Cooper the hero as the Reds stun Crusaders
19 February 2010 (12:30)
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| Quade Cooper © Gallo Images |
The Reds inflicted a heavy defeat on the Crusaders in Brisbane on Friday with a stunning 41-20 Vodacom Super 14 victory.
Blow-by-blow scoring
The Reds claimed a four-try bonus point victory to break an
11-year drought against the faltering seven-time Super rugby
champions.
Wallaby flyhalf Quade Cooper was the Reds' hero with 31 points
from two tries, three conversions and five penalty goals.
The Crusaders, sorely missing the leadership of All Blacks
skipper Richie McCaw, suffered their worst defeat in six years
since crashing out 43-19 to the Waratahs at home.
It was the Reds' first victory over the Crusaders since their
36-23 win in Christchurch in 1999 and their first at home since
1998.
The champion New Zealanders turned in one of the worst
performances in years, conceding 24 turnovers, 17 handling errors
and missing 23 tackles.
"We came over here with high hopes, but we just weren't there,"
lamented Crusaders' skipper Kieran Read. "We just gave away too
many penalties and dropped too much ball."
But it was a magical night for the much-maligned Reds, who have
been the worst performing Australian province for the last three
Super 14 seasons, and an early indication of better times ahead
under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
The Reds, with Cooper and scrumhalf Will Genia in sparkling
form, led 14-6 at half time after Cooper started and finished a try
in the 36th-minute.
Queensland gradually pulled away from the misfiring Crusaders
with winger Digby Ioane charging on to a grubber kick from centre
Anthony Faingaa and racing away for a try and a 27-6 lead in the
57th minute.
The Crusaders got back to 27-13 with a converted try to scrumhalf
Andrew Ellis in the 62nd minute, but the Reds pulled away again
with another runaway try to speedster Rod Davies minutes later.
The Reds sealed victory when Cooper picked up a dropped Ellis
pass and strolled over for his team's fourth try and a scoring
bonus point six minutes from time.
The Crusaders gained a consolation try from All Black lock Brad
Thorn in the final minute with Dan Carter converting to finish with
10 points.
The Reds' triumph was tempered by the likely long-term loss
of skipper and Wallaby lock James Horwill with suspected damaged
knee ligaments.
"It's an awesome result and there was a lot of talk whether we
could back up after last week (30-28 loss to the Waratahs) so it's
nice to shut a few people up," said Horwill, who feared he faces a
long stint on the sidelines.
"It doesn't look real good, I'll have a scan but I think I might
have done a few ligaments in my knee."
SCORERS:
Reds:
Tries - Quade Cooper (2), Digby Ioane (2). Conversions - Cooper (3). Penalties - Cooper (5).
Crusaders:
Try - Andy Ellis, Brad Thorn. Conversions - Daniel Carter (2). Penalties - Carter (2).
Read more on the Super 14 page.
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