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.
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Final score
Reds 20
Crusaders 22
This Saturday night game sees the Crusaders travelling to Brisbane to play the Reds. Join The Roar from 7:45pm (AEDT) for all the live action as we cover this Round 3 match from Australia.
Both of these sides bring contrasting form to the table this evening, the Reds stuttering to a loss away in Perth last round while the Crusaders came from behind to defeat the Highlanders in a pulsating encounter under the roof in Dunedin.
With hot and humid conditions expected to play their part in this match, decision-making and accuracy of execution will be paramount for both sides this evening.
Both packs provide plenty of experience and certainly the Reds will want a better performance up front and in the set piece, a disappointing area from their last match.
A similar repeat performance will be disastrous against this formidable Crusaders forward pack.
Despite what is likely to be difficult decisions, I would expect both sides to use the substantial attacking arsenal they both possess and of particular interest to Reds fans will be seeing their former charge, Digby Ioane play his first Super Rugby match for the Crusaders.
There are several match ups to keep an eye on this evening. The Reds’ up-and-coming lock Izack Rodda earns a start and how he fares against one of the best in the business in Sam Whitelock will be keenly observed.
Two excitement machines in Seta Taminivula and Eto Nabuli line up against each other on the wings while the influence that each sides fullbacks, Karmichael Hunt and Israel Dagg could very well play a large part in determining the outcome.
One area the Reds will look to target will be the Crusaders’ halves of the relatively inexperienced pair of Mitchell Drummond and Mitch Hunt, playing away in foreign conditions and certainly while the loose forward trio contains such names as George Smith and Scott Higgenbotham, the ability is there to take full advantage.
The Reds’ own halves will need to make their mark on this game up against a more inexperienced pair and Nick Frisby and Quade Cooper will certainly need to produce a quality and cohesive performance tonight if the Reds want to put the Crusaders away.
Prediction
I simply cannot look past the relative form of each side leading up to this match and there is too much work for the Reds to do within a week.
Crusaders by 12.
Join us here live on The Roar as we cover all the action and I would be keen to hear your thoughts on the match as it unfolds.
Dopplerman
Guest
Well The reds lost that, it was shame Taufua didn't connect because they really deserved a punch in the face they were deplorable. The secret is now exposed The reds essentially teamed a bunch of 40 minute players at best ,way past their prime and everyone saw it except for those dieting on the old aussie positive propaganda BS. Further highlighted by the fact the crusaders were actually quite cr@p.
grapeseed
Guest
I'm not saying definitely.
Bakkies
Guest
To be fair he has only played about 5 or 6 games since he left Toulon last June
Bakkies
Guest
'perhaps just that there’s a very high probability that they’ll win SR this year,' You are kidding right
grapeseed
Guest
Reds combinations are starting to gel, improved body language and great performance. Improving by increments. As they say, light is always brighter than what it was a moment earlier. And it's always brightest just before the dusk. I wouldn't say the Reds are as certain as the Earth rotating, perhaps just that there's a very high probability that they'll win SR this year, if key players stay fit.
Wallaby fan
Guest
Watch your mouth!! Quade had a great season in 2011 and reliable sources tell me he is about to come good (every season since)
ethan
Guest
Is that you Richard Graham? Matt O'Connor? We shouldn't have lost that one, but at least we are playing better than previous years. Good recruitment is only part of it. Won't say I'm sold on Stiles yet, but nor has he lost my faith yet either.
Cynical Play
Roar Rookie
Well..the Reds played 40 mins of good football. There is something seriously wring with the Reds mentality when they can't convert 17-0 to a win, especially when 3 Crusaders AB players limp off with injuries. There was no belief after half time. Frisby did not take the line on once, his box kick is the weakest of options for exiting the 22. What happened at half time?? DId they smoke a few bongs? Cooper was better with his long passing game and goal kicked well , but really he has no other game. He WILL NEVER take on the line, and seems perpetually rusty, testing his game. When will his game arrive?? This is Cooper. I ain't saying he cant do the odd brilliant thing, but give me Barrett or Cruden or Lambie and then you see Cooper as an occasional influence who goes missing. Kerevei again is solid. George Smith defied the predictions and was solid for most of the game. Higgers had his usual good game with brain snap. No 12 was excellent and the find of the year. This game was lost by the Reds and will haunt them. They remain in-cohesive, the parts of the sum.
ethan
Guest
Frisby has been over rated for a very long time and it's nice to have another option challenging his place now. Tuttle has a better pass, and as I consider passing the most important aspect of a number 9's role, would love to see him get a start.
ethan
Guest
Exactly, it was a typical Cooper game with lots of good play and a few mistakes to boot, but he's a great improvement on McIntyre. Think the knee injury actually helped his goal kicking and general play by underplaying his hand. Must be a mental thing.
ethan
Guest
I agree. Good sneaky play from the scrum half under current laws, but laws I would like to see changed.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Another huge comeback after the same last week. Good signs for both teams but these injuries are getting out of hand, so many going down in three matches so far in the round.
lewismarsh
Roar Rookie
I totally agree, the size of those pads is just like having a player shepperd the ball carrier.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
but a great game to watch though mate...
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Hmmm the Reds outplayed the Crusaders in the first half ... comprehensively and lead 20-7 after 40. The second 40, the Crusaders outplayed and outscored the Reds 15 points to nil with a man down for a quarter of the half, no sure your assertion... ".. the objective absolute quality of play was better by the Reds." It was obvious that it was a game of two halves and in such cases, it is hard to argue that the losing team played better than the winner.
Adsa
Guest
Well that sux, well played to Crusaders they never stopped. Reds tried to shut it out too early.
Ruckin' Oaf
Guest
Yeah if that was a try Coopers banana kick in the first half that hit the base of the uprights should have been as well. Unless you want a defender to set up in an offside position
Rugby Tragic
Guest
When Jordan Taufua was YC, and the Saders trailing by 13 I thought it was certain that the Reds were going to win.
In Brief
Guest
Hunt was a like a second breakaway tonight, hit a lot of breakdowns
In Brief
Guest
yeah, let's cut the reds