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Crusaders crush Reds in Super statement
By AAP
Australia's Super Rugby flag bearers have been embarrassed by their New Zealand opposites, the Crusaders further exposing the gulf between the nations in a 63-28 thumping of the Queensland Reds.
The flogging completed another perfect round for New Zealand opponents over Australian outfits, the score now reading 10-0 in a deflating fortnight after the highs of the Reds' dramatic domestic title win over the Brumbies.
Where the Reds fumbled and were shunted back in tackles, the Crusaders were razor-sharp, clear-minded and possessed a top gear that proved far too much for the Reds.
Form No.10 Richie Mo'unga did as he pleased for the visitors at Suncorp Stadium, scoring three tries to help the Crusaders post their highest total against the Reds and ensure the 2011 Super Rugby final loss to them remains their most recent.
Brad Thorn's side started promisingly, with Taniela Tupou spilling the ball over the line in the second minute.
But 12 minutes later i t was 21-0, David Havili coming from nowhere to intercept and set up Cullen Grace after Mo'unga and Sevu Reece had already crossed.
Mo'unga ran in his second before Tate McDermott scampered over to briefly stop the rot, with Reds backrower Harry Wilson describing their efforts as "embarrassing" to the broadcast as he walked to the sheds.
They looked to steady in the second half but Reece exploited a bizarre rule to steal back possession, jumping from well outside the field of play to mark the ball and land back in-field.
He then ran onto a pin-point Havili cross-field kick, the lead swelling to 49-7 with two more tries before the 60th minute.
Wilson did is best to inspire the Reds, dummying as he raced down the wing to score then two minutes later charging down a kick and flicking a pass over his should for Suliasi Vunivalu to score for the third time in two games.
At 49-21 the Crusaders resumed normal service, although the Reds added another consolatio n try and Vunivalu twice came close in a confident pe rformance that would give Wallabies coach Dave Rennie something to cheer.
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Latest Comments
What’s the bet that if Ireland lose we’ll have a bunch of people blaming Rob Kearney for it?
This might pizz the All Blacks off but it won’t make George Bell throw the ball any straighter or Rieko pass the ball to his wings more often.
Go to commentsNot if you look at where the increases are happening for NZR. Apparently the biggest increase in participation was in the junior ranks and has been attributed to the extra cash that tier has received from the private equity deal NZR signed. Clubs are reducing fees dramatically and thats bringing more into the clubs. Counties club had a 200% increase in enrollments for U7s as they made it free.
Yes NRL is always hanging around schoolboy rugby tho. I see the NRL as more of a threat at SR level where the fringe players are signing for either NRL or Japan etc.
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