Reds end 15-year drought in Canberra
Source: Agencies |
March 6, 2011, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE Queensland Reds ground down the ACT Brumbies 31-25 in a workmanlike Super 15 performance yesterday to end 15 years without a win at Canberra Stadium.
Razor-sharp flyhalf Quade Cooper slotted home seven penalty goals and a wobbly drop goal in a 26-point game as the Reds staved off a late fightback to spoil Tony Rea's debut as Brumbies caretaker coach.
"We said at half-time, just to grind the game out, take the points on offer and just be patient and that was the key," said Cooper, who quashed the Brumbies' last-ditch attempt for a winning try by stealing the ball at the breakdown after the final whistle.
The Brumbies scored four tries to the Reds' one, and finished with a second bonus point for losing within seven points, but that was little consolation for the Canberra-based side which sacked coach Andy Friend midweek following its last-gasp, one-point loss to the Melbourne Rebels.
After being trounced by the New South Wales Waratahs last week, the Reds shelved their entertaining running game, stacking their bench with forward muscle and showing fierce resolve at the breakdown.
In Hamilton, New Zealand, All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald kicked 18 points as the Waikato Chiefs beat the Rebels 38-10.
Donald slotted four penalties and the conversions of two tries each to wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga to guide the Chiefs to their first home win in Super rugby in almost two years.
The Rebels were left with a 1-2 record, straddling a win over the Brumbies with defeats to the Waratahs and the Chiefs.
Neither side looked a major force in this year's tournament as they produced error-ridden performances in a match played in constant rain.
The Chiefs eventually exploited advantages of possession and territory to post their first home win in the Super 15, though with those advantages they should have won by more.
In a late match yesterday, South Africa's Sharks scored four tries to romp past the Western Force 39-12 in Perth, Western Australia.
Razor-sharp flyhalf Quade Cooper slotted home seven penalty goals and a wobbly drop goal in a 26-point game as the Reds staved off a late fightback to spoil Tony Rea's debut as Brumbies caretaker coach.
"We said at half-time, just to grind the game out, take the points on offer and just be patient and that was the key," said Cooper, who quashed the Brumbies' last-ditch attempt for a winning try by stealing the ball at the breakdown after the final whistle.
The Brumbies scored four tries to the Reds' one, and finished with a second bonus point for losing within seven points, but that was little consolation for the Canberra-based side which sacked coach Andy Friend midweek following its last-gasp, one-point loss to the Melbourne Rebels.
After being trounced by the New South Wales Waratahs last week, the Reds shelved their entertaining running game, stacking their bench with forward muscle and showing fierce resolve at the breakdown.
In Hamilton, New Zealand, All Blacks flyhalf Stephen Donald kicked 18 points as the Waikato Chiefs beat the Rebels 38-10.
Donald slotted four penalties and the conversions of two tries each to wingers Sitiveni Sivivatu and Lelia Masaga to guide the Chiefs to their first home win in Super rugby in almost two years.
The Rebels were left with a 1-2 record, straddling a win over the Brumbies with defeats to the Waratahs and the Chiefs.
Neither side looked a major force in this year's tournament as they produced error-ridden performances in a match played in constant rain.
The Chiefs eventually exploited advantages of possession and territory to post their first home win in the Super 15, though with those advantages they should have won by more.
In a late match yesterday, South Africa's Sharks scored four tries to romp past the Western Force 39-12 in Perth, Western Australia.
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