It was a heartbreaking buzzer beater for the Reds on Saturday night as the Crusaders stormed home with 14 men to snatch another unlikely victory and keep their unbeaten record intact.
Certainly the first half was all Red as Samu Kerevi in particular was running amok in midfield, the central figure for the Reds go forward, scoring one try himself through sheer power then running onto a nice ball from Stephen Moore, putting Nabuli away in the corner.
The Reds ran out to a 20 to 7 halftime lead and the Crusaders looked to have all sorts of issues after losing Israel Dagg and Seta Taminivula to injury early on in the first period.
However, the Crusaders would regroup, and slowly ground their way back into the match in the second half, the Reds certainly not helping themselves with the cohesion found in the first half deserting them and errors allowing the Crusaders to grab the initiative.
In what seemed a pivotal moment at the time, Jordan Taufua was binned with just over 10 remaining and the Crusaders looked done.
This proved to galvanise the side as they pushed forward, scoring a converted try to Bryn Hall and awarded a last-minute penalty for a Reds indiscretion while trying to wind down the clock with ball in hand and their young first five, Mitch Hunt, stepped up to nail the penalty and breaks Reds hearts.
Final score
Reds 20
Crusaders 22
Geoff
Guest
There is no law against deliberately knocking the ball down - only against knock ons. I don't recall the incident but was it a knock on?
lassitude
Guest
Wouldn't mind seeing him get a run at 6 when Read is back.
taylorman
Roar Guru
He he, cant win then... either way there's going to be a rather large drenching in bitterness? Just a matter of whether it will be tinged in blue or red?
riddler
Guest
I wouldn’t take any notice of many of the opinions being expressed on here. We all know when foley is in a team, the comments will be drenched in bitterness. see what i did there mr zero ;)
Ruckin Oaf
Guest
Well if the idea is that the pads impede the attacking player then how is impeding a kick / chase any better ?
taylorman
Roar Guru
I hope he does improve, in fact he already is. Despite the loss this was a good sign for the Reds, there was some good rugby and if Quade can get his outside backs on the ball more often they can make some quick gains. They've got some good pace and skills out wide and that alone can make the difference at this level. He's not using a lot of his wide flat passing yet and he's the best around when he hits those. Kerevi outside him is starting to thrive as well. All up, good signs. I'd just expect his own development to really pick up quickly from here now he's settled in.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Good advice.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
Yeah, I don't get what is happening to Frisby but he can't seem to get it right this year. A new halves partnership might be partly to blame, but that doesn't explain the poor passes. Perhaps he is love.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
He is rusty but has taken that backline from a gaggle of no hopers to a force worth watching in just three games. You'd better hope he doesn't continue to improve.
Rhys Bosley
Guest
I am sorry but comparing a 10 in an inexperienced backline to a winger running with last year's champions is just a stupid comparison. If they swapped teams I doubt Skudder would have any more success with the Reds than Quade has.
Cliff (Bishkek)
Guest
The Reds exhibited the four things that are missing in Australian Rugby and with every Super Rugby Team; professional players unable to tackle, unable to pass correctly, unable to catch, no Rugby brains, and no leadership. Rugby is a simple game but without the BASICS, teams will lose. So a long year and a year of poor results for Aussie SR Teams and the Wallabies.
riddler
Guest
congrats to the saders.. good away twin o get with some big names missing..
riddler
Guest
frisby wasn't this bad last year in super rugby.. if he was then where were his detractors.. all the criticism seemed to be on jake or graham.. maybe just maybe frisby is struggling with the communication from cooper.. who knows? none of us are out there playing so everything here is just speculation with a dollop of bias usually.. one thing is for sure.. cheika didn't have that much faith in frisby as he would have got a lot more game time last for the wallabies as phipps struggled.. the lack of 9 and 10's is very disturbing at the moment in oz..
riddler
Guest
tman i am often in disagreement with you.. but you hit the nail on the head on this one..
riddler
Guest
kicking into space seemed to be a big criticism last year of a certain player.. from what i have seen this year all our 10's can't find space and definitely don't have big boots.. schoolboy first xv players are getting greater distance out the 22.. i find it a weird one when you are a pro player.. all the time in the world to practise those things.. especially kicking off your non-favoured foot.. lynagh, burke repeatedly did it, even slattery of the back of a ruck would use his left if need be.. one advantage being also that it makes those charge downs just that bit harder.. professional age has added a great deal to rugby but some things just seem to have gone backward for us here in oz.. kicking, out of hand and on the tee is one such area..
riddler
Guest
he has had a few years now stiles.. i can understand maybe a backs coach struggling to get him up to speed.. but an ex prop.. haven't seen him at club level.. but there is a heck of a difference between club and state.. flat track bully comes to mind..
riddler
Guest
so basically your saying a second playmaker??
aussikiwi
Guest
What underarm bowl?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Ha ha touché Zero, there's a sense of humour in there after all, I just knew it?
Zero Gain
Guest
Can anyone remember how bad the Reds were in 2015 and 2016? They would not have gotten within 20 of that Saders team. The new lineup needs more time to gel. I think 2018 will be their year. I wouldn't take any notice of many of the opinions being expressed on here. We all know when QC is in a team, the comments will be drenched in bitterness.