Rewa topples Suva Wobbly scrum costs Reds

A WOBBLY scrum has cost an audacious Queensland Reds in their Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final defeat to the Crusaders.

The hosts prevailed 37-15 in Christchurch on Friday night, ending a Reds season crippled by constant key injuries that contributed to a 0-6 record against New Zealand teams.

But the Crusaders were made to work for an 11th straight head-to-head win, Reds five-eighth Lawson Creighton missing a penalty kick from 40 metres out, almost directly in front, that would have put them up 18-16 with 30 minutes to play.

At that point the Reds were daring to dream of breaking a 19-game losing run away from home against New Zealand opposition, let alone notch their first win in Christchurch since 1999.

But the set piece let them down, the Crusaders preying on it and eventually breaking the game open when Richie Mounga scored from another scrum penalty.

They iced their semifinal passage when Sevu Reece finished a slick 80-metre move started by hot-footed fullback Will Jordan.

Reds co-captain Tate McDermott was badly concussed during that sequence, while earlier in the half All Blacks hopeful Ethan Blackadder left the field with a suspected broken wrist.

Those injuries were a nod to a brutal, high-intensity game that the Reds – other than in the scrum – matched the powerhouse side.

Heavily involved winger Filipo Daugunu had arguably his best night of the season, scoring off a slick line-out move and lovely short pass from Creighton to begin the second half.

The Reds’ only won half of their scrums and gave away nine penalties – many of them lazy or ill-disciplined – to two in the first half.

But still it was only an eight-point margin at the break, a Will Jordan knockon in the lead-up denying the hosts a bonus try from a missed Reds line-out after the halftime siren had sounded.

A faulty Crusaders lineout led to the Reds’ early try, Harry Hoopert with fantastic hands and Jordan Petaia busting the line to set up Suliasi Vunivalu.

The flying winger had plenty of work to do though, fending off one tackler then riding two more as he slid into the corner successfully.

The Crusaders scored first when Will Jordan rolled over, but it was otherwise penalties that built their lead in a fiery, highstakes atmosphere.

REWA turned the odds in their favour in what is likely the biggest upset of this season beating Suva 24-21.

In the first round of competition, Suva beat Rewa 49-0 at the Burebasaga Primary School ground but it was a different story at Albert

Park yesterday.

Rewa halfback Vilikesa Seru registered the first five points for the visitors two minutes into the game with an unsuccessful conversion by fullback Saula Lavena.

Suva then replied through two successful penalties by winger Setareki Raoba to lead 6-5.

Rewa extended its lead with a try to flanker Mosese Volavola with a successful conversion by fly half Peni Delana. The visitors led 12-6.

Raoba closed the first half with another penalty for the Capital City side.

Rewa led 12-9 at halftime. Suva shot off the blocks in the second half with a try to fly half Jeke Suguturaga with an unsuccessful conversion by Raoba. The hosts were in from 14-12.

Suva’s replacement lock Apisai Senileba also scored a try for the home side to keep their hopes alive with a successful conversion from Raoba as they extended their lead to 21-12.

But it was not enough as Rewa rained in two tries to winger Vilivo Deku and lock Kinijoji Lagilagi with fullback Saula Lavena nailing a conversion.