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Reds
12
Match Complete
Crusaders
22
| S. Higginbotham |  | 74 | ||
| 57 | | J. Taufua | ||
| 50 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 48 | | W. Douglas | ||
| B. Hegarty | | 38 | ||
| S. Kerevi | | 37 | ||
| 8 | | W. Jordan | ||
| 6 | | B. Ennor |
| 2 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 0 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
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The Crusaders remain undefeated after beating the Reds 22-12 at Suncorp Stadium.
The defending champions have now won 18 in a row, and a competition record of eight away victories on the bounce, after adding the Queenslanders to their list of scalps.
The Crusaders started strongly and went in front after just five minutes when Jack Goodhue bombed to the right wing for Braydon Ennor to score.
Then from the restart the Kiwis turned it on and scored one of the standout tries of the season. They went almost 70 metres with pass after pass, keeping the ball alive with smart offloads as Will Jordan finished it off.
Richie Mo’unga couldn’t convert again, with his poor goal-kicking keeping the Reds in it.
Things looked ominious early with the Crusaders enjoying all of the ball and constantly asking questions of the Reds defence.
It got worse when Jordan Petaia had to come off with a foot injury. The Crusaders’ scrum was dominant but their hands started to let them down and the home team fought their way back into the contest.
Right before half-time Samu Kerevi burst over to cut the deficit to 10-7.
But in the second half the visitors stepped it up and bagged try number three off a rolling maul, the impressive Whetu Douglas with the five-pointer.
The Reds then had to play with 14 men when Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was sin-binned for offside.
The Crusaders put the result virtually beyond doubt when Jordan Taufau scored after another textbook powerful maul.
Liam Wright got over the try-line for the home side in the 69th minute, but the score was chalked off controversially for obstruction in the lead-up.
The Reds managed a try in the dying stages through substitute Scott Higginbotham, but it mattered little as the Crusaders held on for another victory.
Final score
Reds 12
Crusaders 22
The Crusaders are looking to keep their unbeaten streak going when they visit the Reds in Brisbane. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog from 7:45pm AEDT.
Queensland are out to bounce back after a very close loss against the Highlanders. The Reds got their season started well with a win over the Rebels in round one and then they were unlucky against Otago last weekend.
They will face an in-form side with two wins from two matches. The Crusaders downed the Blues and then backed it up with a 16-win over fellow Kiwis the Hurricanes.
The side from Canterbury enjoys a fantastic record against the Reds, which stretches all the way back to the 2011 Super Rugby final. They are the defending champions and have won their past 17 matches in a row – a fantastic feat.
But Brad Thorn has the Reds’ scrum firing and their forwards fronting up. The Crusaders are in for a torrid time at Suncorp if they are to keep their undefeated run alive.
Veteran Scott Higginbotham returns from injury and will be a valued addition for the Reds. Also adding impact from the bench is Caleb Timu.
The Crusaders have made a number of changes with David Havili moved to the bench and Will Jordan starting at fullback. All Black Ryan Crotty has been dropped, and Tom Sanders has been given a starting spot.
The Crusaders have a wealth of options to chose from. Their depth is arguably the best in the competition.
The Reds will need their dynamic halves Moses Sorovi and Hamish Stewart to fire to upset their Kiwi foes.
Prediction
The Crusaders to add another W and win, but to do it the hard way.
The Crusaders by 3.
When: 7:45pm AEDT
Where: Suncorp Stadium
TV: Fox Sports
Betting: Reds $5, Draw $20, Crusaders $1.50
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