Defending Super Rugby champions Crusaders earned their 18th consecutive victory when they defeated the Reds 12-22 in Brisbane.
The Crusaders started like the champions they are, scoring their first try in the 7th minute. After securing clean line-out ball, they built through ten phases before centre Jack Goodhue chipped a superb cross kick to waiting winger Byron Ennor who scored.
The visitors doubled their lead just minutes later when they broke out of their own 22m via Goodhue, who put full-back Will Jordan away to dot down in the corner.
The Reds finally hit back via captain Samu Kerevi, who crashed over after a line-out deep in the Crusaders half.
Bryce Hegarty converted the try and the home side went down the tunnel just 10-7 down despite being dominated in territory and possession by the mercurial New Zealand outfit.
Early in the second stanza, a powerful line-out drive saw lock Whetu Douglas fall over the line for the Crusaders and Richie Mo'unga finally found his kicking boots to slot the conversion, taking them to a 17-7 lead.
Under constant pressure, the Reds went down a man after Lukhan Salakaia-Loto was yellow carded for repeated offences. This lead to another pushover try for the Crusaders, with Jordan Taufua bagging the fiver.
Liam Wright would go over under the poles for the Reds but the try was disallowed upon review, with JP Smith holding back a defender to create the gap.
But the home team did finally cross the whitewash once more for a consolation try, with veteran Scott Higginbotham crashing over in the corner for a good team try.
Reds 12 - Tries: Samu Kerevi, Scott Higginbotham; Conversions: Bryce Hegarty
Crusaders 22 - Tries: Braydon Ennor, Will Jordan, Whetu Douglas, Jordan Tafua; Conversions: Richie Mo'unga
Teams
Reds: 15 Bryce Hegarty, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Samu Kerevi (captain), 11 Sefa Naivalu, 10 Hamish Stewart, 9 Moses Sorovi, 8 Angus Scott-Young, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5 Harry Hockings, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Feao Fotuaika. Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Caleb Timu, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Duncan Paia’aua, 23 Isaac Lucas.
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Braydon Ennor, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Quinten Strange, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody. Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 David Havili.
Referee: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Assistant referees: AJ Jacobs (South Africa), Damon Murphy (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
