The Queensland Reds put a week of drama and controversy behind them to beat the Western Force 18-6 yesterday and chalk up their first win of the Super XV season.
The Reds were thrashed 47-3 by the ACT Brumbies in the opening round last week and things went from bad to worse in the lead-up to yesterday’s clash against the rapidly improving Force.
Several key Queensland players were ruled out and fullback Karmichael Hunt was stood down after being summoned to court to face allegations of supplying cocaine.
The match almost did not go ahead because of Cyclone Marcia, but was given approval. Then just minutes before kickoff, flyhalf James O’Connor was ruled out with an injury.
Despite all the distractions, the Reds somehow managed to post a convincing win, scoring two unanswered tries against their fellow Australians, who were on a high after beating the defending champions, the New South Wales Waratahs, last weekend.
“It’s a bit of a cliche, but it’s just about character,” Reds stand-in captain Will Genia said in a post-match interview. “We’re moving forward after what was a very tumultuous week last week.”
CRUSADERS 26, HIGHLANDERS 20
The Canterbury Crusaders withstood a late fightback to beat the Otago Highlanders yesterday and register their first win of the Super XV season.
The Crusaders, who suffered a shock loss at home to the Melbourne Rebels in last weekend’s opening round, showed better form on the road.
The visitors scored two tries in the first half, through Scott Barrett and Johnny McNichol, to lead 20-7 at the break after Aaron Smith had given the Highlanders an early lead with the first touchdown.
The Crusaders extended their lead to 23-7 with a penalty from Colin Slade in the 51st minute, but spent the last half an hour on the back foot as the Highlanders took control of the South Island derby.
Malakai Fekitoa barged over on the hour and Lima Sopoaga booted a penalty eight minutes from time to give the home side a chance of snatching victory, before a late penalty from Slade gave the Crusaders the breathing space needed to record the win.
“It was a true southern derby and we’re very happy to come away with the points at the end,” Canterbury captain Matt Todd said in a televised interview. “There’s still plenty to work on, but it’s a good step from last week.”
The Highlanders, who had a bye in the first round, collected a bonus point for losing by less than seven points when Sopoaga landed a angled penalty after the siren.
“We were a bit rusty first up... so we’ve got a few things to work every point you can get in this competition,” Highlanders skipper Ben Smith said.
HURRICANES 17, BULLS 13
Quick thinking from winger Julian Savea helped the Hurricanes to back-to-back victories in South Africa for the first time since 2006 at Loftus Versfeld on Friday.
Trailing by one point, the visitors won a penalty 5m from the try-line with 15 minutes left and instead of waiting for the kick, Savea backed his power to take a fast tap and barge over with the Bulls defense slow in reorganizing.
The Hurricanes’ other points came from the boot of flyhalf Beauden Barrett, who kicked four penalties.
Opposite number Handre Pollard scored all of the home team’s points with a first-half try, a conversion and two penalties.
Loose forward Grant Hattingh thought he had scored a winning try three minutes from time for the Bulls, but inexplicably allowed his left arm to drift into touch just before touching down in the corner.
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