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Crusaders overcome spirited Reds to qualify for Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals

(Photo by SANKA VIDANAGAMA/AFP via Getty Images)

A wobbly scrum has cost an audacious Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final defeat to the Crusaders.

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The hosts prevailed 37-15 in Christchurch on Friday night, ending a Reds season crippled by constant key injuries that contributed to a 0-6 record against New Zealand teams.

But the Crusaders were made to work for an 11th straight head-to-head win, Reds five-eighth Lawson Creighton missing a penalty kick from 40 metres out, almost directly in front, that would have put them up 18-16 with 30 minutes to play.

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At that point the Reds were daring to dream of breaking a 19-game losing run away from home against New Zealand opposition, let alone notch their first win in Christchurch since 1999.

But the set piece let them down, the Crusaders preying on it and eventually breaking the game open when Richie Mounga scored from another scrum penalty.

They iced their semi-final passage when Sevu Reece finished a slick 80-metre move started by hot-footed fullback Will Jordan.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott was badly concussed during that sequence, while earlier in the half All Blacks hopeful Ethan Blackadder left the field with a suspected broken wrist.

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Those injuries were a nod to a brutal, high-intensity game that the Reds – other than in the scrum – matched the powerhouse side.

Heavily involved winger Filipo Daugunu had arguably his best night of the season, scoring off a slick line-out move and lovely short pass from Creighton to begin the second half.

The Reds’ only won half of their scrums and gave away nine penalties – many of them lazy or ill-disciplined – to two in the first half.

But still it was only an eight-point margin at the break, a Will Jordan knock-on in the lead-up denying the hosts a bonus try from a missed Reds lineout after the halftime siren had sounded.

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A faulty Crusaders lineout led to the Reds’ early try, Harry Hoopert with fantastic hands and Jordan Petaia busting the line to set up Suliasi Vunivalu.

The flying winger had plenty of work to do though, fending off one tackler then riding two more as he slid into the corner successfully.

The Crusaders scored first when Will Jordan rolled over, but it was otherwise penalties that built their lead in a fiery, high-stakes atmosphere.

Crusaders 37 (Tries to Will Jordan, Richie Mo’unga, Sevu Reece and Tamaiti Williams; 4 conversions and 3 penalties to Mo’unga)

Reds 15 (Tries to Suliasi Vunivalu and Filipo Daugunu; conversion and penalty to Lawson Creighton)

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AM 43 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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