Rugby: Reds stun Chiefs in Hamilton

The Reds scored 13 unanswered points in the second half to shock the Chiefs 23-18 in Hamilton. Photo / Getty Images

The Chiefs sparked up then fizzled out in a shock 23-18 Super 14 loss to the Queensland Reds in Hamilton tonight.

After rattling off three thrilling tries in the opening quarter, the Chiefs spluttered and allowed their more dogged opponents to end an unbeaten start to the season and a run of six straight wins at Waikato Stadium.

The Reds - who have been ravaged by injury - only scored one try in each half but they stuck to the basics to pick up a second win while the hosts self-destructed with handling errors and weak tackling.

Importanly, Reds goalkicker Quade Cooper was a clear winner in the goalkicking battle with first five-eighth opposite Stephen Donald. Cooper slotted five from six while Donald -- whose radar had been excellent before tonight -- managed one from five.

The Chiefs had a chance to steal a late win but a botched lineout on the Reds tryline summed up their evening.

The result undid much of the good work the Chiefs achieved with three wins on the road last month, only giving their vaunted back three limited opportunities as the match wore on.

That wasn't the case in the opening exchanges, with wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga crossing in opposite corners inside the first nine minutes.

It appeared a rout could unfold when prop Sona Taumalolo barged over in the 20th minute to take the score to 15-0.

Winger Will Chambers responded for the hosts after some slick hands from Cooper but Donald landed his only kick of the night soon afterwards, a penalty for a lifting tackle by Brando Va'aulo on opposite Sivivatu which saw the Reds winger sent to the sinbin.

Being reduced to 14 men seemed to lift the Reds, with Cooper slotting two long-range penalties to have his team trailing 18-13 at the break.

The bumbling hosts were kept scoreless in the second half while the Reds surged clear via a third Cooper penalty and decisive try to 19-year-old fullback Luke Morahan, who chased a hacked kick 75m and beat Masaga in a race to the tryline. Former sevens international Morahan was a late callup for the injured Peter Hynes and his desperation mirrored that of his team.

Flankers Daniel Braid and Scott Higginbotham were at the helm of a hard-working Reds pack, who were more efficient at the breakdown and defended doggedly.

The Chiefs were slick at lineout time, with lock Romana Graham outstanding, and they offloaded superbly in the first half but that sort of play eventually translated into errors and they will need to be significantly better when they host the Crusaders on Friday next week.

The Reds return home next weekend to play the Western Force.

Queensland Reds 23 (Will Chambers, Luke Morahan tries; Quade Cooper 3 pen, 2 con) Chiefs 18 (Sitiveni Sivivatu, Lelia Masaga, Sona Taumalolo; Stephen Donald pen). Halftime: 13-18.

- NZPA