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'When we hold the ball... things can happen'

The Reds and Crusaders boil over in Brisbane

The Crusaders have extended their record Super Rugby winning streak to 18, dominating Queensland’s scrum in a 22-12 win in Brisbane.

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The back-to-back defending champions dictated play on Saturday, holding 60 per cent of possession and making 46 fewer tackles as they repeatedly won the battle of the breakdown.

A first-half injury to Jordan Petaia’s foot or ankle could also prove cause for concern, with the emerging Reds centre to have scans after it was crushed in a tackle.

All Blacks front-row duo Joe Moody and Owen Franks were all class in the scrums, while Brad Thorn lamented the Reds’ impatience with ball in hand.

“Out of respect we brought them and I’m glad we did, they were exceptional tonight,” Crusaders coach Scott Robertson said of the decision not to rest one or both of his star forwards.

Twice in the second half the Crusaders pushed over from close-range line-outs to seal the contest, with the first of those coming via Whetu Douglas following a 22-phase sequence.

Scott Higginbotham came off the bench to score late for the Reds and deny the visitors a bonus point after they were forced to play the final six minutes with just 14 players.

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Starting No.10 Richie Mo’unga had returned to the field to replace Mitch Hunt, who had suffered an injury most thought to be a head knock.

Officials didn’t agree though, and with all their reserves used up Mo’unga was forced back off the ground in a curious move Robertson said would be investigated by the side.

The hosts’ chances of a comeback had earlier been thwarted when JP Smith was penalised for the slightest of obstructions as Liam Wright strolled through for a disallowed try with 10 minutes to play.

Reds coach Brad Thorn said his side’s kicking game needed improvement, not abandoning as they sought to find a balance of styles in their own half.

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“It felt like we got opportunities with ball and we turned it straight back over,” he said.

“When we hold the ball … things can happen.”

Jack Goodhue’s clever cross-field kick found Braydon Ennor all alone on the wing for the Cantabrians’ first, before fullback Will Jordan finished a sequence that stretched 80 metres and saw eight sets of hands.

Samu Kerevi’s decision not to take a shot at goal in the 35th minute paid off though, with the Reds captain slicing through to make it 7-10 at the break.

AAP

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Nickers 35 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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