Reds upset Maori
June 4, 2002

Veteran Damian Smith has guided the Queensland Reds to an upset 28-25 win against the New Zealand Maori at Ballymore.

The 33-year-old winger scored two tries, set up another and pulled off a try-saving tackle all before half-time.

With seven players in the Wallaby squad and winger Ben Tune and inside-centre Steve Kefu on the injured list, the young Reds outfit struck early to hold a 22-13 lead at half-time.

The Maori struck back after the break to level the scores at 25-all, but despite a mountain of possession in the final stages could not breach the Queensland defence. But the Maori will be disappointed after squandering several chances through poor handling and some poor decision making.

With two minutes remaining in the enthralling contest, Reds five-eighth Andrew Scotney broke the deadlock when he slotted a penalty goal from in front of the posts to hand Queensland its first win over the Maori since 1935. The last time the teams met was in 1979 when they fought out an 18-all draw.

It was the second time this season Scotney had stepped up for some match-winning heroics after slotting over a late conversion against the Sharks during the Super 12.

The Maori tour continues with a match against the NSW Waratahs at Aussie Stadium on Saturday, a week before they take on the Wallabies in Perth.

Scoreboard

QUEENSLAND 28
Tries: Damian Smith 2 Richard Graham tries.
Conversions: Andrew Scotney 2 cons 3 pen.

NEW ZEALAND MAORI 25
Tries: Rhys Duggan, Kristian Ormsby, Reece Robinson.
Conversions: Glen Jackson 2 cons, 2 pen goals.

At Ballymore.
Crowd: 5227.
Referee: Peter Marshall.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.

ABOUT COOKIES

To help make this website better, to improve and personalize your experience and for advertising purposes, are you happy to accept cookies and other technologies.

More Info Here Cookie Choices