Results
Rebels 19 def Chiefs 5
Wild Knights 15 def Waratahs 5
Reds 17 drew with Blues 17
Bulls 14 def Force 10
Highlanders 14 def Brumbies 7
Crusaders 12 def Samoa 7
Wild Knights 17 def Rebels 12
Hurricanes 19 def Force 12
Chiefs 26 def Waratahs 14
Brumbies 10 def Toulon 0
Crusaders 28 def Reds 0
Samoa 27 def Blues 14
Highlanders 13 def Hurricanes 5
Brumbies 7 def Bulls 5
Force 7 def Toulon 5
12:00 – Game 01 – Rebels vs. Chiefs
The Rebels have opened day one of the competition with a strong 19-5 win over the Chiefs.
With the game tied at 5-all at half time, courtesy of tries to Liam Messam (Chiefs) and Tom English (Rebels), the Melbourne side proved too strong with two unanswered tries in the second half.
Wallaby Reece Hodge, who scored the game-clinching try for the Rebels right on full time, described the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens as “awesome” as he came off the field.
Rebels 19 (English, Uelese, Hodge tries; Meehan, Hodge conv)
Chiefs 5 (Messam try)
12:28 – Game 02 – Wild Knights vs. Waratahs
The Panasonic Wild Knights thrilled rugby fans with a spectacular 15-5 victory over the Waratahs.
The Japanese side played with the true spirit of tens rugby – throwing the ball around and putting in deft kicks to wow fans with all the razzle-dazzle expected in the shorter format of the game.
The score was tied 5-all at half time following tries to Ben Gunter (Wild Knights) and Matt Lucas (Waratahs). Panasonic flexed their muscle in the second half with a converted try to Kentaro Kodama and penalty goal to Berrick Barnes.
Already one of the most popular teams at the tournament thanks to their play, the Wild Knights stood shoulder-to-shoulder to thank the adoring crowd at the end of the game.
Panasonic Wild Knights’ Berrick Barnes said: “Huge win for us. We’ve got a pretty young squad over here, a lot of guys playing their first so, really proud.”
Wild Knights 15 (Gunter, Kodama tries; Barnes conv, pen)
Waratahs 5 (Lucas try)
12:56 – Game 03 – Reds vs. Blues
A missed conversion by the Blues saw them finish with a 17-17 draw against the Reds.
The Reds lost wildcard Chris Latham to a hamstring injury overnight, but tries either side of half time to Samu Kerevi and Karmichael Hunt looked to have given Queensland the impetus for victory.
A late try under the posts to Matt Duffie appeared to have snatched the win, but the Blues missed the simple conversion, giving the competition its first draw of the day.
Samu Kerevi returned to the field following the ankle injury sustained in October today. He said: “The ankle feels awesome. Had a little bit of niggle on my knee but it’s all good now. Just happy to get out there with the boys and have a dig.”
Reds 17 (Tuttle, Kerevi, Hunt tries; Tuttle conv)
Blues 17 (O’Donnell, Guyton, Duffie tries; 1 conv)
13:29 – Game 04 – Bulls vs. Western Force
The Bulls won a tight match against the Western Force, running out 14-10 victors.
The Force took a 10-7 lead in to half time courtesy of two early tries but were unable to extend their points scoring after the break.
The Bulls pushed ahead, with their second try coming through Ismaiel, and the kicking of Warrick Gellant proved the difference – he converted his own first half try and the five-pointer of Ismaiel.
Jacques Potgieter of the Blue Bulls said: “We’re here to have fun and throw the ball around and test our skills. It’s an awesome venue and we’re looking forward to playing in the Tens for years to come.”
Bulls 14 (Gellant, Ismaiel tries; Gellant 2 conv)
Force 10 (Haylett-Petty, Peni tries)
13:57 – Game 05 – Brumbies vs. Highlanders
A two-try first half was enough to give the Highlanders a 14-7 victory over the Brumbies.
James Lentjes and Rob Thompson scored early tries for the Kiwi side, and although they were unable to cross the paint again, the boys from Dunedin had enough starch in defence to hold on for victory.
The Brumbies threatened with a try to Nigel Ah Wong off a spectacular cross-field kick to start the second half but they were unable to find their way over the line again.
Highlanders coach Mark Hammett said: “It’s one of those carnival events where you’ve got to be focused on your role and what you’re doing and I thought the boys did that well.”
Highlanders 14 (Lentjes, Thompson tries; 2 conv)
Brumbies 7 (Ah Wong try; Thompson conv)
14:30 – Game 06 – Samoa vs. Crusaders
The Crusaders have flexed their muscles to record a win from their first pool game, defeating Samoa 12-7 in front of a rapidly growing crowd at Suncorp Stadium.
The Crusaders flew out of the blocks, heaping pressure on the Samoan side but they had to wait until late in the half to score their first points, Seta Tamanivalu crossing the line and running the ball around to the posts to give his side a 7-0 lead.
Jed Brown crossed for number two early in the second half, before Samoa finally cracked the defence for their own try.
Tamosi Alosio Logotulu threw a cheeky dummy before slicing through the Canterbury defence and ran 40 metres to score to breathe life into his side’s campaign.
But the Crusaders snuffed out any chance of a comeback by applying their typically strong defensive pressure to collect the win.
The Crusaders’ George Bridge said: “The interchanges are pretty handy but even two-minute blocks were enough, the lungs were fairly blowing but it was a good first hit out. Happy with the win.”
Crusaders 12 (Tamanivalu, Brown tries; 1 conv)
Samoa 7 (Logotulu try)
15:33 – Game 07 – Rebels vs. Wild Knights
The Panasonic Wild Knights have all but guaranteed their place in the finals with an entertaining 17-12 win over the Rebels.
The Melbourne side opened the scoring through Jonah Placid, but soon found themselves behind thanks to two Panasonic tries and a try-saving tackle from veteran Wild Knight, Daniel Heenan.
Brisbane product, Jack Cornelsen, finished off arguably the try of the day to put the Japanese side up 17-5 midway through the second half.
The Rebels responded with a glorious try of their own, to Ben Meehan, ensuring a nail-biting finish.
They had an opportunity to push for victory inside the final minute with a lineout inside Panasonic’s 22 metre zone, but they failed to win their own throw and the Wild Knights held on to finish day one undefeated.
Panasonic Wild Knight Daniel Heenan said: “To get a win against the Waratahs, I think we exceeded everyone’s expectations then to back it up with that win it just proved that the first one wasn’t a fluke and that a few of our boys can play footy.”
Wild Knights 17 (Holani, Fujita, Cornelsen tries; 2 conv)
Rebels 12 (Placid, Meehan tries; Debreczeni conv)
16:01 – Game 08 – Western Force vs. Hurricanes
The Hurricanes have erased a 12-nil half time deficit to record their first win of the tournament, with a 19-12 victory over the Western Force.
The Force shot out to an early lead with a try to Kane Koteka. That was followed by a sublime chip-and-chase try to rugby league convert Curtis Rona early in the second half.
But the Hurricanes weren’t overawed by the scoreboard, running in three second half tries to put the Aussie side to the sword.
All Black Cory Jane clinched the victory with an intercept in the final minute, latching on to a loose pass from the Force who were trying to work their way out of their own 22.
Jane said: “It’s one of those games where you’ve got to back yourself to the end because fitness plays its part. It’s a hot day so the ball’s a bit slippery and mistakes happen. It’s the ones who can hold on to the ball and I guess score the points when they’re on who are going to win the game and we managed to come through at the end there, luckily.”
Hurricanes 19 (Proctor, Apikotoa, Jane tries; Hauiti-Parapara, J Barrett convs)
Force 12 (Koteka, Rona tries; Lance conv)
16:33 – Game 09 – Chiefs vs. Waratahs
The Chiefs have virtually ended the Waratahs’ chances of making the finals, thumping the NSW side 26-14.
Two tries to the Chiefs in the first half gave them a 12-7 half time lead; their opening was the result of a barnstorming charge by Dwayne Sweeney.
That was followed up by a spectacular cross-field kick to Lachlan Boshier who dotted down in the corner.
The Waratahs kept the game alive with Hugh Roach driving over in between the two Chiefs’ five pointers, and took a two-point lead early in the second half courtesy of a marvellous individual effort by Harry Jones.
But the Chiefs went up a gear and scored two tries to keep their tournament alive. The Waratahs can still make the quarter finals but will need to win their remaining pool game against the Rebels tomorrow and hope that other results go their way.
Waratahs coach Matt Lucas said: “Every team here’s good. If you’re not on your game and not doing the basics right, you don’t stand a chance.”
Chiefs 26 (Sweeney, Boshier, Tauke’iaho, Messam tries; 3 convs)
Waratahs 14 (Roach, Sweeney tries; Hegarty 2 convs)
17:01 – Game 10 – Brumbies vs. Toulon
The Brumbies have recorded their first win of the weekend, keeping French super club Toulon scoreless with a 10-0 victory.
James O’Connor was a late withdrawal from the French side and it proved to be a big loss as Toulon looked directionless in attack.
The Brumbies had their own injury concerns with Wallaby legend Stephen Larkham ‘tweaking’ his calf in the warm up, but it didn’t seem to affect the Brumbies.
Former Wallaby Andrew Walker turned back the clock to show glimpses of his past talent.
Blake Enever crossed for an easy try when the Brumbies had a two-man overlap after a quick tap, and James Dargaville extended the lead in the second half off the back of a scrum.
Toulon’s Drew Mitchell said: “It’s a good atmosphere. It’s tough conditions which I’m sure everyone has alluded to but it’s good. Everyone has come with the right intent and I’m sure by the end of tomorrow everyone will be feeling it.”
Brumbies 10 (Enever, Dargaville tries)
Toulon 0
17:30 – Exhibition Match – QLD Women vs. NSW Women
After a scoreless first half, Queensland and New South Wales have played out a 10-all draw in front of a vocal crowd at the Brisbane Global Rugby Tens.
The traditional rivals threw themselves at each other with brutal defence in a scoreless first half – much to the delight of the enthusiastic crowd.
QLD took the ascendency after the break with tries to Liz Patu and Samantha Trehene; the latter an absolute gem that had the local fans on their feet.
But the class of the NSW side showed through as they responded with two of their own tries, the second right on full time.
A sideline conversion would have clinched victory for NSW but the kick just sailed left resulting in a fitting result for two spirited teams.
QLD 10 (Patu, Treherne tries)
NSW 10 (Vette, Maynard tries)
18:00 – Game 11 – Reds vs. Crusaders
The Crusaders have inflicted the heaviest defeat of the day, thumping the Reds 28-0.
Digby Ioane scored the opening try with his first touch in his first game back at Suncorp since departing the Reds in 2013.
The flying Crusader got the ball on the 40 metre line and beat four defenders on his way to the try line. Sean Wainui rounded out the first half for a 14-0 lead.
Seta Tamanivalu scored his second for the tournament to put the Crusaders up 21-0 before Poasa Waganibau inflicted more pain with a fourth and final try.
There was at least one moment for Reds fans to smile about when returning veteran Radike Samo shot out of the line to deliver a massive hit in defence, but it couldn’t erase the pain of the 28-point defeat.
Reds captain James Slipper praised Digby Ioane’s try: “Digby… He’s a class player. It’s actually really good to see him back in Super Rugby. He’s done that plenty of times at Suncorp Stadium, so it’s nothing new to him.”
Crusaders 28 (Ioane, Wainui, Tamanivalu, Waganibau tries; McKenzie 4 conv)
Reds 0
18:28 – Game 12 – Blues vs. Samoa
Samoa have stunned fans and the Blues with a remarkable come-from-behind win to beat Auckland 27-14.
After the Blues shot out to a 14-point lead which they took in to half time, it looked like a matter of ‘by how much’, not ‘if’ they would win.
But Samoa found incredible spirit and determination to wrestle back some momentum, scoring three tries in the second half in what is being described as the match of the tournament so far.
Tries to Tila Mealoi and Lucky Palamo drew the game level, before ill discipline cost the Blues further, allowing Samoa to push ahead with two penalty goals.
A last-second try to Danny Tusitala sealed victory for Samoa as they finished their day with a win and a loss.
Samoa 27 (Mealoi, Palamo, Tusitala tries; Leuila 2 conv, Fa’apale conv; Leuila pen, Fa’apale pen)
Blues 14 (Ranger, Curtis tries; Trainor 2 conv)
19:00 – Game 13 – Highlanders vs. Hurricanes
The Highlanders have ended day two undefeated after grinding out a 13-5 victory over the Hurricanes.
Two of the favourites in the competition, the teams struggled with getting the right number of players on the field as much as they battled each.
At one point it cost the Highlanders a try as they were called back for too many players on the field.
It didn’t affect the 2015 Super Rugby champions, however, as they took an 8-0 lead at half time courtesy of a Dillon Hunt try and Jason Emery penalty goal.
Matt Faddes extend the lead with a second half try. Nehe Milner-Skudder claimed a consolation try for the Hurricanes before full time.
Highlanders 13 (Hunt, fades tries; Emery pen)
Hurricanes 5 (Milner-Skudder try)
19:28 – Game 14 – Brumbies vs. Bulls
A late Robbie Abel try has stolen victory for the Brumbies over the Bulls.
In one of the slower matches of the day, both teams struggled to find points with the Bulls finally breaking the nil-all deadlock on the stroke of half time through Johnny Kotze.
It was almost at the same point of the second half that the Brumbies responded, as Abel pounced on a loose lineout throw by the Bulls to score from five metres out.
Isaac Thompson showed great nerve to slot the conversion and ice the win.
Brumbies 7 (Abel try; Thompson conv)
Bulls 5 (Kotze try)
19:56 – Game 15 – Western Force vs. Toulon
In the final game of the day, the Force held on for a 7-5 victory over Toulon.
Chance Peni scored early for the Force and improved the position to give Jono Lance a simple conversion from in front.
Josua Tuisova scored Toulon’s first points of the tournament with a thrilling individual effort. Charging down a Force kick on halfway, the Fijian flyer regathered and raced 50 metres, beating the cover defence of Matt Hodgson to score.
With Toulon unable to claim the extra two points, the Force finished with one win from their three pool games.
Force 7 (Peni try; Lance conv)
Toulon 5 (Tuisova try)