Sure, it’s a trial. Sure, the Bears were missing some of their strongest players on national duty. But when you are going more than a point a minute against the side coming second in the Premiership Rugby, you’ve made a statement.
The Queensland Reds have walloped the Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate, winning 82-21 to send a stunning message – they look set to hit the ground running in Super Rugby Pacific.
The visitors hit the ground running inside the first seven minutes, with Richie Asiata the beneficiary of a rolling maul. Fraser McReight grabbed the second four minutes later the same way, with Filipo Daugunu and Tom Lynagh having strong performances off the boot.
After Daugunu got the Reds’ third, the Bears finally got on the board through Harry Bazalgette, however, any momentum was stifled seven minutes later with Tate McDermott scoring off a tap-and-go, extending the margin out to three converted tries.
Josh Flook got into the action in the closing stages of the first half, combining to put Fraser McReight away for his second – and while the Bears turned to their big men and got their second try through prop Jake Woolmore burrowing over, the Reds would have the last laugh, with Flook scoring on halftime off a scrum to see the Reds head to the sheds up 42-14.
Kalani Thomas, in his 50th match for Queensland came on to replacement McDermott in the second half, and scored a try inside the first three minutes, as the visitors continued the match in much the same vein as the first forty minutes.
Daugunu followed with his second three minutes later, and then as the replacements came on, the floodgates opened.
Jock Campbell picked up back-to-back tries inside of ten minutes, with Heremaia Murray then picking up his first try thanks to a long-range effort, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips also enjoyed a strong night, maintaining Lynagh’s strong radar.
Despite the Bears getting one last try in the 70th minute through their lock Will Ramply, Campbell would have the last laugh for the evening, scoring his third try and the final one for the evening in the 77th minute, pushing the Reds over a point a minute for the match.
It was a stunning performance from a near full-strength Reds outfit, with the depth of the squad on full display.
While it is still early days for the side, the men from the Sunshine State appear to have their attacking form down-pat and will look to expand upon it further when they take on Ulster in six days at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.
Even better, the Reds will leave Bristol without a single injury concern – meaning the side will likely be close to full strength when they return to Australia before the start of the Super Rugby season.
The Reds kick off their Super Rugby campaign against Moana Pasifika at home on February 21st after having a bye in the first round.
