Reds pip Waratahs in Super Rugby thriller

The Queensland Reds have burst the NSW Waratahs' bubble in a wet and wild Super Rugby Pacific derby in Sydney.

The Reds overcame all odds to pull off a thrilling and at-times comical 20-16 victory at Leichhardt Oval that must have infuriated Waratahs fans.

With no Taniela Tupou, no Tate McDermott for the entire second half and virtually no ball all game, the Reds still escaped with the four competition points after the Waratahs threw the match away.

Despite torrential rain, the ball handling was surprisingly good from both sides but the Waratahs' kicking game and decision making was atrocious.

Winless wooden spooners last year, the Waratahs surely would have upset the 2021 Super Rugby AU champions if only they'd held their nerve in the final 15 minutes after Ben Donaldson's drop goal put the hosts in front.

Alas, they couldn't.

Ryan Smith secured victory for the Reds with a controversial try 11 minutes from time, after replays appeared to show the replacement lock losing control of the ball before grounding it.

Queensland's win ended NSW's bright start under Darren Coleman -- after the Waratahs completed an unbeaten trial run then smashed Fijian Drua 40-10 in last week's competition opener.

The gritty victory came after the Reds lost Wallabies prop Tupou minutes before kick-off due to back spasms in the warm-up, then halfback and captain McDermott limped off in the shadows of halftime.

Apart from a second-minute penalty to James O'Connor, NSW enjoyed all the early running.

But despite dominating first-half possession to the tune of five to one, the Waratahs were unable to convert their pressure into points.

Two hooked penalty goal attempts from Donaldson and a contentious no-try ruling against powerhouse centre Izaia