Reds outscore Bulls by 6-3 – Rugby news
Reds have re-taken their first spot on the Super XV combined table after their eighth match of the championship with the current super rugby champions, Bulls.
Reds need to win the game and score a bonus point as the Crusaders achieved the same against the Chiefs earlier during the weekend. Reds were equal to the task as they overpower the Bulls at Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane during the weekend.
For Bulls, this was their consecutive loss in the season however they would be satisfied with their performance against the Reds. Particularly after coming from such a heavy defeat; Crusaders during round eight of the Super XV humiliated the Bulls with a
27-0 defeat.
Win at Suncorp during the weekend has provided Reds with another record, as the Saturday’s game was their sixth consecutive win. In addition to this, it was Reds consecutive 9th win at the Suncorp, and will be eyeing to make it 10 as they host Waratahs next
week.
Reds so far have lost once out of the eight games, they have played, and the Waratahs at Sydney defeated them during the earlier rounds of the Super XV.
Last minutes try of the Bulls Winger Bjorn Basson give some decency to result reading 39-30 in favour of the Reds. Reds were in control of the game in-fact they dominated the game and outplayed the Bulls in all facets of the game except the set pieces. Bulls
renowned for their set pieces expertise were exceptional in set pieces and also their goal kicking was much better in the game but they did not follow it with intensity in other parts of the games.
Both teams started aggressively with as Reds won the penalty followed by the Bulls. However, it was Bulls Fly Half Morne Steyn who scored on the penalty to give the defending champions the lead. Reds Fly-Half Quade Cooper scored a magnificent try, followed
a conversion to put the Reds into the leads.
Bulls from there now never look like reducing the lead they did came close to levelling the score but weren’t able to do so. In 27th minute, Steyn scored his second penalty of the game to take Reds to 7-6, still trailing by a point.
Reds kept the Bulls defence under pressure but were able to hold on. Cooper scored a drop to extend the lead by three points. Reds Flank Radike Samo scored a try in the 37th minute, followed by Cooper’s conversion. Moments later, Bulls Winger
scored his first try of the game followed by Steyn conversion to leave the visitors trailing by just three points at the end of the first half.
After initial Bulls burst during the first few minutes of the second half, Reds started to firm their grip on the game as they were enjoying the territory possession and were able to penetrate the Bulls defence. In the 44th minute, Reds Full Back Luke Morahan
scored a try, followed by Cooper’s missed conversion to extend the lead. Steyn, who scored 13 points in the match, scored his last penalty in the 51st minute. This was followed by Reds Full Back’s second try of the evening to take the score 27-16. Coopers
missed the second conversion consecutively. This was followed by Reds Winger Digby Ioane try, which was the 5th of the match for Reds to take the score to 32-16, followed by another missed conversion by the Cooper.
Bulls built some momentum and 68th minute try by their substitute Danie Rossouw, followed by Steyn’s conversion which took the score to 32-23. Bulls tried hard to earn a losing Bonus point however, it was Reds who were dictating the terms and dented the
Bulls hope of the bonus point as Reds Lock James Horwill scored the sixth try for Reds, followed by a successful Cooper’s conversion to take their score to 39 points.
The 78th minute try of the Basson, his second in match followed by Steyn’s conversion bring cut the deficit down as the final scorecard read 39-30 in favour of Reds.
Bulls will now play the Western Force at Perth before heading back to South Africa.
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