Match Report: Qualifying Final v Reds

As the rain fell and the temperatures dropped at Apollo Projects Stadium, the first Qualifying Final of the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Finals Series got underway between the Crusaders and the Queensland Reds. 

It was the Reds who got things underway at the kick off and a kicking duel quickly began. 

The Reds looked to have a chance as they patiently made their way towards the line, until Joe Brial knocked it on – one of many slip ups in the first 15 minutes from both sides. 

The Crusaders then took the chance to get the first points on the board through Scott Barrett.  

The Reds had secured the lineout, but as Fraser McReight cleared the ball, Barrett went for it and the ball came loose. Barrett scooped up the loose ball and went in for the try. 

The initial on field decision was no try, but was overturned to give the Crusaders a 5-0 lead.  

Both teams started to build some phases in the middle of the second half but were stopped short either by strong defence or errors due to the slippery conditions.  

Rivez Reihana was then hit heavy by Tate McDermott, which would later see him leave the field for an HIA – which he subsequently passed to allow him back on the field in the second half. But he kept the ball alive and sent it infield.  

The Crusaders had to show patience in their attack if they were to get anywhere near the line with the Reds forcing them back and the home side showing extra caution with the rain still pouring down.  

The Crusaders secured the line out through Scott Barrett and the drive towards the line began. It was Tamaiti Williams who ended up crashing his way over but limped his way back to halfway afterwards with s visibly sore knee, which he later left the field for.  

Reihana’s conversion extended the Crusaders lead to 12-0.  

A messy end to the first half left the score at 12-0 going into the break.  

The first 15 minutes of the second half had much of the same as the first; some persistent and patient attacking from both teams. 

The Crusaders picked up a knock on by the Reds and Christian Lio-Willie came storming through the midfield. He popped an offload to Noah Hotham who made a clearing kick and took his speed up a notch to drag off the defenders and pick up his kick to score. 

Reihana had another successful conversion to give the home side a 19-0 lead.  

The Reds bad luck continued when Ryan Smith was caught offside, and Reihana slotted the penalty kick from out in front to extend the lead to 22.  

Reihana then got a try of his own to give the Crusaders a 27-point lead.  

The Crusaders then suffered a blow with the loss of Ethan Blackadder, who was sent off with a yellow card.  

Blackadder came flying off the Reds line and caught Lachie Anderson high on the neck with his arm. 

The Reds immediately capitalised and got their first points of the match when Josh Nasser powered over the line. Filipo Daugunu’s conversion brought the score to 27-7. 

The Reds were on a roll and capitalised on the Crusaders infringing at the lineout. Harry Wilson sent a kick through for Fraser McReight to collect on his way through to score.  

Kyle Preston wanted to add his own points to the board in the 79th minute as he brilliantly intercepted a pass from Kalani Thomas to fly away and score in the corner to have the last say of the game and send the Crusaders into a home semi-final with a 32-12 win.  

“I’m really proud of the group and excited to have another week,” says Head Coach Rob Penney.  

“It’s a special group of men and they prepared really well last week, they put on a comprehensive display tonight and we’ve set ourselves up for another opportunity which is really cool.” 

“It’s a pretty happy changing room tonight,” says Captain David Havili.  

“I’m really stoked in the way our forward pack stepped up tonight and I’m grateful that the fans came out for us in this wintry weather.” 

Final score: Crusaders 32 Reds 12