Crusaders beat Reds to claim 18th straight win

The Crusaders made it three victories out of three in this year’s Super Rugby competition after they eased past the Reds 22-12 on Saturday.

Scott Robertson’s men were comfortable winners in Brisbane as they climb back above the Hurricanes and Highlanders to lead by three points.

For the Reds this defeat means they sit bottom of the Australian Conference, this after the Sunwolves claimed a superb victory at the Chiefs.

Unlike that Sunwolves game, this was a much more cagey affair but the Crusaders got the job done to seal an 18th straight Super Rugby win.

It was smart backline play that led to their opening try on eight minutes as centre Jack Goodhue’s cross-kick found Braydon Ennor unmarked on the right wing for an unconverted try. New man Will Jordan would also score soon after for 10-0 following a nice interchange with Ennor.

The Reds though hit back before the break as they enjoyed a solid passage in the closing stages, centre Samu Kerevi crashing over for 10-7.

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The first points after the interval would be vital and it went the way of the visitors, a line-out drive seeing Whetu Douglas power over. And following a yellow card for  backtracking flanker Lukhan Salakaia-Loto for being in the way of a pass, Jordan Taufua was next to get over.

That score moved the Crusaders into bonus-point territory but it would not last as replacement Scott Higginbotham showed decent strength wide on the right from close range to give the Reds the final say on 75 minutes, with this their second loss from their two games this year.

For the Crusaders they now regroup before hosting an out-of-form Chiefs side next weekend, looking to make it 19 Super Rugby wins on the spin.