Chambers scores twice in QAS Reds 2nd XV win over Barbarians
QR Reds centre Will Chambers made a giant leap in his transition to rugby union tonight at Ballymore, scoring two tries in the QAS Reds 2nd XV 59-7 win over the Australian Barbarians.
Chambers showed plenty of positive signs in just his second game of rugby since joining Queensland from NRL Premiers Melbourne Storm in the offseason, proving a constant threat in attack while improving on his positional play in defence.
His first try came following a turnover from Reds team-mate Lei Tomiki, who dished the ball out wide for Chambers to finish the movement by carrying his opposite defender across the line.
Early in the second half the 100kg outside centre crossed again, this time from a scrum move with Chambers running a perfect line to break through the defence untouched.
“Chambers played well and that was good because part of the reason he played in this game was to get a full 80 minutes under his belt,” Reds 2nd XV coach Paul Carozza said.
“He’s a good footballer and he will just get better every week.”
While strong with the ball in hand, he received valuable support from his inside men with flyhalf Tim Walsh and inside centre Ben Tapuai, who also scored two tries, dominant all night.
Tapuai finished off a break down the left flank by Chambers and fullback Aidan Toua to open the scoring in the match, while captain and hooker Saia Faingaa grabbed a try in the first half from a rolling maul.
In the forwards the Shaw brothers, Andrew and Liam, played their normal aggressive game, Jake Schatz continued his strong preseason form, and Tomiki was a dominant force at the breakdown. Academy prospect Liam Gill also showed promise in his first game of senior rugby, scoring a try off the bench late in the match.
The Barbarians showed plenty of spirit in the opening half with the score 19-7 at halftime, but the fluency of a Reds 2nd XV team featuring players from both the QR Reds and QAS Reds Academy proved too strong.
“At halftime we thought we could be doing better, so I was really pleased with how they responded in the second half,” Carozza said.
“Our enthusiasm was better but the Barbarians really gave it to us and put up a strong challenge. Our fitness probably played a factor in the second half, but we did play some good footy at times.
“We’ve got another four games now and we’ve got plenty to improve on as well.”
With fitness playing a role, Chambers, Tapuai, Schatz, Gill, Cameron Bracewell and Dallan Murphy all grabbed second half tries.
Brothers centre James Harvey scored the Barbarians only try when he capitalised on a break by Brethren team-mate Nathanuel Gendle to score under the posts.
QAS Reds 2nd XV 59 (Will Chambers 2, Ben Tapuai 2, Saia Faingaa, Cameron Bracewell, Jake Schatz, Liam Gill, Dallan Murphy tries, Tim Walsh 4, Jono Lance 3 cons) def Australian Barbarians 7 (James Harvey try, Michael Zovko con)
