Fan favourite Tim Ryan has hit the ground running in 2025 with ‘The Junkyard Dog’ scoring a double in the Queensland Reds’ 38-31 win over Irish province Ulster, which completed a successful two-game road trip up north for the Super Rugby Pacific outfit.
Following their 82-61 win over English Premiership contenders Bristol Bears at Ashton Gate last week, coach Les Kiss made 10 changes to the Reds’ starting side to take on Ulster at Belfast’s Ravenhill Stadium on Friday evening.
Ryan’s two tries around the hour match had the Queenslanders in the box seat heading into the final quarter of the contest. Ulster had a few chances in the dying stages to potentially give themselves a chance of drawing the team’s level, but the Reds stood tall in defence.
Ulster turned three penalties into an attacking lineout, a scrum five metres out from the try line, and a quick tap, but were unable to turn those opportunities into points. In four-degree conditions, the Reds can take plenty of confidence out of another win on their UK Tour.
“We’re really excited to earn two wins over here, but we know it means nothing come our first game at Suncorp Stadium. We’re excited to see where we can go this year,” backrower Harry Wilson, who is the incumbent captain of the Wallabies, said in a statement.
“It’s very cool to wear the Queensland jersey on the world stage and it’s not something many teams get to do. All 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.”
Hooker Matt Faessler opened the scoring in the eighth minute, but Ulster hit back soon after through Ireland international Jacob Stockdale. Wilson was next to score, but Ulster once again had an answer to that effort with scrum-half Conor McKee scoring a minute later.
Reds captain Tate McDermott scored the final try of the first half with an effort in the 39th minute, with the Queenslanders taking a 19-14 lead into the break. But Ulster wouldn’t trail for long as James Hume scored 10 minutes into the second period.
Ryan followed that up with a quick double, and a 68th-minute try to winger Heremaia Murray left the Reds in a strong position. The match came down to the wire but the Reds held on for a confidence-building win to round out their pre-season trip to the north.
“It was good to come up against a quality team, big men who gave it to us all game,” Paisami explained. “Our game management was crucial to allow us to play our game, which has been a big focus for us in this pre-season.
“Knowing that we are coming up against another really physical team in Moana next, tonight was the ideal preparation for that challenge. They really tested our physicality, and we will learn plenty from this.”
The Reds will turn their focus to their Super Rugby Pacific season-opener against Moana Pasifika at Suncorp Stadium on Friday, February 21. With an odd number of teams in the competition, the Reds have a first round bye.
“We improved our crowds by 30 per cent last year and we need that support this year. The guys relish the fact that they play in front of a special home crowd and the more there for Moana, the better,” coach Kiss added.
“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. It will be nice to be home, for sure.”
Queensland Reds 38
Tries: Faessler (8), Wilson (24), McDermott (36), Ryan (59, 61), Murray (68)
Cons: McLaughlin-Phillips 2/3, Lynagh 2/3
Beat
Ulster 31
Tries: Stockdale (19), McKee (25), Hume (46), Lowry (51), Moore (71)
Cons: Morgan 2/4, Humpreys
