert-Brown, Sosefo Kautai, Oliver Haig, Veveni Lasaqa, Folau Fakatava, Reesjan Pasitoa, Tanielu Tele'a
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Michael Winter
TMO: Aaron Paterson
The Reds' clash with the Highlanders will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
