Eddie Jones will have to wait for some success against New Zealand opposition. The scoreboard ticked over to 9-1 in the Kiwis’ favour in 2023 as the injury-plagued Crusaders proved too strong for a clumsy Queensland Reds side in Brisbane.
The Crusaders, missing half-a-dozen Test stars including Sam Whitelock, won 25-12 but the scoreline didn’t quite tell the whole story with the Reds guilty of blowing a number of tries and attacking movements.
It wasn’t all doom and gloom for Jones, who will announce his first Wallabies squad on Sunday.
Jordan Petaia scored a second half try against the Crusaders but it wasn’t enough for the Reds in Brisbane. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Jordan Petaia delivered one of his best performances on either side of the ball while back-row trio Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Liam Wright were outstanding.
Wright particularly delivered an eye-catching performance that will not have gone unnoticed. The co-captain and blindside flanker made two steals at the lineout and was strong over the ball. Had Damon Murphy not deemed the ball unplayable, he would – and should – have been rewarded with another breakdown penalty win.
It wouldn’t surprise if Jones asked to see Wright’s height because it could be a useful trait later in the year. For the record, he’s 192cm.
Even Tate McDermott took a strong step forward, with the zippy halfback showing what he can do with space around the rucks and in the open after a frustrating start to the season where the majority of his tight-five forwards have been sidelined.
But for all the positives, Brad Thorn will be ruing what could have been.
From kicks not finding touch in the second minute to balls being tossed to the sideline in the final seconds, the home side burned several opportunities to put the Crusaders under pressure.
In contrast, Scott Robertson’s side managed to take their chances in the first-half to open up a 15-7 lead, before effectively sealing the match by scoring in the 53rd minute through former England halfback Willi Heinz.
The Reds attempted to throw some late punches and even scored through Petaia to give them a late sniff, but more clumsy handling saw the visitors extend their decade-long unbeaten streak in Brisbane.
“I kind of get here and say a similar thing every week but, again, we’re just not respecting the ball,” co-captain McDermott said.
“For parts of that I’m proud of our effort, particularly the bench guys like (prop) Phransis-Sula and (hooker) Richie (Asiata) making a big impact against a bloody good side.
“We can pick the positives out of it, but we’re stuck in a bit of a cycle at the moment.”
Liam Wright was one of the Reds’ best during a frustrating defeat to the Crusaders. Photo: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Crusaders playmaker Richie Mo’unga, who controlled the game and featured prominently in the first-half, said his side were pleased to come away with the victory, but said they needed to improve despite their horror injury run.
“It was a bit scrappy for our liking, but we talked all week about the importance of playing the Reds here at Suncorp – a stadium with great history – and it was a privilege for us to play here,” he said.
“It wasn’t the performance we were after but wins are hard to come by these days, so we’ll take that.
“There’s no excuses for us. The next man has to step in. We set high standards for our Crusaders team; a few execution issues, it was slippery with the sweat on the ball.
“Classic Reds team, put us under a whole heap of pressure during the game and it could have been a lot different had we not got things right.”
The Reds only had themselves to blame for their poor start.
James O’Connor kicked the ball dead from a penalty in the opening minutes, three linebreak opportunities were failed to take advantage of and Isaac Henry shanked a shot at goals. All that in the opening 12 minutes.
Then the Crusaders led 15-0 after Mo’unga’s settling penalty and tries to Leicester Fainga’anuku and Dom Gardner.
The Reds responded quickly with a brilliant try to McDermott, who finished off some lovely counterattacking work from Jock Campbell, O’Connor and Harry Wilson.
While the home side fought hard early in the second half, defending a number of scrums on their own line along the way, the Crusaders extended their lead when Heinz controversially scored at the base of a ruck. It came despite the Reds effectively having no chance of making a play on the replacement halfback.
A neat kick from McDermott sent Petaia in, but the Reds bombed a number of late chances, including a bizarre shot at goals, to steal the game or, at the very least, come away with a losing bonus point.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
So ok for you to assume I am a committed Hooper supporter, then spend the entirety of your response taking offence at my comment about you not thinking this through, but failing to respond to a single point raised except to say you dont suppprt the reds backrow. It was you saying you would br stunned if Hooper started, but not so surprised if he makes the squad. Based on what? WHo do you think will start ahead of him against the AB's if none of the reds or Hooper... Happy to make a wager on that too.
Canberrafella
Roar Rookie
Thanks for analyzing my intellect Chivas and knowing who I’d pick at open side for the Wallabies - very educational. Don’t expect you to follow my comments but if you had seen them you’d know I don’t rate any of the Reds loose forwards let alone pick one to start for the Wallabies! As for ‘your wager’ I suspect you can collect your prize already as Hooper baring injury looks like he’s off to the RWC. So be it, I just wouldn’t start him!
CUW
Roar Rookie
he gave a short arm if i recall - but quite late in the game i think but it seems the message has gone from powers that be to refs - saw the same thing happen in heinecken cup games - refs penalizing 9s for not feeding faster. after all what is the point of trying to set up a scurm in 30 seconds if the 9 takes a nother 30 seconds to feed it :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Id put Mounga and BB down the list a bit at the mo. Both playing very average at times. Dmac controlled that game last night and is looking like the form 10 of the comp. I bet Foster wont play him there tho.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As are many, but also a Kiwi citizen, where his iwi is from! What are you?
Loosey
Roar Rookie
“ and the word clumsy probably sums them up. ” They are the antithesis of ‘slick’.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
All is not lost. The Force vs the Hurricanes today. When an irresistible force meets an immoveable object…… :rugby:
Loosey
Roar Rookie
The tight 5 are very much up to the Australian standard.
Loosey
Roar Rookie
The $5 million dollar contract didn’t hurt either for getting picked. There is that.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
Bro, I know that. The original poster has no idea that Waitaki River border exists, is the point. Matt Burke is NSW through and through. Queensland isn't in his rugby orbit and to suggest it is you'd be laughed at. Cheers.
Big A
Roar Rookie
Goob morning Ferret - sorry about that previous thread - sold you abit of a hospital pass - all's I was saying was that Qld seem to be churning out a lot of small players and Fraser is too small for international rugby - you then chimed in with your Hooper reference and then the merit certificate brigade took over - what nonsense - there wouldn't be one international team that doesn't smirk when they read a wallaby selection and see Hoops at 7 - they must say something along the lines of "right we will murder them at the breakdown - now let's see what other tactics we need"
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Well Thorn was an ex Sader in his playing days.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
He was given free rein to tear the place down on the basis it was needed to get it to the top. Where they are now could have been achieved with a lot less turmoil.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Yeh Oz, just imagine if both the Saders AB's Whitelock & Blackadder had of started, I'm pretty sure it would've be a far more sound Saders pack on the paddock then, knowing how good both of them are in their workrate.
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Hahaha yes Jacko!! As we saw last night, with BB having an absolute shocker up against that bloke from Southland, DMac. Obviously BB needs to pick up his game as well! Lol
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Wrong ATW Thorn's whanau is from Mosgiel, on the Taieri Plains over Saddle Hill, from Otepoti.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
A committed Hooper supporter. No mate. I just am not so quick to write off a player of his quality, thinking others can easily step into the breach and I think if you will find nor do most international coaches. You may not know it, but Sam Cane doesn’t leap in the line outs and get a lot of turn-over ball either. He is a different style of player and as an AB and Chiefs supporter I naturally like him and rate him very highly. But that aside you think Cane will be hard to match for Hooper, but not the other way around. I am pretty sure Cane doesn’t see it that way. For the record they are similar in weight and age. And you think McReight who is no taller and bigger will be starting against the AB’s or do you think it will be some left field pick like LW who doesn’t currently play in that position. Here’s another thing. Dalton Papalii (AB flanker and Blues captain) who I also rate very highly is considered too big by many to be an open side and LW is similar height and a bit lighter. Dalton Papalii’s favourite player is guess who? Michael Hooper. You can believe what you like but I don’t think you are thinking this through at all. I think you will find Hooper will be very much in EJ’s plans. As I say happy to make a wager that he is selected to go to France. That is where we started off and prepare to be stunned.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Fair enough. McReight is not too small. I think he is close to being the complete 7. Australia is lucky to have such good options at 7. McReight will get better. There is a bigger gap from him to the next option than between him and Hooper in my view. I also don’t think Liam Wright will be the Wallaby 6 in the near future. I think he is another automatic pick for the RWC. If Taniela Tupou is fit, Rodda and Frost, McReight Hooper, Valentini, LW / JH… that’s a pretty decent forward pack. I think people may well be under estimating the Wallabies and just how strong of a team they may actually be able to field come RWC. The end of year tour showed how genuinely close they are. A season is a lifetime in a World Cup year… and anybody thinking this years side won’t be stronger than last is in for a rude awakening.
The Ferret
Roar Rookie
I was not questioning Hooper..: I was getting into someone who was saying McRight was too small. But these are the people who thought Hooper was too small.
Canberrafella
Roar Rookie
Ok - so your a very committed Hooper supporter! I’m not anti Hooper I just think we need someone bigger and quicker. He played his heart again tonight against the Brumbies and without him the Waratahs would’ve been in trouble. But that’s a provincial team he’s up against and the likes of Same Cane & Josh Van Der Flier are going to make it hard for him at the International level. Anyway it won’t surprise me to see him picked in the training squad tomorrow but it will stun me if he starts at 7 against the All Blacks.