Queensland Reds

Alex Mafi was outstanding as the starting hooker for the Reds. He has the physical build to set up throw-ins and driving maul.

That first good example was not long after half-time. When Mafi controlled the maul by staying square & forward. He can notice the Rebels struggling to hold on.

Despite their desperate defense needed to hold the Reds out. But Mafi is focusing on the support needed to find some space. Thanks to the push from his team-mates. And pulled the trigger at the right time. When Mafi able to find the execution that marked the Reds first touchdown.

Then again in the 77th minute when the Reds earned another reprieve. As the Rebels began to falter. In return Mafi got the same routine right. Knowing where the Rebels struggle. Before the opposition just too slow to catch him. With Mafi using his attacking prowess of power & pace. And secured another touchdown that eventually became a winning moment.

It goes to show that Brad Thorn trusts Mafi in the starting XV. Where he disposed Brandon Paenga-Amosa. He has the defensive attributes to help out & build blocks. And the same goes in the attack with the physical package to hurt the defenders. As long he knows where the opposition unable to reach him. Mafi hopes he can help go one better in 2021.

Suliasi Vunivalu

Glad to see him return to rugby union after all with the Reds. Where he came off a great 2020 in rugby league for the Melbourne Storm. He may not been starting for most of the time tonight.

But as soon as he got off the bench in the 64th minute. Vunivalu added a different dimension in the backs. Mainly on the right flank alongside Filipo Daugunu via the opposite dial. While Jordan Petaia moved to inside centre. After a great run before Vunivalu came on. Just not enough support to support his execution early.

With Vunivalu you see him reliving Petaia to his favoured position. While he runs and runs around. Especially when he almost scored a touchdown off the boot of Joe Powell. The ball may have gone into touch one meter past the TRY line. But it still gave the Reds more chances in return.

Where the attacking awareness injected on the field. Despite the 14 men created by the Feao Fotuaika dangerous tackle earlier on. And the ill-discipline. The Reds were relieved to have his support. With the end goal all about winning. And they were able to just meet that requirement.

If Vunivalu did not come on then the Reds may not have won without him. He deserves to start next game. Not next week since his team has the bye. But he already shown lots of finishing prowess in league. There is lots of touchdowns recorded last year. Might be a different code this time. But he can transfer this attribute. So his presence is exactly what Brad Thorn needs in this squad. And go one better in 2021 for the championship.

Reece Hodge

He would be one of the best players on the opposite end tonight. Even though he is in a losing side. After starting the lead for most of the time & holding it. But just unable to maintain it until the very end.

Reece has the ability to run up to the defenders. Where he can provide the headstart needed for the Rebels. Thanks to the Reds ill-discipline. Credit is due to give himself a chance from the forwards unit. Goes to show these foundations.

It gives credit for the Rebels knowing where the Reds struggled. And why the home side unable to stay ahead for the majority. With Hodge using the pace & physicality not just the usual attack. In a bid to try and fend the opposition team.

He can hold back and stuff the Reds attacking half. When they lack support to continue with the ball. Hodge able to find and hold them short. Good reading there when the Reds felt isolated at times. And you have a tall stature in Reece holding them back. Reece can also kick into goal as well even from long range. Another reason there to face such a tough player.

The discipline mistakes late from the Rebels cost this game. Where there was not much opportunity to support Reece crack up the defense. Instead it is just desperately holding off with a lot of defensive input. And so little in the attack to distance themselves even further from the Reds. That is the one area the Rebels need to focus on next game. May be the answer to see more of Hodge being an all round player in the attack. Where he can finish off both the speed and boot. Marry it up and you see it as the game changer.

Reds made the early mistake as soon as the game started. Where Taniela Tupou unable to release the tackle. As the Melbourne Rebels took the three points.

When Matt Toomua found enough distance inside the goalposts. Hunter Paisami got a good read to ground Toomua for the Reds turnover. But lost another three points when the Reds struggled to get going. As Toomua makes up this mistake for the penalty goal.

Halfway into the first 40 and the Reds take their first points in account. They are able to stop the Rebels maul from their own half. As well as a crack to make up lost time upfront. Although it may not be a touchdown at the first attempt. But a dangerous tackle from Cabous Eloff gave them a reprieve. With an easy penalty goal executed from James O’Connor.

Despite some progress the Reds continue to struggle in the discipline. With the three points pulled away against them. As Matt Toomua successfully sorted out the penalty goal. So the Rebels extend their lead to six points after 25 minutes of play.

Reds still unable to sort out a way to get through the gate. Having been rebuffed by the Rebels defense. There is little support in hand to help their cause. In which despite able to intercept the Rebels line out. The communication is still disjointed. Where Lachie Anderson made them release the ball. Before Matt Toomua extended another three points. As the kicking to goal still remains accurate.

The only way Reds can do is via penalty goals. Where James O’Connor began to eat the Rebels lead by six points. With just a minute spare in the first 40. No tries made from each side so far. But it is Melbourne Rebels 12-6 Reds at the break.

Reds continued to see both units disconnected. Especially when Tate McDermott went offside at maul. Despite a successful throw in beforehand. With Matt Toomua extended the Rebels lead by 16-5. Thanks to a successful penalty goal.

There is improved progressed at last from the Reds. They took advantage of the Rebels who began to decline. After a great first 40 from the away team. Before the line-out was good. Where Alex Mafi kept the maul square until the end. When the starting hooker sorted out the touchdown.

The scoreline saw the Reds close on by two points behind Rebels. But fallen back by five after the Reece Hodge penalty goal. The discipline was not extra careful from the Reds. Having continued to leak points from the Rebels successful penalty goals. Before it gets worse when Feao Fotuaika slammed hard on Richard Hardwick. And the referee red carded Fotuaika on the spot with 20 mins left.

Despite the 14 men Queensland able to close the lead by 2 points. Thanks to the Rebels offside. As James O’Connor got the penalty kick straight this time. But the discipline still not turned around. When Matt Toomua pushed their hopes down to five points. Eventually the Reds able to lead for the first time tonight. 23-21 with two mins left to go. After a very long patient run to crack the Rebels defense.

Hunter Paisami made a dangerous tackle on Frank Lomani. And his ill-discipline antics almost cost the game for the Queensland Reds. But Matt Toomua unable to get the final penalty kick into the goalposts. Instead it went very left shy away from the sticks. As the Reds left it almost late to haunt the Melbourne Rebels. The Full-Time score is 23-21.