Queensland Reds cruise past Blues in first semi-final of Super Rugby
Top spot Queensland Reds crushed the Blues with a comprehensive margin of 30-13 in the first semi-final of Super Rugby played on July 2, at Suncorp stadium, Brisbane. Rod Davies elevated his side Reds with well executed tries to make their place in the final
of the Super Rugby championship 2011.
The Suncorp stadium in Brisbane had the perfect weather for rugby and the big Super Rugby encounter had the perfect playing conditions. The stadium was packed with spectators, especially Reds fans, who were attracted in large numbers to watch the action
live.
The Reds who concluded the Super Rugby regular season with the top position were clearly the favourites for the final of the championship on July 9. The Queensland Reds welcomed three key players back into the side after healing from injuries. Digby Ioane,
Anthony Boric and Beau Robinson were back in the team for the crucial game. However, James Slipper was not included in the playing XV due to an old injury.
The New Zealander derby, Blues, made just one change in the side as Lachie Munro had been preferred over Rene Ranger.
The Reds were quickly in the game after they made some desperate attacks right in the start of the match. Anthony Faingaa made a serious attempt to score the first try of the match in the second minute of the first-half but he was tackled 10 metres away
from the try line. Rod Davies celebrated the first try of the semi-final contest for Reds in the 11th minute of the match and Quade Cooper guided the ball into the goals on a conversion kick.
The Reds scored another try in the first part of the match as Ben Tapuai touched the line with the ball in his hands in the 29th minute. Quade Cooper added a three pointer to his team’s total just two minutes before the break and increased the
lead to 15-0. The Blues, who were still in the game, bounced back into the match and scored seven points in the last moments of the first-half. Dave Lowrey helped the Blues with a try and Stephen Brett kicked a successful conversion in the last minute of the
first-half.
Rod Davies had a wonderful day in the field as he scored two more tries in the second-half for his team. The Reds completed a comprehensive win over the Blues with a last minute drop goal from Quade Cooper and ended up the match 30-13. The Reds became the
first team to make their place in the final of Super Rugby championship 2011, which will be played on July 9.
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