Waratahs see Red in Gosford

The NSW Waratahs are all but out of the running for the inaugural Australian Provincial Championship title after slumping to their second successive defeat, going down 39-17 to the Queensland Reds in Gosford.

The Waratahs were out-muscled, out-enthused and generally outplayed by a Reds line up seemingly more determined for victory.

For the Waratahs, the only high points of the afternoon were the successful comeback from injury of Sam Norton-Knight – who impressed after half time following a switch from fullback to flyhalf – and the attacking form of replacement centre and recent recruit Sam Harris.

Otherwise the afternoon belonged to Queensland, who were simply more enthusiastic at the breakdown, lineout and in attack.

The Waratahs opened the scoring through a Peter Hewat penalty in the second minute, however it would prove the last of the highlights for the home side in an utterly forgettable first half.

Queensland ran in five unanswered tries, three of which were scored down Hewat’s right wing, with Reds number 11 Caleb Brown scoring two of those in the space of five minutes.

Other first half five pointers for the Reds went to lock James Horwill, winger Henari Veratau, and fullback John Dart.

Queensland then opened the scoring in the second half, Brown bagging himself a hat-trick five minutes after the break for a 39-3 scoreline.

The Waratahs hit back with a try of their own – scored by replacement hooker Adam Freier – to stay at least in the hunt at 39-10.

However, the next addition to the score wouldn’t come until six minutes from time, Harris putting Daniel Halangahu over for a converted try to take the scores along to the final tally of 39-17.

Queensland coach Eddie Jones was delighted that his side had lifted after last week's loss to the Force.

"We played dreadfully against the Force, we played better today, a good change in attitude, better structure," Jones said.

"Our guys really learnt from last week, we just weren't professional enough in our preparation last week, we were this week.

Waratahs coach Ewen McKenzie was disturbed by the lack of attitude from his side.

"I was pretty disappointed, particularly in the first half, I just really thought it as a pretty average performance," McKenzie said.

"A lot of that was attitude and we pride ourselves in that area. Full marks to Queensland, they did a really good job."

The Waratahs face the Western Force next week in Bathurst, needing to win well while hoping the Reds lose to the Brumbies if they’re to be any hope of making the APC final.