Reds crush Crusaders
Quade Cooper scored a club record 31 points as the Reds inflicted a humiliating 41-20 drubbing on the Crusaders in Brisbane.
Last Updated: 21/02/10 4:00pm
Behind a stellar 31-point performance from fly-half Quade Cooper, the Reds inflicted a humiliating 41-20 drubbing on the Crusaders in Brisbane.
The Reds beat the Super 14 favourites for the first time in 11 years, but it was a result worth waiting for as they dished out a real beating at the Suncorp Stadium.
A first real upset result of the Super 14 season was thoroughly for the home side, who dominated from start to finish and ran in four tries to two to grab a bonus point.
Cooper scored two of the tries, converted three and hit five penalties as his 31 points in a game set a new record for the Reds and if continues in his current form, the boys from Brisbane will surprise a few more teams this year.
The Crusaders' error-count will have coach Todd Blackadder worried, while his opposite number Ewen McKenzie will be delighted with his team's fantastic display both on attack and defence.
Breakdown
Referee Craig Joubert was allowing no leeway at the breakdown and Dan Carter was able to level Cooper's early kick on the ten minute mark, before kicking a wonderful penalty from the touchline to put the 'Saders ahead.
The Crusaders gave away as many penalties in the first 25 minutes as they did in the whole game last week, and Cooper was able to pop another three-pointer over to make it 6-6, as Owen Franks was sent to the bin for his deliberate ruck infringement.
The Reds made their numerical advantage count with half time looming as Morgan Turinui broke through and put Rod Davies into space. The winger was stopped just short of the line, but Peter Hynes and Cooper were up quickly and the full-back's pass saw the fly-half dive over to round off a fabulous try.
The fly-half added another penalty before the break and the Queenslanders were good value for their 14-6 half-time lead.
The second period started the way the first had ended with Cooper extending the lead to fourteen from the kicking tee with two more penalties, as the visitors continued to make a rod for their own backs.
Control
The Reds continued to make the running and moved further ahead when Digby Ioane ran onto Anthony Faingaa's chip for the second try.
The Crusaders can never be counted out though and when Andy Ellis scored from close range after Reds lock Adam Byrnes was sent to the bin, a comeback from the New Zealanders seemed inevitable.
But the home side would strike straight back as Turinui broke clear on the counter attack, before Davies used his speed to run around the Crusaders cover defence for the Reds' third try.
Cooper sealed the deal as he intercepted an attempted pass and ran all the way to score a try with just six minutes left to play, securing the bonus point in the process.
A late try for Brad Thorn will be scant consolation for a Crusaders team that was totally outplayed.
