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Thriller ... Quade Cooper kicks the Reds to victory against the Blues. Source: Darren England / News Limited
A heavily fatigued Reds outfit hung on for a gutsy 12-11 Super Rugby win over the Blues on Friday night to complete a first Kiwi sweep by an Australian side.
| 0 Tries 1 | |
|---|---|
| Jackson Willison 31' | |
| 4 Penalties2 | |
| Quade Cooper 11' | Chris Noakes 13' |
| Quade Cooper 16' | Albert Nikoro 26' |
| Quade Cooper 29' | |
| Quade Cooper 75' | |
In-form five-eighth Quade Cooper kicked four penalty goals, including a high-pressure wide attempt in the 75th minute, to steal the four points from the impressive Aucklanders at Suncorp Stadium.
| Australia Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reds | 7 | 2 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 37 |
| 2 | Brumbies | 6 | 1 | 2 | 84 | 3 | 35 |
| 3 | Waratahs | 4 | 4 | 0 | -33 | 1 | 25 |
| 4 | Melbourne Rebels | 2 | 6 | 0 | -96 | 3 | 19 |
| 5 | Western Force | 2 | 7 | 0 | -46 | 4 | 16 |
| New Zealand Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
| 1 | Blues | 4 | 4 | 0 | 48 | 8 | 32 |
| 2 | Chiefs | 5 | 3 | 0 | 71 | 6 | 30 |
| 3 | Hurricanes | 5 | 4 | 0 | -5 | 4 | 28 |
| 4 | Crusaders | 4 | 4 | 0 | 52 | 6 | 26 |
| 5 | Highlanders | 0 | 8 | 0 | -86 | 2 | 10 |
| South Africa Conference | W | L | D | PD | BP | Pts | |
| 1 | Bulls | 5 | 3 | 0 | 35 | 4 | 28 |
| 2 | Stormers | 4 | 4 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 28 |
| 3 | Cheetahs | 6 | 3 | 0 | -2 | 3 | 27 |
| 4 | Sharks | 5 | 3 | 0 | 51 | 3 | 27 |
| 5 | Southern Kings | 2 | 5 | 1 | -90 | 1 | 15 |
McKenzie praised his tired side's character in soaking up 142 tackles, as well as the Blues' attacking nous.
"After 30 minutes, I thought they were playing our game plan and they did a really good job of it,'' he said.
"It was really hard work and we never touched the ball. So we did well to hang in there ... and not let the score blow out.
"It was difficult circumstances and we've played the three top teams in the last three weeks and come away with two wins and a draw so we're happy with that.''
The Blues scored the only try of the match and expertly ran the tired Reds around the park. Queensland were feeling the affects of last week's energy-sapping 19-19 draw with the Brumbies after a short six-day turnaround.
But Sir John Kirwan's side failed to deliver the killer blow in the frenetic and highly physical encounter in front of an appreciative crowd of 31,050.
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Kirwan's pride in his young Blues' effort had him speaking like a winning coach post-match, despite lamenting their inability to take a drop-goal attempt to snatch the win.
"We talked about a Test match all week and this is one of the hardest places to come and win so I'm really incredibly proud of how the guys played,'' he said.
"We really matured tonight and I think it showed we can compete against anyone and that's really important for this young side to understand.''
Queensland continued to come up with last-ditch tackles and saves, none more important than Will Genia's in-goal effort ahead of Francis Saili with 15 minutes left and the visitors leading 11-9.
Cooper grabbed the chance to kick his side home when Blues skipper Ali Williams was penalised for swinging around the side of the Reds' driving maul and he duly delivered.
It was in stark contrast to an easy miss - his only from five attempts - just 20 minutes earlier which would have also given the home side a one-point lead.
Then errors by Williams and fellow All Blacks veteran Keven Mealamu in the Queensland quarter allowed the Reds off the hook in a tense finish to a heavyweight battle.
The win gives them the provisional competition lead and a 4-0 clean sweep of the Kiwi teams they play this home-and-away campaign, becoming only the second team behind the 2010 Stormers to pull off the achievement.
After being the first Reds side not to take a penalty attempt in a Super Rugby clash against the Brumbies, they turned a new leaf by taking all shots on offer - including three in the first half for a 9-6 lead.
It was after Cooper slotted his third three-pointer for a 9-6 lead when the Blues struck from the restart, stealing the ball and then probing patiently before impressive five-eighth Chris Noakes helped put centre Jackson Willison over out wide.
The Blues' intentions were apparent from the kick-off with the visitors going 22 phases before attempting an attacking grubber kick in the Reds quarter.
Queensland were content to hold their line and defend in the hope of counter-attacking off errors.
They had their try-scoring chances with three-quarters Rod Davies, Digby Ioane and Anthony Faingaa all making first-half breaks but again lacked precision to finishing their opportunities.
Cooper was again sharp and creative in attack but it was his strong body-check on dangerous centre Rene Ranger, and other scrambling defence, which would have most pleased Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
Winger Ioane put a dramatic week with his contract dispute behind him to play strongly but it was the Blues' backs who saw far more of the ball.
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