Tune hits the right note in Reds return - Sports News - Fanatics - the world's biggest events

Tune hits the right note in Reds return

By Jim Morton 29/01/2005 10:29:26 PM Comments (0)

A re-born Ben Tune showed his battle-scarred legs still had plenty to offer with a rousing try-scoring return in Queensland's 43-5 Super 12 rugby trial win over the ACT Brumbies.

In his first rugby union match in 21 months, the former Wallabies winger immediately impressed in his new role at outside centre in the Reds' seven-try rout at Ballymore.

In a mistake-free 40 minute effort, Tune displayed power and pace as he got his hands on the ball close to a dozen times.

The most telling was in the 24th minute when he juggled a fingertip pass by Steve Kefu that went behind him before brushing off a lone defender to cross for the Reds' second try.

Although wearing No.13, he finished the five-pointer just as many of the 24 he scored in a glittering 46-Test career - out wide with no one outside him.

Overall, the 28-year-old's first audition for outside centre - in a three-way challenge with Junior Pelesasa and Drew Mitchell - was impressive.

Tune, who has endured three knee operations since April 2003, crashed up the ball without error when necessary and also showed some toe and street smarts in open space.

But the powerful Pelesasa, who played on the wing in the first half before taking over from Tune at No.13 after the break, also enhanced his selection chances with two second-half tries in a tackle-shedding display.

He also had an important hand in a 58th-minute try to Mitchell, playing fullback, in the left corner.

The second-string Brumbies - missing nine Wallabies - struggled to gain and maintain possession, with their inside backs Matt Henjak, Sam Norton-Knight and Gene Fairbanks failing to click.

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