Wales concluded their Australia tour and challenging 2023-24 season with a victory in an uncapped match against the Reds after suffering a 2-0 Test series defeat to the Wallabies. The Wales team had to deal with a late withdrawal from captain Cory Hill due to personal reasons, leading to Gareth Davies taking over the role of skipper. Only a handful of players from the starting lineup in the second Test against Australia retained their spots for this match against the Reds.
This win against the Reds marked Wales’ first victory since their uncapped game against Barbarians back in November 2023. Warren Gatland’s team had faced a tough time leading up to this match, having lost their previous nine Tests. On the other hand, the Reds finished fifth in the 2024 Super Rugby Pacific table with eight wins and six defeats.
During the game, players like Archie Griffin, debutant Regan Grace, Rio Dyer, Christ Tshiunza, and Nick Tompkins made significant contributions to Wales by scoring tries. The match was intense, with hooker Richie Asiata scoring a hat-trick for the Reds, followed by Mac Grealy crossing the try line twice. However, it was Kieran Hardy’s late try in the 79th minute that ultimately secured the victory for Wales in a nail-biting finish.
Queensland Reds captain Jock Campbell expressed his disappointment at losing the game in the final moments, highlighting that it reflected the story of their season. Despite the loss, Campbell appreciated the opportunity to play in an exciting match and praised the crowd for their support.
Wales captain Gareth Davies acknowledged the tough challenge posed by the Reds and commended their opponents for putting up a strong fight. He emphasized the importance of hard work and maintaining discipline throughout the game, ultimately leading to their victory. Davies also expressed gratitude to the supporters for standing by the team during challenging times.
After the match, Wales replacement hooker Dewi Lake reflected on the team’s struggles to secure wins and expressed his joy at finally achieving victory. Lake credited the Reds for their outstanding performance and highlighted Wales’ resilience in staying focused until the last minute of the game.
Overall, the match between Queensland Reds and Wales provided a thrilling conclusion to Wales’ season, breaking their losing streak and ending on a high note. The intense gameplay and late drama showcased the determination and skill of both teams, leaving fans and observers on the edge of their seats until the final whistle.