The Queensland Reds have ended the regular season of Super Rugby Pacific with a 28-15 loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch. The Reds had their chances to cause an upset, but their execution went missing at vital times to setup a rematch in the quarter final next week.
It was a strange game for both sides with some aimless kicking throughout. The Reds lineout woes allowed the Crusaders to get out of trouble easily and they would be ruing those missed chances of causing an upset with an injury depleted squad.
The Reds couldn’t match the physicality in the first half but looked more at ease in the second as they adjusted their game plan.
Brad Thorn might also question why Pablo Matera did not see a red card for his lifting clean out on Jordan Petaia that drew comparisons with Sam Gilbert’s effort on Michael Hooper last week that saw him cop a 5 week suspension,
The Reds survived an early scare as Pablo Matera knocked on in goal as the Crusaders started to make inroads. Their increasing injury toll claimed another as Matt Faessler was knocked out attempting to tackle Cullen Grace.
After all that action in the opening ten minutes the dam finally broke, and the Crusaders scored two tries in quick succession to Fergus Burke and Will Jordan.
The Reds had their chances in the attacking 22 but it was their execution not allowing them to capitalise. Their lineout was misfiring in key positions and a Tate McDermott quick tap 5 metres out that was turned over let the Crusaders off the hook.
Lawson Creighton did open the Reds account with a penalty goal after 26 minutes, but it was only a temporary reprieve. The Crusaders added their third try just before the break off a rolling maul to hooker Brodie McAlister.
Second Half
The Reds had a golden opportunity to close the gap early in the half as Creighton found a gap, but his offloads couldn’t be reeled in by Jordan Petaia, who had been largely anonymous to this point.
It was a rare breach against the solid Crusaders wall of defence and summed up the Reds frustrations.
Their hopes of bridging the gap received a boost as Pablo Matera was yellow card for a lifting clear out on Jordan Petaia, with replays suggesting he was lucky not to see red.
The Reds took advantage of the extra player in the forwards and Richie Asiata, who hadn’t had his best night, was able to get over the line.
Any chance of a comeback was erased ten minutes later as Tom Christie was given the nod from TMO for a try to make it 28-10 at the 70-minute mark.
The Reds did have one last effort in them as Harry Wilson scored out wide on the right to cap off an indifferent night for both sides before they face off again next Friday
Crusaders 28
Tries: Burke, Jordan, McAlister, Christie
Conversions: Burke 4
Reds 15
Tries: Asiata, Wilson
Conversions: Creighton
Penalties: Creighton
Cards
55th minute – Pablo Matera (Crusaders) – Yellow
