O’Connor seals win for Reds, Crusaders unbeaten

FLY-HALF James O’Connor kicked a late drop-goal to secure the Queensland Reds a 31-24 win over Western Force on Friday.

The Force, back playing against Australia’s top professional sides three years after being axed from Super Rugby, lost their second successive match but had their opponents on the back foot for much of the night.

The Force flew out of the blocks with tries from Jack McGregor and Byron Ralston in a three-minute burst before the Reds took control with a three-try blitz from Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Jock Campbell and Taniela Tupou.

Ralston kept the Force in touch with a try two minutes before half-time but winger Filipo Daugunu answered with another four minutes after the break.

A dominant lineout drive by the Force led to Andrew Ready rumbling over the line at the back of a rolling maul. However, former Red Jono Lance struck the post with his conversion attempt, giving the Reds breathing space before O’Connor’s late score.

Last week, Force were 14-0 ahead against the Waratahs with a try from winger Byron Raltson and three penalties from scrumhalf Ian Prior. However, the Waratahs scored 23 unanswered points through tries from prop Angus Bell and Tom Staniforth and the boot of Will Harrison to seal the win.

In New Zealand, the Crusaders mounted a furious fightback to defeat the Blues 26-15 in Christchurch.

Mark Telea’s early try put the Blues ahead but the Crusaders kicked into gear after the break following a controversial Rieko Ioane try for the Blues from a quick tap penalty that appeared to have been wrongly awarded by referee Paul Williams.

Richie Mo’unga’s boot had kept the Crusaders in reach before scrum-half Mitchell Drummond crossed to give them a 16-15 lead and Will Jordan finished off the scoring with his fifth try in three games.

TJ Perenara, Kobus Van Wyk and Devan Flanders crossed for tries as the Hurricanes defeated the Highlanders 17-11 in Wellington to seal back-toback wins. Aaron Smith scored for the Highanders who have not won since they upset the Chiefs in the opening round.