The Reds tackle the Crusaders in the inaugural final to the Super Rugby tournament, when they face each other for the second time at Suncorp Stadium this season, and this time it is for more than just log points.
Looking at the home team first, they have had a nice easy run in to this weekend’s match, with a weekend off two weeks ago and beat the Blues last weekend at this very same stadium.
The Crusaders on the other hand, had to tackle the Sharks at home, and then had to travel to Cape Town to tackle a Stormers outfit in a match that looked easier than it really was, and have now made the trip back to Australia to take on the table topping Reds.
The difference in this match will come down to the flyhalves. Quade Cooper vs Dan Carter reads like a tale of the tape between between two heavyweight boxers. One is a fleet footed running machine while the other commands a backline and kicks like there is no tomorrow. The battle of the flyhalves will ultimately decide who wins this match,
The bookies are giving the Reds a head start on points, meaning that the Crusaders are seen as favourites to this match, but it will be a shame if the team finishing top of the table does not win the trophy at the end of the day.
Teams:
Reds :1. Ben Daley , 2. Saia Faingaa , 3. Greg Holmes , 4. Rob Simmons , 5. James Horwill (c) , 6. Scott Higginbotham , 7. Beau Robinson , 8. Radike Samo , 9. Will Genia (vc) , 10. Quade Cooper , 11. Digby Ioane , 12. Ben Tapuai , 13. Anthony Faingaa , 14. Rod Davies , 15. Jono Lance
Replacements : 16. James Hanson , 17. Guy Shepherdson , 18. Adam Wallace-Harrison , 19. Jake Schatz , 20. Liam Gill , 21. Ian Prior , 22. Will Chambers
Crusaders: 1. Wyatt Crockett , 2. Corey Flynn , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Brad Thorn , 5. Sam Whitelock , 6. George Whitelock , 7. Richie McCaw (c) , 8. Kieran Read , 9. Andy Ellis/Kahn Fotuali’i , 10. Dan Carter , 11. Zac Guildford , 12. Sonny Bill Williams , 13. Robbie Fruean , 14. Sean Maitland , 15. Tom Marshall
Relacements : 16. Quentin MacDonald , 17. Ben Franks , 18. Luke Romano/Chris Jack , 19. Matt Todd , 20. Kahn Fotuali’i/Willi Heinz , 21. Matt Berquist , 22. Ryan Crotty
Match Officials
Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Stuart Dickinson (Australia), Vinny Munro (New Zealand)
Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia)
Tweet
It will be a shame if the Reds win my arse. 😉
The Aussies have screwed all and sundry and now want the trophy.
GO SADERS!!!!!! By Plenty!!
Really looking forward to this game. I’ve got Crusaders by 5.
I see Stef is in the SS studio today. Interviewing for his new job??? 😆
@Ben (Comment 2) : by 15 for me, but I’m stuck at work. 🙁
I went all out again and have the reds by 11
@KSA Shark © (Comment 4) : Ah that sucks.
Goal kickers: Reds Cooper 68% (71 from 105), Crusaders: Carter 74% (64/87) Bequist 68% (28/41)
Drop Goals: Reds Cooper 4 from 7, Genia 0/2. Crusaders Carter 1/3, Berquist 1/4, Ellis 1/2, Fotalti’i 0/1
Reds on average (super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 9.6 pens (7); 5.0 pens at ruck (12); 12.4 missed tackles (13)
Crusaders on average (super15 rank 1=most/highest) per game: 10.6 pens (3); 6.3 pens at ruck (3); 13.9 missed tackles (6)
Reds v Crusaders Ref stats: B Lawrence forced to award, per game average 18.8 pens (10.9 at ruck) 4.1 scrum resets & 3.7 scrum infringes
Reds v Crusaders Ref stats: B Lawrence 14 (1=most/highest) from 17 refs to award spens for ruck and offside, 4th for scrum pens
Wish it was the sharks playing today… But that is just wishfull thinking 🙁
Kick-off!
GO REDS!!!!
Not one of my teams but gee I’m worked up for this game… Listern to that noise in the stadium…. Great stuff 🙂
The guys look clean and fresh.. Oh ja only playing for 2minutes now…
Sounds like an exciting game. Reds must be involved. 😛
@KSA Shark © (Comment 13) : frantic stuff…
No score yet after 13 mins.
Both teams running the ball. Reds looking dangerous.
Twice now saders penalized for throwing in not straight at the line outs…
Carter going at goal
Dan going for poles…
And misses 😉
He misses! 😯
@Ben (Comment 20) : snap!
Saders scrum just inside Reds 22
Crockett knocks on.
Reds 0 – 0 Saders
21 mins
Saders on attack for the last 7min now
Another knock gives Reds breathing space
Wow what a game….
Ground staff doing some gardening 🙂
Not straigt 3rd time for saders now
@Ben (Comment 24) : wa’s jy nou 😉
Penalty for reds
Cooper going at goal now.
Penalty over
Reds 3 – 0 Crusaders
30 minutes
Over!
Reds 3 – 0 Saders
32 mins
@franshark (Comment 29) : C’mon Bryce nail them for repeated offences. 😆 😉
@franshark (Comment 30) : I’m concentrating on the Rugga.
Dan Carter! Brilliant try!!!
@Ben (Comment 36) : 🙂 carter try
Conversion over
Reds 3 – 7 Crusaders
34 minutes
Great try Grubber and gather to score under the poles.
Reds 3 – 7 Saders
36 mins
Cooper to have another shot.
Cooper big mistake not going for the tackle, any thing can happen
Over!
Reds 6 – 7 Saders
38 mins
Penalty reds
Reds 6 – 7 Crusaders
38 minutes
HALF TIME
Reds 6 – 7 Crusaders
Great game so far!
C’mon Crusaders. A few more tries.
Same score HALF TIME
For those interested, the deciding ODI in Manchester…
Eng 75 for 0 loss after 10 overs vs Sri lanka 😉
@Ben (Comment 45) : I missed the build up, is Chris Jack on the bench?….
2nd 40 on the go….
Saders butcherd try oppertunity.. Maitland could not hold on…
@franshark (Comment 49) : Didn’t see the teams
Some mistakes starting to set in for the Reds. Digby knocks in he’s own 22
Crusader over the line. Going to the TMO
TMO for saders try
No clear evidence off ball on ground. No try! Crusaders scrum on Reds 5m line.
Inconclusive 5 meters scrum…
Reset scrum
Penalty. Going for poles.
Go Reds!!
Penalty saders
Reds 6 – 10 Crusaders
48 min
Carter slots it.
Reds 6 – 10 Crusaders
49 mins
HI SW 🙂
GO REDS GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
Try Digby! Awesomeness!!!
Trrrrryyyyyy
YES thats the way tryyyyyyyyyyy reds
Ioanie not touched
Great step to leave a defender hanging. Try converted.
Reds 13 – 10 Crusaders
51 mins
@chaz (Comment 66) : lucky charm for the reds 🙂
Reds!!!!
Reds sniff some blood. On attack
Thats was close the REDS are on fire 😆
and the crowds are going mad
Reds 5 meters out
I am bummed I am missing this game. Stupid house hunting.
@franshark (Comment 69) :
Saders breath throu penalty
@lostfish (Comment 74) : enjoy hope you get what you are looking for 😉
Penalty Crusaders. Going for poles
Carter penalty 44 meters
Reds can’t come sofar and not win this 1st S15
Carter slots it.
Reds 13 – 13 crusaders
56 mins
Its all square
ok what happens if a draw 10 min each side 😕
24 minutes to go and we start from scratch
@chaz (Comment 83) : yes and then sudden death
come on REDS get in there
yes but did i get a blow from the ref 😕
Bryce HAS to make his mark, denies the Reds a try
Reds on attack. Lineout 5m out
Reds 5 meters out again
@franshark (Comment 85) :
well lets hope the REDS make it 🙂
thats the way REDS grab him in the maul
I have to say it again: What a game 🙂
18 min to go
Saders destroy the Reds scrum!
Crusaders turn the scrum and wins the ball
@franshark (Comment 92) : this is what i say to a very good and full of fun game the whole lot is full of the energy
@Ben (Comment 94) : looks like we’re watching the same game 🙂
GOOOOOOOOOOOOOO REDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSs
helpppppppppppp him gooooooooooooooooooooooooooo
and a try yes
Will Genia. Magnificent TRY!!!
Redsssss Tryyyyyyyyy
Genia Tryyyyyyyyy
Conversion missed.
Reds 18 – 13 Crusaders
70 mins
hold up REDS the team can make it
this is the time when the nerves start to eat up the supporters
9 minutes good golie
8 mins to go
go redsssssssssssssss
7 minutes to go, Reds penalty
Penalty Reds. Going for goal. Very tough kick though.
Another reds try… For SB 🙂
that saders player would of been OFF side if he got the reds play right 😕
YES COOPER get it Over please
shit missed that PK 😥
Misses
4 mins to go
Get them REDS
Viva REDS Viva REDS is all we hear
Saders have it… That’s the ball
3 mins
Flag…..
Penalty Saders
2 minutes penalty reds
2 mins get going REDS time is running out off sides saders
REDS BALLS yes yes use it play for time
Saders 10 meter line
1 min left.
1 minute and saders get a scrum
1 min left and REDS Have the 1st S 15 Trophy
shit stop himmmmmmmmmmmm
Timed up
REDS GET THAT BALL and kick it out 👿
Well done Reds!
YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS
All over! FULL TIME
Reds 18 – 13 Crusaders
REeeeeeeEdS
Well done REDS
Good for the Reds – they’ve come a long way – but it grates with me that John O’Neill got what he wanted. Would have been nice for Christchurch though, after all they’ve been through.
Well done Reds. Great team
love it well done REDS!!!!
Cheers SW until next time
WOW! What game. Weldone Reds….great for AUstralian Rugby.
@chaz (Comment 77) : Thanks but we gave up for the day. It’s 35 today and too hot to be running around looking at houses.
Yay Reds!!
good work Reds
Well done Reds!
And the end seems so “stomp”… 😥
Well done Reds.
Great win by the Reds. Im very chuffed for them and their fans. They have come a long, long way since the 2007 ninety odd point stuffing they got. Great stuff.
Great win by the Reds. Before the game I didn’t really support any team but I always tend to support the underdogs. I’ve really liked the rugby the Reds have played all season and they have proved that you don’t always need to be big and experienced(older) but you need guts and determination to win a big game like that.
Fantastic stuff Reds!