Queensland Reds v Wales LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as Warren Gatland’s side snatch dramatic win
Queensland Reds 35-36 Wales: Kieran Hardy’s last-minute try secured a much-needed win for the tourists
Wales at last secured their first win of 2024 with a dramatic one-point victory over the Queensland Reds at Suncorp Stadium.
Warren Gatland’s side lost twice to Australia earlier this month to extend their Test losing streak to nine matches, leaving confidence low in the Welsh camp. Kieran Hardy’s last-minute try ensured that the tour finished on a winning note, the replacement scrum half sniping over to snatch it at the death after a mixed performance from the visiting side.
Wales had appeared to have taken control in Brisbane early in the second half, but the hosts fought back as veteran playmaker James O’Connor pulled the strings expertly. A hat-trick for hooker Richie Aasiata and a double for speedy wing Mac Grealy put the Queenslanders on the brink of a famous victory as they threatened to pile more misery on a year of Welsh rugby woe.
But after wings Rio Dyer and Regan Grace had impressed with tries earlier, Hardy popped up at the last for a much-changed Welsh side to give Gatland rare reason to smile and hope of a brighter autumn campaign as he sets about rebuilding his team.
Re-live all of the action from Brisbane below:
TRY! REDS 35-31 Wales (Mac Grealy, 71 minutes)
A sensational score and the Reds lead Wales!
Magnificent! What a try this is, the Reds going from coast to coast with serious style. Give a healthy portion of the credit to tighthead prop Jeff Toomaga-Allen, still trucking after 70 minutes and producing an audacious one-handed dummy to sell a Welsh defender down the Brisbane river.
He eventually releases the pass to free Mac Grealy, who dashes in. Remarkable!
Reds 28-31 Wales, 70 minutes
The Reds play from inside their own 22, James O’Connor fizzing a miss ball across and Lachie Anderson going haring away. Regan Grace shows a good turn of speed to get back to the replacement.
Through the middle! Seru Uru finds space close to the ruck and off they go!
Reds 28-31 Wales, 68 minutes
Warren Gatland looks a little glum up in the coaches’ box, his side ahead but having just squandered an opportunity to perhaps kill the game off. This unheralded, young Reds side are really feeling it now, sensing the chance to pull off a famous win.
Reds 28-31 Wales, 66 minutes
It will only be a penalty, Blake’s challenge clumsy rather than dangerous as Mackenzie Martin was thrown up in the air. Wales once more plough the corner, the backs piling in to the mass of bodies...
But the Reds hold strong! Staunch defence from the home side, John Bryant eventually getting through on to the ball and ensuring that Gareth Davies can’t extricate it.
Reds 28-31 Wales, 65 minutes
A dangerous tackle grants Wales another penalty advantage, new man Blake picked out. Rio Dyer injects some impetus roaming off his right wing.
The Welsh attack loses steam out on the right touchline. Back for the penalty.
Reds 28-31 Wales, 64 minutes
The Reds hold firm but only having infringed twice. Gareth Davies wonders if the second of them was cynical and thus merits a card, but Damon Murphy sends him away.
Costelow pokes it into the opposite corner as George Blake replaces hat-trick scorer Richie Asiata.
Reds 28-31 Wales, 62 minutes
Ah, a coach killer. The Reds claim the restart but only due to a needless obstructing shove on a Welsh chaser. A penalty to Wales, which Sam Costelow will thump into the corner.
It looked like Tim Ryan was the guilty party. Naive.
TRY! REDS 28-31 Wales (Mac Grealy, 61 minutes)
And over goes Mac Grealy!
The Reds have found their flow! There’s a suspicion of a forward pass from Tim Ryan to Grealy but the officials are content, the centre releasing a sharp infield offload having wriggled his right arm free in contact.
Can James O’Connor convert from right of centre? He can! The Reds are within three!
Reds 21-31 Wales, 60 minutes
The Reds reload from 20 yards further back, Seru Uru deivering some momentum with a crunching carry. Jeff Toomaga-Allen swats a pair of Welshmen away with a big bear paw.
Reds 21-31 Wales, 58 minutes
Neat midfield interplay from the Reds, James O’Connor picking his moment to send Jock Campbell into space. But that’s a vital intervention from Regan Grace, nipping in a couple of phases later to pick off O’Connor’s floated pass with Dre Pakeho left disappointed.
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