The Crusaders reasserted their dominance in Super Rugby with a commanding 43-19 victory over the Queensland Reds in Christchurch. Running in six tries within the first 42 minutes, the home side capitalized on their opponent’s costly mistakes and lack of composure.
Queensland entered the match with confidence after breaking a 12-year drought in Christchurch last season, but their aggressive style backfired. Instead of controlled play, they frequently attempted to run the ball out of their own half, only to be punished by the relentless Crusaders. Co-captain Tate McDermott admitted that while there were bright moments, his team was ultimately its “own worst enemy.”
Despite flashes of brilliance from the Reds, including impressive plays from Josh Canham and Alex Hodgman, their errors proved too costly. Will Jordan scored twice just before halftime, giving the Crusaders a comfortable 29-7 lead. Harry Wilson’s try before the break provided some hope, but any chance of a comeback was quickly erased after halftime when Christian Lio-Willie pounced on a blocked kick to extend the lead to 36-14.
Reds winger Lachie Anderson added another try in the second half, but the Crusaders’ defensive line held firm. In the final moments, Levi Aumua sealed the victory with an 80th-minute try, converted by former Reds playmaker James O’Connor.
With the loss behind them, the Reds will look to regroup before facing the undefeated NSW Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium. McDermott emphasized the need for better ball security and decision-making, acknowledging that while the scoreboard looked harsh, many of the Reds’ mistakes were fixable.
