Queensland Reds blitz the Crusaders in Brisbane

One of the games of the weekend in the Super 14 was undoubtedly the match that took place in Brisbane between the Reds and the Crusaders. The Reds upset the perennial favourites 41-20.

Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper had one of his better performances as he scored 31 points on the night, scoring two tries, kicking five penalties, and slotting three conversions.

Flyers Digby Ioane and Rod Davies also scored tries as the Reds picked up their first win over the New Zealand powerhouse since 1999.

"That was real tough. We just weren't there," said Crusaders captain Kieran Read. "We didn't put anything out on the track and it's very disappointing."

Andy Ellis, Brad Thorn, and Dan Carter scored points for the Crusaders, but a high error count and a determined Reds side meant the home side continued their great start to the campaign, despite narrowly going down to the Waratahs last week.

"We stuck at it for 80 minutes and that's a great result for the boys," said Reds captain James Horwill, who unfortunately picked up a season-ending knee injury.

He will undergo a knee reconstruction then face a hefty nine month rehabilitation, perhaps allowing him to make it for the Wallabies end of year tour.

Captaincy will be handed to 22 year old scrumhalf Will Genia, who’s performances have shown maturity beyond his years.

Coach Ewen Mckenzie, who was famously sacked from Stade Francais, said he doesn’t want to get too excited about the win at this stage.

"We're not living the dream. The reality is that we've won one match. We're around about where we'd like to be in terms of being competitive but I don't expect anyone to get too enthusiastic," said the Reds coach.

"It's going to get harder now. The more you get people talking about you, the more you get people looking at you, the more time people put in working out ways to beat you," he added.

They play the Blues in round three.


Time: 05:47

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