The Crusaders secured their home Semi-Final after beating the Reds in Brisbane by 21 point to 27. The Crusaders only needed a bonus point to secure their home Semi-final but they went home with five points.
With Six minutes remaining the Crusaders were six points down and had not yet scored their bonus point when Reds No.9 Ben Lucas was sent to the bin to join Digby Ioane who was already in the bin.
Using the numbers the Crusaders sent over Ali Williams for their bonus point try and the conversion took them into the lead.
The first-placed Crusaders trailed 14-8 at halftime but two late tries saw them home.
Winger Kade Poki scored an early Crusaders try before Reds captain James Horwill did the same for the home side in the 12th minute.
Winger Peter Hynes scored the second Reds try, giving them a 14-5 lead.
Retiring flanker David Croft made a break from within his quarter and from the next phase Morgan Turinui bounced a pass to Hynes, who swerved past Poki and then ran over fellow winger Sean Maitland.
"It was hard to swallow but I'm extremely proud of my team, they really battled against it," said Reds coach Phil Mooney.
"The courage was outstanding, everyone had a crack and it was outstanding."
Pen -
Con - Clinton Schifcofske (2)
Cards - Digby Ioane 65 (yellow),Ben Lucas 73 (yellow)
Pen - Stephen Brett
Con - Dan Carter (2)
Reds vs Crusaders in Brisbane
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Assistant Referee: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Simon Moore (Australia)
TMO: TBC (Australia)
Assessor: TBC (Australia)
Reds(from fullback):
Chris Latham, Clinton Schifcofske, Morgan Turinui, Berrick Barnes, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper, Ben Lucas, Leroy Houston, David Croft, Poutasi Luafutu, James Horwill (c), Van Humphries, Dayna Edwards, Stephen Moore, Ben Coutts.
15. Leon MacDonald,14. Kade Poki ,13. Casey Laulala ,12. Tim Bateman ,11. Sean Maitland ,10. Stephen Brett ,9. Kahn Fotuali’i ,8. Mose Tuiali’i ,7. Richard McCaw (captain) ,6. Kieran Read ,5. Ross Filipo ,4. Brad Thorn ,3. Greg Somerville ,2. Ti’i Paulo ,1. Wyatt Crockett
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn ,17. Ben Franks ,18. Ali Williams ,19. George Whitelock ,20. Andrew Ellis ,21. Daniel Carter ,22. Caleb Ralph
Super14.com
