A brilliant individual score from Will Genia was the difference between the two sides as the Reds overcame the Crusaders in a thrilling final to claim their first Super Rugby title.
Both sides started the game in confident moods after producing powerful displays in their semi-final matches last week. The Reds controlled the ball in the opening ten minutes, looking to stretch the Crusaders defence by moving the ball wide and playing and their usual high tempo.
But it was the New Zealand side who had the chance to register the first points of the game after 14 minutes, but Dan Carter pushed his kick wide left and the scores stayed at 0-0. The pressure started to build and only some resolute defence by the men from Queensland stopped the Crusaders scoring after 15 phases of play inside the 22.
The Crusaders were dominating at scrum time and they were not allowing Genia and Quade Cooper to settle into the game, which was disrupting the Reds flow, and bone rattling defence meant the scoring chances were very limited in the opening half hour. Despite having just 41% possession the Reds did score the games first points after a brilliant penalty goal from Quade Cooper made it 3-0.
But just four minutes later the Crusaders were over for the games first try. When Carter got the ball in his hands he spotted that there was no full-back in place, he put a perfectly weighted grubber kick behind the defence and scooped the ball up and scored under the posts. Carter then added the extras to give the Crusaders a 7-3 lead.The Reds had the chance to close the gap to a single point going into the break, and Cooper duly obliged slotting the simple penalty to make the scores 6-7 at half time.
The Crusaders started the second half like at a ferocious pace and nearly scored their second try of the game, but Sean Maitland couldn't collect the pass after a splendid break by centre Robbie Fruean.
Five minutes later the Crusaders thought they had scored but lock Brad Thorn, playing his last game of Super Rugby, was held up as he crossed the line. But they did get some reward for all the pressure when Carter added simple penalty goal to extend the lead to 10-6.
But the momentum once again swung in favour of the Reds and they scored their first try of the game after 50 minutes. A poor clearance kick was collected by Genia who floated a pass to Cooper who found Digby Ioane, the flying winger then stepped his way through the Crusaders defence and showed electric pace to score a sensational try under the posts. Cooper added the easy conversion to restore the Reds lead at 13-10. But the Crusaders were level just five minutes later after another routine kick from Carter made it 13-13.
The game started to open up going into the final 15 minutes and Genia took advantage of the space. The Australian scrum-half shaped to kick from the back of the ruck, but he fooled the defence and stepped past the tacklers and found himself with one man to beat 50 metres from the line, the Australian Super Rugby Player of the Year showed tremendous pace and scored to cap off a magnificent individual try. Cooper was once again on target with the kick to give the Reds a five point lead at 18-13.
The final ten minutes was a frantic affair but the Queensland side managed to hold off the Crusaders attacks to claim their first Super Rugby title. The Reds just edged the game and deserved the win, they took their chances when they came and were solid in defence. The forwards really stood up the challenge and Scott Higginbotham and Beau Robinson were particularly impressive. Cooper and Genia took control of the game in the second period and
The Crusaders execution just let them down at the crucial moments, but despite defeat they can be extremely proud of the efforts in the face of adversity this season.
Queensland Reds 18-13 Crusaders - Final Score
Man of the Match
Will Genia
Congratulations to the Reds!
