Dominant UK tour 'means nothing' if Reds can't take season opener

Wallabies captain Harry Wilson has warned the Queensland Reds’ impressive United Kingdom tour form “means nothing” unless it transfers to their Super Rugby Pacific season opener.

The Reds defied Ulster in Belfast on Friday (Saturday AEST), defending their line despite conceding three late penalties in a 38-31 win at Ravenhill Stadium.

The six-tries-to-five comeback victory followed a one-sided flogging of an understrength Bristol a week earlier in what was the club’s first UK visit in 35 years.

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“We’re really excited to earn two wins over here, but we know it means nothing come our first game at Suncorp Stadium,” Wilson said.

“We’re excited to see where we can go this year.

“It’s very cool to wear the Queensland jersey on the world stage and it’s not something many teams get to do.

“All of the Wallabies boys who returned to pre-season were just so excited to get back in the Queensland group and rip in, and touring this time of the year has been awesome for our connection.

“We’ve been in each other’s pockets for two weeks and while we’re probably due for a bit of time back home away from each other, it’s been such a special tour for us.”

No.8 Wilson scored himself then set up captain Tate McDermott for a first-half try, before the hosts surged back to lead 24-19 with 30 minutes remaining.

Tim Ryan scored twice in three minutes before fellow winger Heremaia Murray gave the Reds a 14-point buffer with 10 minutes to play.

Stewart Moore’s try got Ulster back in touch though, the hosts then peppering the Reds’ line in the final exchanges but unable to crack it.

Wallabies centre Hunter Paisami was typically brutal against a physical Ulster pack while Ryan’s second try, beginning when he collected his own grubber kick, was a highlight.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips pulled the strings in the No.10 to keep the heat on fringe Wallabies flyhalf Tom Lynagh, who started in the Reds’ 82-21 defeat of a second-string Bristol a week ago.

Co-captain and backrower Liam Wright toured with the squad but didn’t play, the recent Wallabies captain eyeing a return from a shoulder injury in the side’s opening round on February 21 against Moana Pasifika.

Coach Les Kiss made his pitch to fans after a first season in charge that showed promise, but finished with a quarter-final loss to the Chiefs in Hamilton.

“They will see a team that will fight for every inch, and they will see a team that works hard and tries to play the most aggressive style of attacking rugby that we can,” he said.

“It will be nice to be home, for sure.”