Clutch tries from milestone man Filipo Daugunu and Louis Werchon sealed a rousing 31-26 for the Queensland Reds over the Crusaders on Saturday night.
A 19-all deadlock had sent the match into a tense final 10 minutes before the Reds duo iced a worthy victory for a roaring Suncorp Stadium crowd.
It was the Reds’ first win over the Crusaders in Brisbane since the 2011 Super Rugby final and members of that championship team were at the ground watching on for their 15-year reunion. Only 2024’s epic upset in Christchurch had been a previous victory for the Reds across that period.
Winger Daugunu celebrated his 100th Super Rugby game in style with his big involvements to help topple the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific champions.
He ran for a game-high 120m but none were more vital than the low, explosive 5m surge to the tryline in the 72nd minute.
Replacement prop Jeffery Toomaga-Allen was glued to his back to make sure he got there for the key five-pointer through the defence.
Daugunu only had that chance because another high-impact replacement, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, had drilled a 40m touchfinder from a penalty to set up a lineout 6m out.
Sweat on the ball made it a slippery proposition for both sides in the heat. With three minutes to play, it was the Crusaders who spilt it and opportunist Werchon swooped.
He dashed more than 40m to score the clinching try in the Swyftx Super Rugby Pacific match.
After back-to-back losses, there was a huge response with sting in tackles, more power in contact and sharp attack that punctured the defence of the Crusaders with nine line breaks.
“I think there is a mental toughness you see in this Reds team. Fraser and the boys were super honest and pragmatic this week to be better after two losses and there was a worthy mindset to make amends,” Reds Head Coach Les Kiss said.
“It wasn’t always neat and tidy but sometimes you’ve just got to find a way and fight hard for things and we did.”
Kiss praised Daugunu for all he gave to the team effort.
“He’s a competitive bugger. What I liked at the end was he was spent. It wasn’t just brawn but finesse out there and some of his kick chases caused havoc,” Kiss said.
Reds skipper Fraser McReight was delighted with the performance.
“I thought we bounced back this week really, really well. We have a strong belief in this team that we can go deep in this comp but Super Rugby is tough, physically and mentally, and everyone can beat everyone. You are always searching for improvements,” McReight said.
Digby Ioane, Scott Higginbotham and other members of the Reds’ 2011 Super Rugby-winning team were at the ground watching for their 15-year reunion.
“Reflecting on that it’s pretty special with it being 15 years since they beat them (the Crusaders) twice that year. It’s special tonight for our group. I’m really, really proud for us,” McReight said.
The Reds led 7-5 early through a McReight try before a smart Harry Wilson kick ahead became a try for the sprinting Carter Gordon.
The Reds ripped into action just after half-time. Halfback Kalani Thomas made a dummy and dart from the ruckbase and grubbered the ball ahead.
Three Reds chased and it was winger Tim Ryan who dotted down for 19-12.
A McReight steal late in the game, centre Hunter Paisami’s power in every play, Josh Flook’s speed and timing, No.8 Harry Wilson’s urgency for 10 tackles, McLaughlin-Phillips stepping up when Gordon limped off…the contributors when needed were everywhere.
Toomaga-Allen made a big impact. In the space of a few minutes, he teamed with Wilson to jolt a turnover, seized one solo and drove Daugunu over the tryline.
The Reds have a bye next weekend before playing the Blues on Anzac Day at Super Round in Christchurch on April 25.
QUEENSLAND REDS 31
Tries: Tim Ryan, Fraser McReight, Carter Gordon, Filipo Daugunu, Louis Werchon
Conversions: Jock Campbell 2, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
Def
CRUSADERS 26
Tries: Chay Fihaki 2, George Bell, Christian Lio-Willie
Conversions: Rivez Reihana 2, Taha Kemara
Half-time: Reds 14-Crusaders 12
Venue: Suncorp Stadium
Crowd: 16, 531
