RECAP: The Reds have delivered two killer blows for a 31-26 victory over the Crusaders.
Filipo Daugunu and Louis Werchon scored two tries in the final ten minutes to break the 19-all deadlock after a tense second half.
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Daugunu was excellent as he celebrated 100 Super Rugby games, proving the spark in a Reds backline that opened up an early lead.
The Crusaders kept in touch for the majority of the game, but the Reds did enough for their first win over the Crusaders sat home since the 2011 Super Rugby Final.
The concern for the Reds is a knee injury to Carter Gordon, spotted on cruches after he came off in the second half.
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Reds 31-26: Chay Fihkai gets a double as quick hands delivers the winger the try.
It's a crucial score for the Crusaders even with the game wrapped up, securing the losing bonus point.
Reds 31-19: Louis Werchon all but wins it for the Reds as the scrumhalf races away for the try.
The pressure from the Reds forces the mistake from the Crusaders as they hunt for a winner, with the scrumhalf there to collect the ball and outpace Rivez Reihana to the line.
Reds 24-19: Fraser McReight does what captains do and gets the big turnover.
The Reds scramble for their line and bring down the Crusaders 15 metres out, with the flanker quick over the ball for the pilfer.
Reds 24-19: Filipo Daugunu drags the Reds in front with a massive five-pointer.
Daugunu has been excellent all night, and he finishes off the try after several phases on the Crusaders' line, picking and going for the line.
Harry McLaughlin-Phillips can't convert, and it's a five-point game.
19-all: A push off the ball gives the Reds the penalty and the chance to press the tryline.
Superb touch finder from Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has them right on the five metre line after the penalty was 45 metres out.
19-all: The Crusaders are trying to play territory but the kick from Louie Chapman doesn't kick right and goes dead in goal.
It gives the Reds a chance just insde their half for some valuable field position and possession, advancing the ball 30 metres before getting another scrum.
19-all: The mistakes are seriously taking over this game as the teams looked gassed.
The ball seems like a bar of soap as the humidity is taking its effect along with the expansive style of play from both teams.
19-all: The pressure of this game only builds as the Crusaders enjoy their share of possession.
A free kick inside the Reds 30 is instantly negated by a knock-on as the pace of this game is starting to take its toll.
19-all: George Bell powers his way over at the back of the rolling maul.
It takes a steady approach from the visitors, but they eventually find the line as the number-less Bell finds the check.
Reds 19-12: The Crusaders are starting to build pressure inside the Reds half.
David Havili puts the kick in-behind for a nice 50-22 to set up a prime attacking opportunity.
Reds 19-12: Carter Gordon's luckless run continues as the flyhalf is jammed awkwardly in a tackle.
He is taken off with what appears to be a knee injury as the Reds defend their line to force the error inside their 22.
Reds 19-12: Jock Campbell and Filipo Daugunu combine for a super effort that is just halted by the Crusaders.
Daugunu breaks clear from nothing, with Campebll pinging the ears back to the line.
But the grounding looks suspect and there's a reason for that - the fullback bobbles the ball and it's excellent defensive work from the visitors to stop the try.
Reds 19-12: The Reds start on fire as Tim Ryan dives on Kalani Thomas' grubber.
The scrumhalf breaks through the line and grubbers ahead, with Josh Flook and Taha Kemara colliding as they collect the ball, leaving Ryan there to dot it down.
Reds 14-12: A great set piece play from the Reds puts Josh Flook inside space on the Crusaders 22.
He has Carter Gordon unmarked on the inside, but can't find him and drops the ball.
Reds 14-12: Both these teams are flinging the ball wildly as it's Tim Ryan's return to try something special.
He burns down the wing and nearly turns Chay Fihaki inside out, with his wild pass inside collected by the Crusaders.
The visitors then try their own counter-attack, with Sevu Reece kicking out on the full.
Reds 14-12: Noah Hotham, what are you doing?
The Crusaders scrumhalf quick taps after they win a penalty five out and drops it into his opposition man Kalani Thomas.
Filipo Daugunu and Josh Flook almost pull off some magic but the ball inside is about two metres forward and is called back, giving the Crusaders the scrum 30 metres out .
Reds 14-12: The Reds are under serious pressure after their lineout five metres out is dropped.
The hosts ended up collecting a loose ball and racing away but it's clear advantage was not taken.
Reds 14-12: Josh Flook goes darting down the sidelines, but it's coming back for a forward pass.
The Reds fans are furious after shots of Nick Bloomfield going head over heels onto his dome is unpenalised, with referee Angus Gardner saying his momentum carries him.
Reds 14-12: The Reds clutch up and nab a crucial ruck penalty after earlier Filipo Daugunu is pinged.
Matt Faessler comes up with the goods and it's backed up with a near 50-22 for Carter Gordon.
Reds 14-12: Lovely work through the hands delivers the try for Chay Fihaki.
They create the overlap and the space after a daring run from David Havili to the line, with Fihaki unmarked in the corner ready to collect and scpre.
Reds 14-5: Right, how do I describe this?
It starts with a Filipo Daugunu break, who tries to throw inside to Harry Wilson, but is intercepted by the Crusaders.
The Crusaders then throw the ball back inside to Wilson, who thinks kick and snaps the ball on his left on half-way
Carter Gordon shows his pace and wins the race to the ball for a bonkers try.
Reds 7-5 Fraser McReight does it all himself as he squeezes through from the maul.
McReight sheers off to the left into space as the maul starts to turn, pushing his way to the line.
Crusaders 5-0: Kalani Thomas thinks he's got a try but Angus Gardner says otherwise.
It goes to the TMO, and it shows Thomas putting the ball on the line, but there's a knee on the ground, so he's off his feet, and it's a penalty for the Crusaders.
Crusaders 5-0: The Reds are hunting for a response, with Hunter Paimsai taking down right at the line by a clutch ankles tackle two metres out.
They were working under penalty advantage and kick for the line.
Crusaders 5-0: Christian Lio-Willie opens the scoring in the corner as the Cursaders start fast.
Taha Kemara makes a nice dash to leave the Reds chasing in defence, with the long ball from Johnny McNicholl finding the number eight.
The Crusaders get this game underway as the Reds collect the deep kick off inside their 22.
Filipo Daugunu leads the Reds out with his young child as the winger celebrates 100 games in Super Rugby
Tries: McReight, Gordon, Ryan, Daugunu, Werchon
Cons: Campbell 2/3, McLaughlin-Phillips 1/2
Pens:
Tries: Lio-Willie, Fihaki 2, Bell
Cons: Kemara 1/2, Reihana 2/2
Pens:
Welcome to Rugby.com.au's coverage of the Queensland Reds hosting the Crusaders in Brisbane.
A big chance for either side to further their finals hopes, going at least eight points clear of seventh place.
The Reds has a lot of motivation, with the 2011 title winning team in the stands.
REDS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Matt Faessler, Nick Bloomfield, Seru Uru, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Joe Brial, Fraser McReight (c), Harry Wilson, Kalani Thomas, Carter Gordon, Tim Ryan, Hunter Paisami, Josh Flook, Filipo Daugunu, Jock Campbell
Replacements: Richie Asiata, Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, Zane Nonggorr, Hamish Muller, Vaiuta Latu, Louis Werchon, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Isaac Henry
CRUSADERS (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Fletcher Newell, Antonio Shalfoon, Jamie Hannah, Dom Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Leciester Fainga'anuku, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: Manumaua Leitu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Johnny Lee, Louie Chapman, Rivez Reihana, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Angus Gardner
Assistant Referees: George Myers, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Aaron Paterson
The Reds' clash with the Crusaders will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport.
Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 7:00 pm with kickoff expected at 7:35 pm.
