Crusaders claim quarterfinal victory in Christchurch

The Crusaders have ended the Queensland Reds’ 2022 Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a 37-15 win in Christchurch.

 
The hosts scored four tries to two in a polished quarterfinal display, although a gallant Queensland side remained in the contest for much of the clash.

 
Fijian flyers FIlipo Daugunu and Suliasi Vunivalu both crossed for tries as Queensland wrapped up their 2022 season.
 

Lawson Creighton drew first blood with a penalty in the fifth minute, before the hosts equalised with three-points of their own courtesy of the boot of Richie Mo’unga.

 
All Blacks fullback Will Jordan had the first try of the night soon after, as the home side claimed a 10-3 lead by the 15^th minute of play.

 
Queensland replied with their first five-pointer in the 25^th minute, Jordan Petaia breaking through the defence and sending Vunivalu streaking down the sideline to score his first try of 2022. Creighton missed the difficult conversion chance from the righthand sideline to keep the scores at 10-8.
 

Mo’unga extended his side’s advantage with a pair of penalties in the final minutes of the opening half, the Crusaders securing a 16-8 lead at the break.

 
Queensland struck early in the second stanza through Filipo Daugunu who finished a sizzling backline set play. After a Hamish Stewart 50-22 put the Reds into prime field position, Daugunu outpaced the chasing Crusaders defence off the back of a series of slick passes. Creighton slotted the conversion to cut Queensland’s deficit to 16-15 in the 43^rd minute.

 
Tries to Mo’unga and Sevu Reece saw the hosts regain the momentum and stretch their lead to 30-15 by the 64^th minute.
 

Replacement prop Finlay Brewis put the Crusaders into an unassailable 37-15 lead with a try in the 75^th minute as the Canterbury based outfit progressed to the competition semi-finals.

 
Queensland Reds 15
 
Tries: Vunivalu, Daugunu
Conversions: Creighton
Penalties: Creighton
 
Crusaders 37
 
Tries: Jordan, Mo’unga, Reece, Brewis
Conversions: Mo’unga 4
Penalties: Mo’unga 3
 
Queensland Reds Substitutions
 
33^rd minute – Sef Fa’agase for Feao Fotauika
56^th minute – Fraser McReight for Angus Blyth
56^th minute – Dane Zander for Harry Hoopert
59^th minute – Connor Vest for Seru Uru
61^st minute – Hunter Paisami for Jordan Petaia
64^th minute – Kalani Thomas for Tate McDermott
64^th minute – Richie Asiata for Matt Faessler
70^th minute – Angus Scott-Young for Liam Wright