Cooper, Genia spark Reds to win over Force

Anthony Faingaa © Getty images

Flyhalf Quade Cooper produced a superb individual performance to orchestrate the Queensland Reds' 50-10 victory over fellow Australian side the Western Force in their Super 14 match in Brisbane on Sunday.

Blow-by-blow scoring

Cooper, aided by the time and space accorded by Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia's long accurate passes and dangerous running, constantly kept his pack going forward and unleashed his potent backline at will.

The Wallaby flyhalf also slotted 13 points with the boot before he was replaced with just over 20 minutes remaining, while the Reds scored seven tries and moved into sixth place in the standings after their third win of the season.

"We spoke about setting a platform and giving myself and Quade the space to work with and they did that," Genia said of the work done by his forwards, which allowed him and Cooper to direct the game.

"I thought we managed the game really well and came away with the points."

The Reds achieved a four-try bonus point by halftime, posting a 36-3 lead, with Anthony Faingaa and Digby Ioane both scoring twice, while winger Luke Morahan also crossed.

Cooper added four conversions and a penalty, while Australia utility back James O'Connor slotted a penalty for the Force.

The second half was played in driving rain and affected by a rash of substitutions that caused the game to lose its structure.

Western Force winger Nick Cummins scored a dubious try, with the final pass of the move appearing to be forward, early in the second half, which O'Connor converted from close to the touchline.

Reds flanker Scott Higginbotham scored a freak try after Force fullback Dane Haylett-Petty feigned forcing the ball for a 22-metre restart from an unsuccessful penalty attempt by Cooper.

Haylett-Petty then accelerated away from behind his try line for 35 metres but his intended pass to O'Connor went to Higginbotham, who returned the ball virtually to the same position Haylett-Petty had begun his attack from.

Cooper was successful with the conversion before being replaced shortly afterwards and the final 20 minutes fell flat with Higginbotham's second try with four minutes remaining capping the victory.

"Quite simply the first half just killed us," Force captain Nathan Sharpe said. "You're playing catch up football when you're 30 points behind at halftime."

Scorers:
Reds - Tries: Anthony Faingaan (2), Luke Morahan, Digby Ioane (2), Scott Higginbotham (2). Conversions: Quade Cooper (5), Ben Lucas. Penalty: Cooper.
Western Force - Try: Nick Cummins. Conversion: James O`Connor. Penalty: J O`Connor.

Read more on the Super 14 page.

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