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Quade Cooper of the Queensland Reds of Australia charges through of the Auckland Blues of New Zealand during their Super Rugby Semi Final match in Brisbane, Australia, Saturday, June 2, 2012.The Queensland Reds defeated The Auckland Blues 30-13. (AP Photo/Patrick Hamilton).
It’s a Reds-Crusaders Super Rugby final at Suncorp next Saturday night, with all credit to rival coaches Ewen McKenzie and Todd Blackadder.
The Reds accounted for the Blues 30-13 at Suncorp, even though Quade Cooper left his kicking boots at home – the Crusaders buried the Stormers 29-10 at Cape Town, despite the locals enjoying 70 per cent possession for most of the journey.
But it’s McKenzie who has made the greater impact of the two coaches by dramatically changing the Reds culture. He has made monkeys out the NSW Waratahs and Stade Francais decision-makers, both sacked the former Wallaby prop, despite his successes.
Queensland said “thank you very much”, and in the space of two seasons McKenzie has turned the easy-beat Reds with just 15 wins and a draw against 47 losses in the last five years, into a minor premiership unit, losing only three games in the toughest provincial tournament in world rugby.
And in the process the Reds provided the magnet to regain thousands of lost supporters, another 44,000-plus last night, lifting the profile of rugby in Australia by:
* Topping the table for the first time since 1999.
* A first finals appearance since 2001.
* Beating the Brumbies in Canberra, and the Force in Perth, for the first time.
* Beating the Waratahs for the first time since 2004.
* Enjoying an unbeaten tour of South Africa for the first time since 2004.
* And a seven-match winning streak for the first time since 1995.
An impressive set of milestones, honed out of virtually nothing when McKenzie arrived on the scene.
McKenzie pinned his faith in the dynamic duo of pivots Will Genia, and Quade Cooper – a quicksilver start to entertaining, and winning, rugby.
He punted on a certainty.
The Genia-Cooper combination is right up with the best of the last 50 years – Ken Catchpole-Phil Hawthorne, Nick Farr-Jones-Mark Ella, Farr-Jones-Michael Lynagh, George Gregan and Steve Larkham up until 2003, when Gregan outstayed his welcome to 2007.
Factor into the equation the devastating Brisbane, and Queensland floods, and the Reds have generated so many positives in the lives of those who have been badly affected.
Todd Blackadder has achieved the same through the Crusaders for the team’s home town of Christchurch, suffering with even greater devastation of on-going earthquakes, and after shocks.
But the Crusaders are in the decider without playing one game at home, chalking up nearly 100,000kms to get the job done, a phenomenal performance of endurance, and dedication.
Without taking anything away from Blackadder’s outstanding contribution, he never had to tinker with the Crusader culture, it was already honed by Robbie Deans before he took over the Wallaby job three years ago.
All Blackadder had to do was make sure the performance bar didn’t slip – it hasn’t.
So while Queensland’s success revolves around Will Genia and Quade Cooper, the Crusaders’ fortunes rest squarely with skipper Richie McCaw, and champion goal-kicker Dan Carter.
All four were in sensational form last night in their respective victories, with Cooper the standout.
He had a blinder, setting up two of Rod Davies’ three tries, a record one-game haul for the Reds.
But next week Cooper must bring his kicking boots as well, missing four from seven like last night could leave the Reds in trouble.
One thing for sure, the two best teams have made it to the final.
Bring it on and pray Jonathan Kaplan isn’t the referee. Both teams deserve better.