Reds beat Waratahs to move closer to semis

REDS 31 WARATAHS 24

Queensland Reds beat New South Wales Waratahs 31-24 in Brisbane today to move a step closer to booking their place in the Super 12 rugby semifinals.

The Reds outscored their Australian neighbours three tries to two to move into third position on the ladder with just one round to go but still needing to win their final match against the Highlanders to be guaranteed of a spot in the playoffs.

The Waratahs' defeat was only their second this year and while they are still virtually assured of finishing second to earn a home semifinal, the loss ended their hopes of overhauling New Zealand's Canterbury Crusaders in first place.

Queensland made a flying start, racing away to lead 8-0 after fullback Chris Latham sliced his way through the defence to score the opening try in the seventh minute.

Queensland's Elton Flatley and Waratahs captain Matthew Burke exchanged penalties before Harris scored the first of his two tries in the 31st minute, charging on to a nicely-timed short pass from flyhalf Duncan McRae.

Flatley and Burke traded penalties again before the break to give Queensland a 14-11 halftime lead in front of a crowd of more than 23,000 at Brisbane's Ballymore Stadium.

Burke levelled the scores with his third penalty shortly after the re-start but the Reds went back in front when No 8 John Roe, filling in for the injured Toutai Kefu, scored out wide.

Queensland, who have never lost to NSW in Super 12, looked to be coasting towards victory when Junior Pelesasa scored after breaking through an attempted tackle from halfback Chris Whitaker to open up a 28-17 lead.

But the Waratahs hit back with a second try from Harris in the 61st minute to close the gap to four points before a late Flatley penalty pushed the margin out to seven.

The Waratahs play the Crusaders in Christchurch next Saturday while the Reds take on the Highlanders in Dunedin the same day.

- REUTERS