The Queensland Reds have overcome a huge scare to remain unbeaten in this year’s Super Rugby Pacific season with a 33-28 win over a brave Fijian Drua at Suncorp Stadium.
Former Gunnedah Red Devil, Harry Wilson was instrumental yet again on Saturday night, scoring the Reds’ second try of the game as the side scraped past the visiting team.
The tall No.8 played the full 80 minutes, scoring the Reds’ second try of the match on 22 minutes. Wilson barged through three separate Drua players as he recorded his second try of the campaign.
Wilson’s brilliance helped the Reds to a comfortable 28-9 lead as the side looked set for victory following Josh Nassar’s second try on 63 minutes.
A valliant Drua outfit fought its way back into contetion, tying the game at 28-28 and it was the Reds’ own Fijian, Seru Uru who scored the match-winning try.
While not being at their best towards the final stages of the second half, the Reds sit in second place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, one point behind the ACT Brumbies on 18.
The top-two sides will face each other at GIO Stadium in Canberra tomorrow night as each team aims to continue their unbeaten run to start the year.
For Gunnedah’s Wilson, it looks as if the Wallabies’ gamble to leave the star forward out of the European Spring Tour to focus on his development is paying off.
With two tries in four rounds, Wilson is showcasing his attacking ability, proving to be an asset for the Reds going forward, while playing every minute of the side’s matches this year.
The Wallabies are scheduled to face England in a three-test tour in July with matches in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne. A further two tests are scheduled away in Argentina in August.
If Wilson can continue to be a reliable figure for the Reds, Wallabies head coach, David Rennie will have no other choice than to welcome the 23-year-old back into the fold.
The Reds’ match with the Brumbies kicks off at 7:45pm.
