The QLD Reds have reclaimed the Bob Templeton Cup with an 41-7 win over the NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium in the opening round of Super Rugby AU.
Jake Gordon in his first match as captain, got the Waratahs off to a dream start, scoring in the corner in the 3rd minute of the match to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Ill discipline and handling errors from the Waratahs gave the Reds easy possession and territory, allowing the Reds to go a 24-point run in the space of seven minutes.
James O’Connor and Jordan Petaia combined down the short side to put Jock Campbell away in the 9th minute, while Alex Mafi would crash over from close range in the 14th minute.
Filipo Daugunu scored in the 16th minute, finishing off a break from Hunter Paisami and Fraser McReight.
Things went bad to worse for the Waratahs as Izaia Perese was red carded in the 36th minute for a lifting tackle on his opposite Hunter Paisami.
The Waratahs fought valiantly while down to 14 men for 20 minutes, but handling errors and discipline continued to let them down.
Filipo Daugunu grabbed his second try of the night off a set scrum move ten metres from the Waratahs line in the 70th minute, while replacement winger Ilasia Droasese scored the final try of the night in the 80th.
Despite the result seven players went on to make their NSW Waratahs debuts and Jack Maddocks played his 50th Super Rugby match.
NSW will travel to Canberra in Round 2 to take on the Brumbies at GIO Stadium on February 27.
QLD Reds 41 (Tries: Daugunu 2, Campbell, Mafi, Droasese, Conversions: O’Connor 5, Penalties: O’Connor) defeated NSW Waratahs 7 (Tries: Gordon, Conversions: Harrison) at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Tom Horton, Harry Johnson-Holmes, Sam Caird, Jack Whetton, Will Harris, Carlo Tizzano, Jack Dempsey, Jake Gordon (c), Will Harrison, James Ramm, Joey Walton, Izaia Perese, Alex Newsome, Jack Maddocks
Reserves: Dave Porecki, Te Tera Faulkner, Sio Tatola, Jeremy Williams, Hugh Sinclair, Jack Grant, Tane Edmed, Mark Nawaqanitawase
REDS: (1-15): Dane Zander, Alex Mafi, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Seru Uru, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott, James O'Connor (c), Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Jordan Petaia, Jock Campbell
Reserves: Richie Asiata, Harry Hoopert, Taniela Tupou, Ryan Smith, Tuania Tali Taualima, Moses Sorovi, Bryce Hegarty, Ilaisa Droasese
Referee: Damon Murphy
Assistant 1: Nic Berry
Assistant 2: Jordan Way
TMO: Brett Cronan
