Late strive robs Reds of simply their second win in 27 years in Dunedin

A final-minute strive has robbed the Queensland Reds of simply their second win in 27 years in Dunedin and left the injury-hit facet in grave hazard of lacking the Tremendous Rugby Pacific finals.

The Highlanders stored their very own season alive with a 35-30 win at a pulsing Forsyth Barr Stadium on Friday, Folau Fakatava scoring in the proper nook with 30 seconds to play.

The Reds led 14-0 early then 27-14 early within the second half, Tom Lynagh kicking a clutch 45m penalty from out extensive to place the Reds forward by three with 4 minutes to play. However the Highlanders got here once more to go away the Reds shattered.

Victory would have sewn up a finals berth however the end result leaves the Reds clinging on to eighth and all however needing a win in Fiji in opposition to the Drua to stay there and play finals.

The Reds hadn’t received in Dunedin since 2013 (their solely win since 1996) however regarded on track early when Liam Wright powered over within the seventh minute.

However the co-captain damage his arm and noticed no additional half, with fellow chief Tate McDermott and back-rower Conner Vest additionally first-half casualties. A try-of-the-season contender adopted, Harry Wilson working off his personal line to bust by tacklers, dummy then go to James O’Connor.

O’Connor shunted off a deal with and by some means stayed infield, the ball going by 4 extra units of arms earlier than Jake Upfield scored.

The Highlanders bought it again to 14-14, Suliasi Vunivalu leaping by the road and waltzing over on the half-time siren to provide the Reds the lead.

Tom Lynagh’s (three-from-three penalties) boot stored the guests forward within the second half as their accidents took a toll on their vitality shares, even with Wilson’s fixed costs bending the Highlanders’ line.

Connor Backyard-Bachop’s strive put the hosts in entrance for the primary time, two potential knock-ons and a ahead go within the build-up not reviewed. One other scrum penalty win gave Lynagh a platform besides the Reds again in entrance and he obliged.

However a easy knock on by Hunter Paisami damage the guests, the fit-again centre fumbling a unfastened ball that had spilled out when the Highlanders had been urgent for a strive.

Fakatava, on for Aaron Smith within the Japan-bound half-back’s remaining dwelling sport, made probably the most of it to dart over and shatter the Reds’ hopes of a second straight win in New Zealand.