Australia’s Super Rugby flag bearers have been embarrassed by their New Zealand opposites, the Crusaders further exposing the gulf between the nations in a 63-28 thumping of the Queensland Reds.
The flogging completed another perfect round for New Zealand opponents over Australian outfits, the head-to-head now 10-0 in a deflating fortnight since the highs of the Reds’ dramatic domestic title win over the Brumbies.
Where the Reds fumbled and were shunted back in tackles, the Crusaders were razor-sharp, clear-minded and possessed a top gear that proved far too much for the Reds in Brisbane.
Form No.10 Richie Mo’unga did as he pleased for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium, scoring three tries to help the Crusaders post their highest total against the Reds and ensure the 2011 Super Rugby final loss to them remains their most recent.
Brad Thorn’s side started promisingly, with Taniela Tupou spilling the ball over the line in the second minute.
But 12 minutes later it was 21-0, David Havili coming from nowhere to intercept and set up Cullen Grace after Mo’unga and Sevu Reece had already crossed.
Mo’unga ran in his second before Tate McDermott scampered over to briefly stop the rot, with Reds backrower Harry Wilson describing their efforts as “embarrassing” as he walked to the sheds at halftime.
The hosts looked to steady in the second half but Reece exploited a bizarre rule to steal back possession, jumping from well outside the field of play to mark a penalty kick that looked to be sailing into touch and land back in-field.
He then ran onto a pin-point Havili cross-field kick, the lead swelling to 49-7 with two more tries before the 60th minute.
“These guys were the champs of their comp, so it was quite personal, champ verse champ,” Mo’unga told Stan Sport post-game.
“There was hype previous to the game, but we were just ready to get stuck in.
“We knew there would be plenty of opportunities … it was about picking them apart through the middle and playing eyes-up footy.
“We’ve got to be happy with that, against these guys and the threats they pose.”
Wilson did his best to inspire the Reds, dummying as he raced down the wing to score then two minutes later charging down a kick and flicking a pass over his shoulder for Suliasi Vunivalu to cross for the third time in two games.
At 49-21 the Crusaders resumed normal service with two more tries, although the Reds added another consolation try and Vunivalu twice came close to a another double in a confident performance that would give Wallabies coach Dave Rennie at least something to ponder.
After conceding their highest total at the ground since 2007, Reds co-captain Liam Wright admitted that, after a heavy loss to the Highlanders last week, the Reds had plenty to improve on ahead of a trip to Townsville to face the Chiefs next Saturday.
“I’m proud of our guys for not giving up but we didn’t execute well,” he said.
“Going into halftime we didn’t feel like we did too many things wrong, but everything we did wrong was punished.”
P2R2
Roar Rookie
I am not so SURE that the Brumbies SHOULD have COULD have won that match...based on what? The Chiefs were as likely to WIN also....they were just too good for the Brumbies...
Double Agent
Guest
A few years ago I was fortunate enough to be at the Kings School at North Parramatta one afternoon to watch the Crusaders training. To watch them play shadow football against an imaginary opponent was mesmerising. The volume and urgency and incessant communication between the players was startling and something we don't receive on TV. The other thing that surprised me is they didn't have a ball. Just pretended to have a ball.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Well at least the Tahs won't feel as bad and lonely in losing anymore :silly:
Double Agent
Guest
Paulo I'm sure your wife must have been fascinated by your detailed explanations. I imagine even grateful. It wouldn't surprise me to learn that she then asked you to describe to her, again, (in detail), all of the rolling stock in your model train collection!
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Some refs will look at the wider context for a slap down. Slapping the ball down when the opposition have an overlap or potential overlap will be treated more harshly than one where there isn’t a try scoring opportunity on the cards.
Bruce Peters
Roar Rookie
That's a hard fact isn't it. Great player like George Bridge isn't first choice
Loosey
Roar Rookie
Please stop using 'Americanisms' to describe sport in Australia. It's bad enough we have to listen about 'clutch' plays. We have our own spectacular vernacular that should be preserved. Back to the footy - a crushing Crusaders win. Men and boys. ABs would love to see JOC at 10 for the Wallabies, I'm sure.
moaman
Roar Guru
“ veni vidi vici!” :silly: Interesting fact; Did you know it was pronounced 'Weeny, Weedy, Weechy' ? Sounds like something straight out of The Life of Brian.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Moa, go boy – back to the Latin! Moa surveying his landscape of corrected grammar declares “ veni vidi vici!”
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Their always doing that, Moa.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I concur Moa. You could be Chairman of the Grammar Referee Association. I am embarrassed about how much poor spelling and grammar annoys me. But it does. Almost as much as a ref with a blind spot. Which is almost as bad as a coach with a blind spot. And here we are in a nation of vision-impaired coaches.
Pete McAloney
Roar Pro
Careful, you’ll be blasted for ref bashing! But yes, I totally agree with you. Yes, the Crusaders were the better team. But the ref definitely seemed to be ignoring the constant offsides in the first 20 when the game got away from us. Also, the luck of the bounce (can’t blame anyone for that!) was definitely with the visitors. It felt that the whole reffing crew were only focusing on the Reds, especially in the opening stanza. I wonder if that’s got something to do with the excellent article in the Roar which explains that the Kiwi refs were asked to be ultra strict? And he got it into his head to show those Aussies what that’s like?
K.F.T.D.
Roar Rookie
They use technology in swimming( the world record black line), tennis, cricket- you do wonder if it will become available for this situation.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
A Force player a few weeks back was rightly yc'd for cynically slapping the ball forward. Last night it was just a penalty. He just doesn't didn't know the rules. For all rugby it was sad to see these mistakes, towards BOTH teams. I'm rusted on but damn the refs are making it too hard too often.
Warwick Todd
Guest
:crying: :laughing:
Warwick Todd
Guest
day-ta.....but I am from Qld country.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
The young prop, Williams, who came off the bench exemplified what the Crusaders are all about. Straight into the thick of it and playing like he belonged at this level.
TC
Roar Rookie
Jacko Foketi might Disagree with that
moaman
Roar Guru
How do you pronounce 'data'?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Damn you man, I followed your instructions and ruined my soldiers... damn you... damn you all to heck.