Jet-heeled winger Rod Davies exploded with a hat-trick of tries as the Queensland Reds stormed into the Super Rugby final with an imperious 30-13 victory over the Auckland Blues yesterday.
Davies scored his first with a 70m dash after a brilliant interception in the 12th minute.
He then sent a baying crowd of 45,000 at Lang Park into ecstasy by completing his treble with two more searing runs in a 10-minute burst after the break that knocked the wind out of the Blues and ensured the Reds would host the final.
Photo: AFP
“Tonight was just unbelievable,” said an elated Davies, the first Reds player to notch a hat-trick of tries.
Queensland continued their fairytale turnaround under coach Ewen McKenzie, who in two seasons has taken the team from the bottom of the southern hemisphere competition to one win shy of their first title in the tournament’s professional era.
Although coming into the match full of steam after their crushing playoff win over the New South Wales Waratahs last week, the Blues were kept scoreless for 40 minutes, before lock Chris Lowrey grabbed their only try.
A penalty goal from inside center Luke McAlister shortly after the break trimmed the deficit to 15-10, but the New Zealand side shot themselves in the foot with handling errors and were powerless to stop the surging red tide led by the marauding Quade Cooper.
Despite slotting only four of his eight kicks the Wallabies flyhalf was at his mesmerizing best, having a hand in three tries and booting a drop-goal five minutes from time.
The home side were given a flying start by Davies, who pounced on an errant pass by fellow winger Lachie Munro and bolted 70m to plant the ball between the posts.
Cooper converted the try, before setting up the second for the Reds with a breathtaking run that raised the roof.
After taking a clearing kick, the 22-year-old brushed away the hapless Munro with an arrogant fend-off, then charged down the right wing feinting two passes, before slipping a ball to inside center Ben Tapuai, who caught the ball by his bootlaces and crossed at the right corner.
“We were just having fun. Having fun with your mates is what it’s all about,” Cooper said.
He almost conjured a third for the Reds minutes later with another dashing run down the right, feeding Scott Higginbotham with an inside pass hurled from behind his back, but the flanker was stopped meters from the try line.
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