Queensland Reds End 15-Year Losing Streak Against Crusaders
The Queensland Reds have finally broken a 15-year losing streak against the defending champion Crusaders, securing a hard-fought 31-26 victory at Suncorp Stadium. This win not only marks a significant milestone for the team but also keeps their hopes of making the Super Rugby Pacific finals alive.
However, the triumph came at a cost, as key playmaker Carter Gordon suffered a serious knee injury in the 44th minute of the match. The Wallabies’ No.10 contender left the field after a tough tackle and was later seen walking on crutches with his knee in a brace. Coach Les Kiss confirmed that Gordon will undergo scans to determine the extent of the injury.
Gordon’s absence is a major blow for the Reds, who are currently sitting at 5-3 in the standings and have three crucial games coming up against top-four teams. “I just had a chat with him, and he said he felt something after the contact,” Kiss said. “We’ll get some scans on that and see where it goes.”
Despite the setback, the Reds managed to end their long-standing losing streak against the Crusaders, a team they hadn’t beaten in Brisbane since the 2011 Super Rugby grand final. The current squad was cheered on by members of the 2011-winning team, who watched their successors bounce back from a heavy 42-19 loss to the Western Force in their previous game.
The match was far from straightforward, with the Crusaders putting up a strong fight despite the Reds’ dominance. However, late tries from winger Filipo Daugunu and substitute Louis Werchon proved decisive in securing the victory. These efforts helped the Reds solidify their position within the league’s top six.
Daugunu, celebrating his 100th competition appearance, delivered a standout performance, running for 120 metres and scoring a try. His contribution was instrumental in the Reds’ success.
On the other side, the Crusaders (4-4) find themselves in a precarious position regarding the finals. Despite some strong performances from players like Johnny McNicholl, who provided an assist and made a crucial try-saving tackle, the team struggled to finish matches effectively in the second half.
“We couldn’t really execute towards the end of the second half, and they just finished on top,” said Crusaders captain David Havili. “It’s disappointing to come over here and get the loss.”
The Crusaders took an early lead in the fifth minute when McNicholl passed to Christian Lio-Willie. However, the Reds responded quickly with tries from Fraser McReight and Carter Gordon, who capitalized on a kick from Harry Wilson.
The visitors equalized in the first half when Chay Fihaki scored following a maul, bringing the score to 14-12 at halftime.
In the second half, the Reds struck early when scrumhalf Kalani Thomas broke through and set up Tim Ryan for a try. The Crusaders responded with a try from hooker George Bell, but Daugunu extended the lead in the 74th minute.
With time running out, Werchon sealed the victory by picking up a loose ball and sprinting 50 metres for a try. Fihaki managed to cross the line in the dying moments to secure a losing bonus point for the Crusaders.
