WATCH: Tate McDermott sets up try for Jordan Petaia in Reds’ loss to Crusaders

David Skippers
Reds try v Crusaders Super Rugby Pacific 2023.jpg

Reds scrum-half Tate McDermott caught the eye as he set up a try for his team-mate Jordan Petaia during their 25-12 defeat to the Crusaders in Friday’s Super Rugby Pacific clash in Brisbane.

As the end result suggests, the Crusaders were the dominant side for long periods although they were made to work hard for their win in what was a scrappy affair.

In the 60th minute, with the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions holding a 22-7 lead, the home side launched an attack deep inside their opponents’ 22.

McDermott caught the flat-lying defence by surprise when he stabbed through a perfectly weighted grubber kick which Petaia gathered before diving over for his side’s second try.

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Earlier, the visitors took the lead courtesy of a Richie Mo’unga penalty in the 17th minute but the game came alive five minutes later when Leicester Fainga’anuku crossed for the opening try, which was converted by Mo’unga.

The Crusaders continued to hold the upper-hand and were rewarded with Dominic Gardiner’s five-pointer on the half-hour mark which gave his side a 15-0 lead.

The Reds needed a response and that came in the 33rd minute when McDermott scored their opening try, with Isaac Henry slotting the conversion which meant the Crusaders held a 15-7 lead at half-time.

The visitors continued to dominate after the interval and extended their lead when Willi Heinz crossed the whitewash and Mo’unga succeeded with the conversion.

McDermott and Petaia then combined for the wing’s brilliant five-pointer before Mo’unga slotted his second penalty in the 65th minute to seal the champions’ win.

Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific

READ MORE: Super Rugby Pacific: Five takeaways from Reds v Crusaders including Leicester Fainga’anuku barging down the front door