Jim Tucker: whatâ€™s up with the Reds?

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ARE the Reds losing their nerve or was Quade Cooper's decision to shoot for a tying field goal on full-time the right call over striving for a winning try?

That moment was a much-debated point at Suncorp Stadium last Saturday night amid the groans of a 32-29 misfire against the Western Force.

If Quade Cooper had slotted the field goal the Reds would only have lifted their haul for the night from one point to two for a draw.

Another night the gamble would have been to keep rolling through the phases to somehow conjure a try and earn four points for a win.

I'm convinced the Reds are gun shy about referees right now and their experience with Kiwi ref Garratt Williamson dictated that final play.

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The Reds had already passed the ball nine times after the siren before going to Cooper's boot.

The feeling that Williamson's erratic night with the whistle at the breakdown might continue meant a guaranteed shot at a draw was better than no chance.

"We didn't have momentum. If the ref deems the ball is not coming out (of a ruck) the game's over, so that moment is a hard one," Reds coach Richard Graham said.

This Super Rugby competition is the tightest on record with only Durban's Sharks and New Zealand's Chiefs looking a step ahead.

That's why how you deal with refs, close out tight games and perform when a star is injured are so pivotal to the shape of the table.

Quade Cooper is wrapped up good and tight by the Force defense at Ballymore. Source: News Corp Australia

The NSW Waratahs were minus ace Israel Folau when grabbing a worthy 22-11 victory over the Stormers in Cape Town.

It was the first win in the republic by an Aussie side this season and showed that Kurtley Beale is getting the starch back in his game.

He boomed over two long-range penalty goals and filled Folau's boots admirably at fullback.

The Australian Conference is still a lottery but the Reds have to beat the Brumbies on Friday night at Suncorp Stadium to keep holding a ticket.

Forget the refs. It's much harder to do than say but the Reds have to find a way.

The Force now lie in wait in Perth for the jetlagged Waratahs on Saturday night. These Aussie derbies have never been better.