Les Kiss, the soon-to-be Wallabies coach, has momentarily quelled his critics by leading the Queensland Reds to a surprising 31-26 victory over the champion Crusaders. This win comes after the Reds suffered two heavy defeats, conceding 94 points across those games.
Under pressure, Kiss managed to motivate his team to perform for Filipo Daugunu, celebrating his 100th Super Rugby match. Test flyhalf Carter Gordon also made his mark by scoring a notable try after an impressive kick from Wallabies captain Harry Wilson, bringing excitement to the match. Unfortunately, Gordon later sustained a knee injury, rendering him on crutches during the post-match proceedings.
Despite Gordon’s injury concerns, the Reds will celebrate this momentous win, marking their first victory over the Crusaders at home since the epic 2011 grand final. Currently, the Reds sit fifth on the ladder, three points ahead of the sixth-placed Crusaders, which puts them in a strong position as the top six teams qualify for finals.
Daugunu’s pivotal 74th-minute try broke a 19-19 tie, but the Reds’ kicker missed the conversion, leaving the match open for the Crusaders. Yet, in a critical moment near the end, a mishap allowed Reds player Louis Werchon to secure a long-range try, sealing their victory. The Crusaders did manage a consolation try from Chay Fihaki after the final whistle, earning them a losing bonus point.
Both teams struggled with errors in the humid conditions, contributing to an unusually high turnover rate of 23 balls each. The Reds managed to make the most of their possession, amassing 596 metres with the ball, while the Crusaders, missing key player Will Jordan, only managed 282 metres and demonstrated a lack of offensive assertiveness.
In the aftermath of this match, confusion and frustration were evident amongst the Crusaders’ players and coaching staff over missed opportunities, particularly in the first half, where they squandered a potential try after a quick tap by halfback Noah Hotham. The Reds capitalised on these mistakes, leading 14-12 at halftime.
Despite the Reds’ underwhelming previous performances, they showed resilience and urgency in this match, a refreshing change that Kiss hopes to build upon as the competition progresses. With the Reds enjoying a bye next week, they will aim to maintain their momentum as they seek to improve their standings in the league. Meanwhile, the Crusaders face questions about their ability to win without their star players as they prepare for their next match against the Force.