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Crusaders
37
Match Complete
Queensland Reds
15
| R. Mo'unga |  | 75 | ||
| F. Brewis |  | 73 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 65 | ||
| S. Reece | | 64 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 57 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 56 | ||
| 43 | | L. Creighton | ||
| 42 | | F. Daugunu | ||
| R. Mo'unga |  | 38 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 31 | ||
| 24 | | S. Vunivalu | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 15 | ||
| W. Jordan | | 14 | ||
| R. Mo'unga | | 9 | ||
| 5 | | L. Creighton |
| 4 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 4 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 3 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Crusaders face the Queensland Reds in the first Super Rugby Pacific final of 2022. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm AEST.
Has there ever been a bigger favourite to win in a rugby final? In a do-or-die match the Crusaders are odds on to get this done in front of their home fans and the Reds need a miracle on grass to stop it from happening.
Reds coach Brad Thorn has been using State of Origin references during the week with Queensland having their backs to the wall.
“The brawls, the big hits, the atmosphere around Origin and what it means to be a Queenslander have been the key themes of the week,” Captain Tate McDermott said.
“We won’t see a biff, but you’ll definitely see a bit of niggle; once we say we’re not taking a backward step we’re a far better side.
Being underdogs in a final is not the worst thing and that siege mentality will at least give the team some motivation for the opening stanza of the match. If they can keep the adrenaline flowing stranger things have happened but you sense it’s going to take something herculean to pull this off given the form of the Reds which was highlighted by Nick Bishop this week.
The Crusaders welcome back All Blacks trio Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo’unga and Codie Taylor, while Pablo Matera controversially escaped a ban after his tip tackle on Jordie Petaia last week, an incident which appeared similar to Sam Gilbert’s red card a week earlier.
Brad Thorn said the Reds contacted officials about the incident, and made it clear it left him baffled.
“At the end of the day it’s done now and it’s all about Friday but going on the game with NSW and the Highlanders the week before with a similar situation and the outcome – with the consistency of that stuff and the safety of looking after players, I don’t really understand it,” he said.
“Right now, we’ve moved on. We’ve had to, we’re about preparing for this game and that’s most important now.”
Prediction
The Reds were far from embarrassed last week and will no doubt come to the fight well-armed and prepared. However, knocking off the Crusaders, especially considering their long, lean run against them, will make the task a challenging one.
Despite threatening moments, the home side will be disciplined and classy enough to secure the win.
Crusaders by 17 points.
Venue: Orangetheory Stadium
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Crusaders $1.05, Reds $10.00 – odds via PlayUp
Crusaders
(1-15) George Bower, Codie Taylor, Oli Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Ethan Blackadder, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Faninga’anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Finlay Brewis, Fletcher Newell, Zach Gallagher, Tom Christie, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge
Reds
(1-15) Harry Hoopert, Matt Faessler, Feao Fotuaika, Angus Blyth, Ryan Smith, Seru Uru, Liam Wright (co-c), Harry Wilson, Tate McDermott (co-c), Lawson Creighton, Filipo Daugunu, Hamish Stewart, Jordan Petaia, Suliasi Vunivalu, Jock Campbell.
Reserves: Richie Asiata, Dane Zander, Sef Fa’agase, Connor Vest, Angus Scott-Young, Fraser McReight, Kalani Thomas, Hunter Paisami
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