Queensland Reds: Super Rugby championship 2011 - Season Review
Queensland Reds, the second Australian side to win the Super Rugby trophy after the Brumbies, brought itself up from nothing to champions in 2011. The Australian derby displayed a well disciplined game-plan throughout the championship and finally got their
goal in an impressive final.
The Reds made their first entry into the playoff stages after a long struggle and won their first ever final of Super Rugby against the New Zealander top ladders Crusaders on July 9 after a nerve-wracking contest of 18-13.
The Reds had qualified for the semi-final of Super Rugby only one before in 2001 and for one complete decade they remained totally unimpressive. Jointly all the Australian sides had displayed an average performance in this century’s Super Rugby competitions.
In fact the Brumbies were the only side to win Super Rugby championship for Australia in 2002.
The Reds started off their Super Rugby season in a sluggish way and hardly secured their first win of the tournament against a weaker Western Force by 21-20 on February 19. At this stage, no one predicted that the rusty Reds could be the new champs.
Although the Reds had real depth in their forwards, backs, locks and props, they were still struggling with their defence in the early games. The side recorded a stunning victory over South African derby Cheetahs in their third outgoing and looked for the
first time in full swings. They defeated the Cheetahs by a massive difference of 41-8 on March 26.
The side continued with their good performance in the Super Rugby championship until the faced Hurricanes on April 30. The champs perceived the first defeat of the season against New Zealander conference Hurricanes by a thin margin of 28-26. However, the
contest was one to watch as the sides made desperate efforts to clinch the victory.
Reds had a patchy period during the last week of May and the first of April as they looked off colour during two consecutive matches. They won the highly anticipated match against the Crusaders with a minimum difference of one point but lost the next game
to a team like Brumbies by 22-14.
The final of Super Rugby 2011 was played between New Zealander conference, Crusaders and Queensland Reds of Australia. Will Genia’s try proved the golden touch for Reds as he scored a 67th minute decisive try for his side.
The Reds played 16 matches in Super Rugby season 2011 and remained successful in 13 and faced defeat on three occasions. The derby managed to remain on top of the point’s tables among the other Australian sides throughout the championship.
Reds skipper James Horwill, vice captain Will Genia, fly-half Quade Cooper, centres Anthony Faingaa and Digby Ioane and full-back Peter Hynes were the major contributors for their side.
The Reds have produced number of big names for Australia in its 15 years long history of Super Rugby. Chris Latham is a distinguished name among the long list of award winning players. Latham won three consecutive Super Rugby player’s of the year awards
from 2003-5. Will Genia was named to secure the same award at the end of Super Rugby 2011. Ewen McKenzie was declared the coach of Super Rugby for his splendid services in this year’s stalls.
At least 14 players from the Reds are representing the Wallabies in International competitions which definitely are the great symbol of their hard work.
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