Queensland Reds skipper Tate McDermott has ripped his team’s “embarrassing” defence and complacency after surrendering another lead to hand the Highlanders just their third win of the Super Rugby Pacific season.
The hosts led 12-0 but, for the third straight week against New Zealand opposition, couldn’t seal the deal in a 27-19 loss that’s all but buried their hopes of a top-four finish and home final.
The Highlanders copped two overlapping yellow cards in the early stages, giving the Reds a brief two-man numerical advantage they looked to have made the most of.
But the visitors hit back late in the first half – Thomas Umaga-Jensen slipping five tackles to score out of nowhere – and then had a lead nine minutes into the second half.
Coach Brad Thorn lamented their poor defensive mindset and “another wasted game”, admitting the ruthless visitors had shown them how to close out a contest.
But McDermott was far more scathing.
“The complacency … 12-0 up, we had worked so hard for our points … to have someone walk through our line, it’s embarrassing really,” he said.
‘We’re switching off in those moments, in those money minutes either side of halftime we’re opening the door.”
The Reds (7-4), who were crowned domestic champions last season, now boast just two wins from their last 25 games against New Zealand opponents.
Injuries have not helped their cause, with Harry Wilson knocked out and taken from the field on the medi-cab attempting to regather a brilliant Jordan Petaia grubber after a linebreak early in the second half.
Influential Wallabies trio James O’Connor, Taniela Tupou and Hunter Paisami were already on the sidelines, while an ill Harry Hooper was a game-day withdrawal.
They were sorely missed when the Reds needed to steady and build on a solid start, a bench including ring-ins Sef Fa’agase and Albert Anae unable to match the output of their rivals.
