Wing Filipo Daugunu scored five tries to inspire the Reds to a 57-5 win over the Rebels in their pre-season warm-up in Gladstone on Friday.
Admittedly, the Rebels fielded an understrength side without the likes of Wallabies Reece Hodge, Matt Toomua, Marika Koroibete, Dane Haylett-Petty, Isi Naisarani and Angus Cottrell. That said, coach Dave Wessels would have expected a better challenge from his charges.
Fijian flyer Daugunu was destructive in the first half and completed his hat-trick in the 36th minute already before adding two more after the break.
The Reds led 35-0 at the break, with Bryce Hegarty successfully slotting all five his conversion attempts.
The second half saw a number of changes to the Reds lineup but it didn’t to halt their momentum, as Alex Mafi and Moses Sorovi along with Daugunu all burrowed over the tryline.
Flank Matt Gicquel scored a consolation try for the Rebels and Daugunu as then red carded for a dangerous tackle, but the damage had been done already with the Reds just too far ahead for it to make any difference to the result.
Reds – Tries: Filipo Daugunu (5), Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Bryce Hegarty, Alex Mafi, Moses Sorovi. Conversions: Hegarty (6).
Rebels – Try: Matt Gicquel.
Reds – Forwards: Dane Zander, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Alex Mafi, Sean Farrell, Efi Ma’afu, Taniela Tupou, Dave Feao, Josh Nasser, Angus Blyth, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Ryan Smith, Tuaina Taii Tualima, Angus Scott-Young, Liam Wright, Harry Wilson, Seru Uru.
Backs: Tate McDermott, Moses Sorovi, Isaac Lucas, James O’Connor, Hamish Stewart, Hunter Paisami, Chris Feauai-Sautia, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell, Ilaisa Droasese, Bryce Hegarty, Lawson Creighton.
Rebels – 15 Harry Jones, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Ben Woollett, 12 Ben Hughes, 11 Glen Vaihau, 10 Andrew Deegan, 9 Theo Strang, 8 Pat Morrey, 7 Mahe Vailanu, 6 Matt Gicquel, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Esei Ha’angano (c), 3 Fereti Sa’aga, 2 Declan Moore, 1 Cameron Orr.
Subs: 16 Mees Erasmus, 17 Matt Gibbon, 18 Cabous Eloff, 19 Matt Wilshire, 20 Gideon Koegelenberg, 21 Isaac Kailea, 22 James So’oialo, 23 Reece Fuller, 24 Jamie Glynn, 25 Will Lewesi, 26 Mosese Tuipulotu, 27 Siaosi Asofolau.
Photo: @Reds_Rugby/Twitter
