Despite Tah’s fears, Keith remains optimistic about his chances in the finals.

The Queensland Reds thwarted the Waratahs’ 20-stage final charge to secure a 27-26 win in Darren Coleman’s final game for the Tahs.

As expected in a clash between old rivals, NSW were already assured of the wooden spoon and the Reds were set to play in the quarter-finals against the Chiefs next week.

The Reds led 19-0 at halftime but fell behind late in the game after three straight Tahs attempts. Reds flyhalf Tom Lynagh put the visitors one point ahead in the 75th minute with a 48-metre penalty kick before rookie Tahs flyhalf Jack Bowen struck with a shot that appeared to slip as he struck the ball.

“I knew I had it in me,” Lynagh said. “We should never have been in that position. We want to be the dominant team and win comfortably.”

Perhaps the Tahs were extra motivated with several players bowing out at the club, with the hapless Coleman suffering more narrow defeats than anyone else.

His opponent Les Kiss struggled in the later stages but was optimistic about New Zealand’s chances in next week’s knockout.

“You can tell them apart in several ways. But now we have the finals. This is another competition,” Kiss said. “We just have to focus on what we did well. Let us be thankful that they turned up their tails and came to us. But we defended well.

Queensland Reds manager Les Keith. (Photo by Albert Perez/Getty Images)

“We had to find a way to get it. Then Tommy got up and put the ball on it. Very good. Very good.”

Kiss will need to root out the mistakes that almost cost the Tahs a strange win.

“The Chiefs will probably have a longer purple patch than they (NSW),” Kiss said.

“So we have to be able to defend like we did tonight.

“But let’s not back down from our game. If we compete well and win good quality balls, you know there is a risk there. But we need to keep making money for as long as possible.

“If we get 50 or 60 minutes of that type of football (in the first half), we have a chance. “That’s all I can say.”

Bowen’s end was cruel. The 20-year-old son of the former Wallaby has impressed since his debut, firing a pressure kick from the sideline just before conceding a goal. He replaced Tane Edmed this week, who has had some heartbreaking moments off the tee this season.

The Tahs had the chance to go 78 meters after the siren and string together 20 steps before Queensland’s Fraser McReight ripped the ball away.

Jack Bowen of the Waratahs passes the ball during the Super Rugby Pacific match between the NSW Waratahs and Queensland Reds. (Photo: Pete Dovgan/Speed ​​​​Media/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Reds looked incisive, scoring three tries in the opening 20 minutes through Seru Uru, Tate McDermott and Josh Flook. These three players could wear the gold uniform together later this season.

The Tahs will be thankful they don’t have to review McDermott’s try next week. Absolute lack of defense or resolution pretty much sums up a miserable wooden spoon season.

They lost 19-0 and Lalakai Foketi dropped a frustrated F-bomb in an interview with Stan, capturing the emotions of Tahs fans who have stuck around until the end of the season.

Vision showed Coleman giving his final halftime speech as Tah’s coach and they summoned something for the coaches and fans right after the break.

“I needed swingmates, and they were a bit bland,” Coleman later said.

“I don’t know what it is. All you need is a patch. I don’t know if it’s confidence or what.

“I had to look around and try something out there. I went a little crazy. They care. “Sometimes you need a rocket.”

Jed Holloway walked over for the Tahs five minutes after the break but the Reds restored the margin four minutes later when Hunter Paisami scored.

It seemed like a long time ago for the Tahs, but Bowen took over.

He crossed for the first of three unanswered attempts and a sideline conversion on the third gave the Tahs a brief lead.

Lynagh missed a simple penalty attempt in the 67th minute and Langi Gleeson struck wide soon afterwards. This led to a turnover that paved the way for Dylan Pietsch to run back.

Bowen’s cool kick put the Tahs two points ahead, but Lynagh’s 48th-minute penalty put the Reds back in front in the 73rd minute.

Tahs threatened through nine levels inside the Reds 22 before Mark Nawaqanitawase dropped the ball under pressure.

They had two more chances to close out the season with the Bob Templeton Cup, but the Reds survived to play another day. They face the Chiefs in the quarterfinals next week.