Thorn era ends as Queensland downed in thriller

Brad Thorn's tenure astatine the helm of the Reds is implicit aft Queensland fell to a gripping 29-20 nonaccomplishment to the Chiefs successful the Super Rugby Pacific quarter-finals connected Saturday.

Wearing achromatic armbands successful honour of legendary sports writer Wayne Smith, the eighth-ranked Reds produced a courageous show against the rubric favourites.

The Reds were starring until Damian McKenzie's 70th infinitesimal punishment nudged them successful beforehand and past No.8 Pita Gus Sowakula powered implicit for a decisive effort successful the 76th.

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Vunivalu opens Reds account

Dual codification large Thorn announced successful April that helium would not question to widen his declaration arsenic Reds manager adjacent season.

Two Queensland Rugby World Cup hopefuls besides sustained injuries successful Hamilton.

Former Wallabies winger Filipo Daugunu fractured his limb and was disconnected to infirmary portion wrong centre James O'Connor was besides wounded late.

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Reds winger Suliasi Vunivalu boosted his Wallabies enactment chances with 2 tries portion different contender, No.8 Harry Wilson, besides dotted down.

Queensland - the lone squad to person beaten the Chiefs this play - scored 3 tries to 2 but 5 Damian McKenzie penalties proved crucial.

"There were a mates of calls that were questionable if I'm honest," Reds skipper Tate McDermott said, earlier paying tribute to Thorn.

"What he's done to crook astir this nine has been phenomenal. I anticipation we enactment a grin connected his face. We volition beryllium gutted with that due to the fact that we enactment ourselves successful a presumption to win."

CHIEFS 29 (Emoni Narawa, Pita Gus Sowakula tries; Damian McKenzie 5 pen, 2 con REDS 20 (Suliasi Vunivalu 2, Harry Wilson tries; Tom Lynagh pen, con) HT: 16-10

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