Super XV: Reds win their 7th Consecutive Game by defeating Waratahs at Brisbane – Super Rugby
Queensland Reds continue to achieve excellence and improve their record in the Super Rugby competition by managing to win their seventh consecutive game, against the Waratahs, in Round 10 of the Super XV.
For the first time in seven years, Reds defeated the Waratahs at Lang Park, Brisbane on Saturday April 23, 2011. Reds were marvellous in their defence to defeat Waratahs, 19 -15. With this win, they have retained their position on top of the Super XV table.
This was the second occasion Reds played against the Waratahs in the Super XV. Earlier during the round, Reds suffered their only defeat in the Super XV by the Waratahs.
As predicted by analysts, the teams played a tight match with bulk of the scoring coming from penalties and drop goals. Another important aspect for the Reds was that their fly-half, Quade Cooper, improved his goal kicking significantly.
Reds started the game on the front foot as they ran with the ball towards the Waratahs goal line and won a penalty in the 3rd minute of the game.
Quade Cooper kicked the penalty but missed. Reds continued their attack as they won their second penalty in the 7th minute of the game.
This time Quade Cooper scored on the penalty to give the hosts an initial lead. Waratahs leveled the score through their fly-half, Kurtley Beale’s, 14th minute penalty.
In the following minutes, Reds lock, James Horwill, was found offside, thus, providing Waratahs a scoring opportunity. Beale scored his second try to put the visitors in lead.
Waratahs suffered a major blow as their winger, Drew Mitchell, injured his ankle. Daniel Halangahu substituted Mitchell.
Waratahs enjoyed more possession as they were able to win two penalties but opted for touch. Beale successfully kicked his third penalty of the game in the 27th minute of the game to extend the lead to six points.
Waratahs’ captain, Phil Waugh’s, tackle provided Reds with a penalty as they capitalized through their fly-half to reduce the deficit.
Cooper pulled out a spectacular try after penetrating through the Waratahs’ defence to score the first try of the match. He followed it with a conversion to take the scorecard to 16 – 9 in favour of the Reds. The scorecard remained the same until the end
of the first half.
Waratahs enjoyed more possession than the Reds in the second half but the Reds were impressive with their defence. They held on to the opposition’s forward line for almost a full length of the second hour to secure the win.
Waratahs scored six points, courtesy of their fly-half, Kurtley Beale’s, 45th and 71st minute penalties. During the last minutes of the game, Reds’ Cooper kicked the penalty to give the hosts a four point lead.
With this win, Reds has retained their top position in the Super XV consecutively for the third week as they firmly announce their contender-ship for this year’s super rugby championship.
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