Head coach Dan McKellar says the Reds are “as good as anyone” in Super Rugby after the Waratahs lost their unbeaten record in emphatic fashion.

The dominant Reds outclassed their Australian rivals 35-15 in Brisbane on Saturday, a third win lifting them to third place overall.

A first defeat in four matches for the Waratahs drops them to fifth, one point behind a Reds side, who McKellar admits are an imposing force when they are on top and their Wallabies scrumhalf Tate McDermott is able to dictate play.

“I think when they get their game going, they’re as good as anyone,” McKellar told reporters.

“They’re playing on the front foot and Tate gets out and they get their offload game going. Then their support in behind is excellent.

“We did well in patches but patches don’t beat quality teams.”

McKellar was critical of his own team’s focus, saying they began impressively, mirroring the intent of their opening wins over Highlanders, Fijian Drua and Force.

However, a yellow card shown to fullback Andrew Kellaway began a lacklustre period which included a 20-metre Reds lineout drive, resulting in a try to hooker Richie Asiata to put the home side 21-8 ahead at half time.

“We didn’t capitalise on some early dominance and then the yellow card came and we sort of fell off the cliff,” McKellar said.

“That maul try was borderline embarrassing for all involved. It’s hard to stop a rolling maul if you just stand there and watch it.”

Reds coach Les Kiss said a shoulder injury to Fraser McReight that forced the Wallabies flanker off the field did not appear to be serious.

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The Chiefs lead the Super Rugby standings with five rounds played after a 32-31 win over the Blues, handing the defending champions their fourth loss from five matches.

The Crusaders are second after a 55-33 thrashing of the Force in Christchurch where eight of the hosts’ nine tries were scored by their two wings.

Macca Springer’s five tries equalled the competition’s single-game record set by former Chiefs winger Sean Wainui in 2021.

All Blacks wing Sevu Reece scored a hat-trick to lift his Super Rugby tally to 64 tries, one behind the all-time record held by former Hurricanes scrumhalf TJ Perenara.

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