The Queensland Reds have snapped a 25-year drought in Christchurch, holding on to beat the Crusaders 33-28 on Saturday afternoon.
With the scores locked at 21-all midway through the second half, Harry Wilson charged David Havili’s attempted clearing kicking away and picked up the scraps to score after 61 minutes.
Then, Super Rugby rookie Tim Ryan continued his stellar start to his career by scoring his second try as he stormed onto a clever kick behind the Crusaders’ defence to score and give the Reds a 33-21 lead.
Sevu Reece hit back in the 74th minute to give the home crowd some late hope, but some last-ditched defence saw Les Kiss’ men seal a memorable win across the ditch.
“It’s massive,” Reds captain Liam Wright described the win.
“The boys really banded together after a season full of close losses like that. We knew if we could take it to them early, they would come back at points.
“Jeez, we did a great job to hold on, some big moments there by key players which is what we spoke about during the week. Just owning our moments. It’s a great feeling and a great tour to change it.”
Harry Wilson celebrates scoring the defining try against the Crusaders in the second half at Apollo Projects Stadium on May 4, 2024 in Christchurch. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
The victory was the Reds’ second upset over New Zealand opposition – and third win in total – this year, having knocked over the Chiefs and Highlanders at home. It also came off the back of their heartbreaking defeat to the Blues last week in Brisbane.
Wright, who has been a constant source of leadership for the Reds over the past six years, said the Reds had been taught some tough lessons in recent weeks about how to close out a win.
“We knew the physicality was a big part, that’s what you need playing away from home: physicality and set-piece,” he said.
“Our scrum really stood up against a good pack, as we saw at the end.
“And then just owning those individual moments. We had a real task focus on just doing our job and closing those small margins and trusting each other.”
The win saw the Reds leapfrog the Rebels, who they will host next week, and put pressure on the top four.
The loss was Rob Penney’s eighth of the season, with the Crusaders’ hopes of making the finals copping a blow. It means next week’s visit to Dunedin in the battle of the South Island is vitally important, with the Hurricanes three spots clear of the Crusaders in seventh on 19 points after their win over Moana Pasifika in Tonga earlier on Saturday.
More to come