The Reds comfortably dismantled a struggling Highlanders side at Suncorp Stadium today as they picked up a bonus point victory in an effort to keep chase alive at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table.
It was a comprehensive victory from the Queensland-based side who never really looked in danger of losing their lead throughout the whole contest. The Reds took an early lead through Hunter Paisami and from then on it was simply a process of keeping the ball until the Highlanders made yet another mistake.
Reds create a great line to give them a comfortable lead 🙌
↳ Super Rugby Pacific. Reds v Highlanders, live now. Every Match. Ad-free. Live & On Demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport.#StanSportAU #SuperRugbyPacific #REDvHIG pic.twitter.com/oXn6phlzqd
— Stan Sport Rugby (@StanSportRugby) April 19, 2024
The mistakes came both in attack and defence from the visitors, with every extended period of play eventually brought to an end through what was often an unforced knock-on. This calamitous style of play continued much through the match, with the struggling Dunedin-based side unable to break the deadlock over the course of the match.
Remaining scoreless for the first time in a match since 2019, the side appeared unambitious and without creativity, relying instead on the talents of Tanielu Tele’a to attempt to break the line – failing on multiple occasions.
For all of the Highlanders failings, it will have been a very pleasing evening for the home side, and in particular a certain young fly half with the surname, Lynagh. Brother of Harlequins winger Louis, and son of former Wallaby Michael, 20-year-old Tom Lynagh came into his own during this match, controlling a game that required a conductor and not a solo act.
Final result: Reds 31 – 0 Highlanders
Sign In