Queensland Reds defeat Crusaders

[nickdnz]

The Queensland Reds have opened their 2011 Investec Super Rugby pre-season campaign with a 42-15 win over the Crusaders in Cairns.

The scoreline, while impressive, is not a fair indicator as the seven time champions were missing Richie McCaw, Dan Carter, Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford, Sonny Bill Williams, Andy Ellis, Kieran Read, Brad Thorn and the Franks brothers.

Queensland were close to full strength.

Yet the Reds showed a fair amount of cohesion for their first match of the year, and their backline continued off where they left 2010, with Quade Cooper navigating the traffic well.

Captain James Horwill, who suffered a season ending knee injury against the same team in round two last year, made a successful comeback.

North Harbour playmaker Mike Harris also impressed in his first game for the Reds, kicking all of his conversions and showing he fit in well with the Queensland systems.

The Reds scored three tries in each half, but while they looked in control for most of the match, the Crusaders did hit back in the second with scores to George Whitelock and Robert Fruean.

The Crusaders head to Melbourne to play the Rebels next week, while the Reds remain in the top end and play the Brumbies in Darwin.

Queensland Reds 42
Tries: Samo, Chambers, Faingaa, Ione, Robinson, Harris
Cons: Cooper 3, Harris 3

Crusaders 15
Tries: Fruean, G Whitelock
Con: A Whitelock
Pen: Bleyendaal

Reds: 15 Rod Davies, 14 Aidan Toua, 13 Digby Ioane, 12 Will Chambers, 11 Luke Morahan, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia (vice-captain), 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Radike Samo, 5 Van Humphries, 4 James Horwill (captain), 3 James Slipper, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Ben Daley.
Replacements - from: Kimami Sitauti, Ben Tapuai, Mike Harris, Ian Prior, Leroy Houston, Lei Tomiki, Beau Robinson, Ben Coridas, David McDuling, Guy Shepherdson, James Hanson, Albert Anae, Greg Holmes.

Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Patrick Osborne, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Tu Umaga-Marshall, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Willi Heinz, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Brendon O'Connor, 5 Luke Romano, 4 Chris Jack (captain), 3 Nicholas Barrett, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements - from: Jonny McNichol, Tom Taylor, Matt Berquist, Steve Alfeld, George Whitelock, Joel Everson, Andrew Olorenshaw, Codie Taylor, Francis Smith, Sam Prattley.

http://www.allblacks.com/news/15320/Second-string-Crusaders-lose-to-Reds-in-Cairns

 

[Shaggy]

I don't think the Crusaders had nearly enough Whitelocks in the team

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Queensland Reds 42
Tries: Samo, Chambers, Faingaa, Ione, Robinson, Harris

Fantastic spelling of Ioane....

 

[nickdnz]

Fantastic spelling of Ioane....

That's the price you pay when 80% of your name is vowels.

 

[Sam Owen]

Wooh what a thrashing. Way to go the Reds!

Has to be said im afraid but it is just a pre-season hit out, the signs are good for the Reds though.

 

[Shaggy]

Fantastic spelling of Ioane....

Even when all of the letters are included in his name, the commentators still don't pronounce it correctly

... it will be interesting to see how much game time those Crusaders players will get when the competition starts

 

[ranger]

Wooh what a thrashing. Way to go the Reds!

Has to be said im afraid but it is just a pre-season hit out, the signs are good for the Reds though.

Yeah, every year the Crusaders probably have the worst preseason record out of all the 14 teams. They really look to get their fringe players involved and give them a chance to show that they can handle the step up. It seems to work for them though

 

[TyphoonsRugby]

Doesnt mean much when its a full strength Reds vs a B Crusaders...

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Bit defensive Mitch?
It's ok I'm sure Digby didn't hurt Robbie

 

[Shaggy]

Bit defensive Mitch?
It's ok I'm sure Digby didn't hurt Robbie

Guess we'll have to wait for the rematch on 29th May

 

[bobbilycious]

Doesnt mean much when its a full strength Reds vs a B Crusaders...

Agreed. And when you take into account the subs its getting pretty close to a C team.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

Want to blame the pitch and the Ref as well?

 

[nickdnz]

Want to blame the pitch and the Ref as well?

Now that you come to mention it...

 

[TyphoonsRugby]

I dont think Captain Reds Supporter can handle its a preseason match with no real bearing on the season ahead....

 

[Dizzy]

Man captain reds is in for a hell of a fright when the season kicks off... I'd say this was a third strength crusaders squad..

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I dont think Captain Reds Supporter can handle its a preseason match with no real bearing on the season ahead....

How's that Reds jersey you bought last season going

 

[bobbilycious]

Want to blame the pitch and the Ref as well?

I'm not blaming anything or anyone, you were simply the better team. However, I am saying that you can't take much from the win when half the bench (and a couple of starters) have never even played ITM Cup (not even off the bench). This is not evidence that the Reds will have a good season, although I would love it if they did. They are one of my favourite teams to watch (them and the Chiefs).

 

[Larksea]

the result was a bit of a shock till you compare lineups, Crucaders starting 15 only has what 2 or 3 players that would be part of their regular team, Reds look much more like their actual top team even fielding their stars Cooper & Genia.

This is a Crucaders side is missing the likes of:
McCaw
Carter
Read
Thorn
Dagg
Franks Borthers x2
Sam Whitelock
Andy Elis
Sonny Bill Williams
Cory Flynn
Zac Guildford

Who are all AB's, plus regulars Maitland, Fotuali'i & Ryan Crotty that means that the Crucaders 15 best players didn't take part in the game.

Not a good idea to read much into the result.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

I'm not reading into it at all haha, It's a trial which are notoriously unreliable as to how the season goes, I just like beating the Crusaders and annoying the hell out of certain people about it

 

[markshaw]

I'm not reading into it at all haha, It's a trial which are notoriously unreliable as to how the season goes, I just like beating the Crusaders and annoying the hell out of certain people about it

As an aucklander I really agree with you! Im a fan of the reds they are by far the best aussie team going around attacking wise