The struggling Queensland Reds eased some pressure on coach Brad Thorn with a crucial 40-28 win over Moana Pasifika on a historic afternoon in Apia.
It was Auckland-based Moana’s first game in Samoa and there were some ominous signs for the Reds as the emotionally-charged hosts initially traded blows with them in a frenetic first half.
But captain Tate McDermott and the recalled James O’Connor, playing at inside centre, helped regain some control for the now 3-5 Reds, who hadn’t won a game since March 19.
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Another recalled star, Suliasi Vunivalu, also gave a timely reminder of his talents before joining Eddie Jones’ first Wallabies camp on the Gold Coast on Sunday.
Vunivalu’s selection ahead of breakout Brumbies flier Corey Toole had rightfully been questioned after a lacklustre start to the season but Jones remains intrigued with the upside of the former NRL try-scoring machine.
The one-Test winger seemed to relish the hot and steamy conditions, and the attacking style of play, providing the assist for Fraser McReight’s try before nabbing one himself.
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With a Moana overlap looming, the 27-year-old gambled in defence by making a play at D’Angelo Leuila’s pass and his instincts paid off on a weaving intercept run.
“Oh, brilliantly done by Vunivalu,” commentator Tony Johnson said on Stan Sport’s coverage.
“Tapped the ball away, turning them into knots. (Lincoln) McClutchie can’t stop them and Vunivalu is in.”
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Rising hooker Matt Faessler scored a double for the Reds, while No.8 Harry Wilson and fly half Lawson Creighton also crossed the chalk in front of a boisterous crowd.
Queensland’s triumph should be kept in context given second-year club Moana are winless in 2023.
But this was a banana skin game and victory lifted them to sixth on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder, firmly in the finals mix with a bye awaiting next week.
“I don’t really care about the performance at this stage,” McDermott said.
“The results, we’ve had a tough couple of weeks, so really proud of that effort.
“Obviously, not ideal, last probably 15-20 minutes, but at the end of the day, we’ll take that. We need it for confidence going into the bye week and get our season back. So it’s a baby step in the right direction.”
Moana are hoping to bring more home games to Samoa and Tonga and McDermott relished the unique occasion.
“It was an amazing atmosphere out here. It was similar to Queensland in the middle of summer. Very sweaty, very hot. The ball’s like a bar of soap out there.
“But awesome to be over here.”
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