Reds best performance, says Miller

The Queensland Reds have put on what coach Jeff Miller describes as their best performance of the year, despite going down 26-22 to the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.

The Reds turned around from their disappointing effort against the Brumbies last week to put their most coordinated performance in both defence and attack to rattle the 'Canes as they sought to secure a semi final berth.

The performance of the forwards was such that it motivated the home team's coach Colin Cooper to tell Miller that his own pack had been dominated and that the Reds had been the superior team at the breakdowns.

An outstanding effort in defence saw the Reds keep the Hurricanes to two tries, while they posted three of their own and collected a bonus point for their trip across the Tasman.

"It was an outstanding effort from the boys," Miller said after the match.

"They had nothing to play for but pride and I think they exemplified that tonight. I'm very proud of them."

The Reds took the lead early with a penalty goal to Berrick Barnes after five minutes but the Hurricanes levelled the score through a David Holwell penalty.

David Croft, who had another outstanding game, put his body on the line diving to knock a ball out of play while being chased down by Jerry Collins to save a certain try.

But soon after in the 23rd minute the Hurricanes found a hole up the middle and Jason Eaton sprinted off to score under the posts.

Holwell converted to take the score to 10-3.

The Reds then mounted a sustained attack on the Hurricanes line, building phases and keeping their composure but it only resulted in being held up over the line.

With six minutes remaining before the break, Barnes pulled off an intercept try from the halfway line to keep the Reds in the game, but unfortunately could not convert his own try.

Another penalty goal to Holwell took the halftime score to 13-8.

The Reds came out with plenty of intensity in the second half and took the lead 15-13 when Croft scored a rare try with an outstretched arm and Barnes converted.

The 'Canes were clearly rattled when they chose to take a shot a goal 12 minutes into the second half rather than opt to go for a try.

Holwell landed the shot and then a try to Tana Umaga gave them a 23-15 lead with 23 minutes remaining.

The Reds came home the stronger of the two teams with a penalty goal to Barnes and then a well-constructed push-over try to skipper John Roe getting them within one point of the Hurricanes with fourteen minutes left.

It was a nervous countdown to fulltime for the home team's fans as the Reds had the ascendancy and were always dangerous.

But a penalty after the whistle gave the Hurricanes a final penalty goal and took the final score to 26-22.

Debutant Andrew Brown was very impressive going up against the All Black centre pairing of Umaga and Ma'a Nonu.

Miller also said the forward pack as a whole were outstanding on the night.

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