Reds retain Aussie crown

Reds retain Aussie crown

14 Jul 2012

SIMON BORCHARDT saw the Reds beat the Waratahs 32-16 in Brisbane to finish top of the Australian conference.

After the Brumbies’ defeat to the Blues, the Reds had to win their final league fixture and score four tries to finish third on the combined log. They achieved their goal, although three of their five tries were a result of mistakes from the Waratahs, who have lost their last eight matches.

The Super Rugby champions will now host a play-off qualifier in Brisbane next weekend against the team that finishes sixth on the combined log, while the Brumbies need the Bulls or Sharks to slip up on Saturday if they are to reach the play-offs.

The Reds made the ideal start to this crucial fixture when a botched lineout saw Will Genia send the ball wide to Scott Higginbotham, who got on the outside of Tatafu Polota-Nau to score in the corner.

However, it was the visitors who dominated possession and territory for the remainder of the first quarter. Berrick Barnes kicked a penalty and Chris Alcock was desperately unlucky not to score a try after charging down Genia’s kick (Dom Shipperley got a boot to the ball just before the Waratahs flanker could apply downward pressure).

Liam Gill scored the Reds second try moments after Tahs prop Paddy Ryan had been sent to the sin bin for a professional foul, but the visitors hit back through Drew Mitchell, who chased down Bernard Foley’s kick into the in-goal area.

While Foley missed the conversion, Adam Ashley-Cooper kicked a long-range drop goal to make it 12-11 at half-time.

But the Tahs imploded again early in the second half when Polota-Nau’s wayward lineout throw was poached by James Slipper, who scored his side’s third try. Five minutes later, Mitchell knocked on inside his 22 after a poor pass from Barnes and Shipperley picked up the loose ball to score the bonus-point try.

Genia extended the Reds’ lead to 18 with a try in the corner, before they were reduced to 14 men when Quade Cooper was yellow carded for a dangerous tackle on Barnes.

Tom Carter then scored a consolation try for the Waratahs with seven minutes to go, but Harris sealed the win with a late penalty.


409 Comments

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  • 201.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:29 pm

    Maybe they should trial that at the olympics – give the fastest qualifier a medal, even he comes stone last in the race.

  • 202.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm

    Is this a record number of match posts on Keo for two Australian sides playing?

  • 203.fitz1ella: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm

    these dumb sharkshitfcKs reckon this competition is about bonus points, no its not its about winning more games than the other teams in competition. That’s what its about.
    That why if Cheetahs step it up they could yet be in trouble qualifying for play offs.

    Move over Jakey Fakey let a REAL rugby coach show you how to compete and finish, you still got a way to go to get near to stepping into Mckenzie’s shadow in real rugby ingenuity stakes.

  • 204.davidv: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:30 pm

    Now all that must happen is that the Bulls need to win (no matter how) and the Sharks just need to win by 4 or more (4 tried not needed) and there will be 3 SA sides in the finals

  • 205.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:32 pm

    @fitz1ella(fitz1ella)-203: oh…..so mcKenzie didn’t have to get a bonus point to actually displace the Brumbies?

    Light up another one.

  • 206.stormerforlife1: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:32 pm

    Time to take a break from the rugby.Will be back later to cheer on the Saffa sides the Lions,Cheetahs and Stormers.

  • 207.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:32 pm

    @davidv(davidv)-204: Indeed. Lets hope the Cheetahs don’t spoil the party. Wouldn’t really mind if the Lions do :)

  • 208.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:34 pm

    So now the Bullie and the Guppies both need 5 points to make the playoffs.

    Both these teams face big moering against the Saders and Reds if they qualify. Ouch.

  • 209.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-205: more excellent analysis.

  • 210.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:35 pm

    @RL(RL)-208: No they don’t. 4 points each will do (with the Sharks to win by 5points at least).

  • 211.cane: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:36 pm

    @chch(chch)-202:

    Good point chch.

    I would think quite possibly.

  • 212.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-209: lol…on a roll ;)

  • 213.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-199:

    Yes they get a trophy…

  • 214.cane: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:37 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-207:

    Go the Cats……………………………………………..whatever their spots.

  • 215.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:38 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-213: really, why have I not seen the photos of JDV holding it aloft?

  • 216.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:38 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-200:

    We don’t make the rules mate! The rule is that each conference wins a trophy for ending top of SA teams. It is like a competition within one…

  • 217.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-215:

    Google it – smaller version of the actual trophy…

  • 218.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @cane(cane)-214: gaan kuk in die mielies :)

  • 219.cane: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:39 pm

    @cane(cane)-214:

    Or lack of (spots).

  • 220.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:41 pm

    You must admit though, whether or not there is such as thing as a “conference trophy”, that it is pretty meaningless…..

    The Chiefs “won” the NZ conference, but if the Crusaders beat them in a semi it means jack right? :-)

    What if the Sharks do the same to the Stormers?…………….. what will the conference title be worth then?

  • 221.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:42 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-220: diddly squat.

  • 222.RL: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:42 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-210: so it will come down to points difference.

    Saders to moer the Bulls and the Red to stuff the Guppies.

  • 223.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:42 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-217: it obviously means so much that we didn’t see the Reds celebrating it on a podium, singing Kampiones, red glitter and fireworks erupting, champagne spraying………..

  • 224.Nils: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm

    @RL(RL)-208: “So now the Bullie and the Guppies both need 5 points to make the playoffs.”

    No, they have just to win and Sharks by 5+ points.

  • 225.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:43 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-220:

    …I’m the messenger mate…no use shooting him…

    There is a trophy and we can’t do anything about it… Three in fact…one for each countries winners…

  • 226.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:44 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-220:

    …just like giving team 5 and 6 free entry into the playoffs – which is unheard of, so is the trophy… I guess…

  • 227.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:45 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-194:

    The conference cup will mean nothing if we don’t go on and win the whole thing.

    And in the case where we don’t win the Championship but still advanced further than the Sharks then the Stormers will still be the best side in SA.

  • 228.Nils: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:46 pm

    @cane(cane)-214: Even if (most probably) Hurricanes season has ended, they have done bloody well.

  • 229.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:48 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-220:
    Take it one game at a time is my advise, the damn competition’s too convoluted, too much controlled by the unions’ interests to weigh it by rugby proper criteria

  • 230.cane: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:49 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-228:

    Far better than I ever imagined at the start of the S15.

    (I thought bottom 3).

  • 231.Nils: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:52 pm

    @cane(cane)-230: Absolutely. With all those choppings Hammett was made to look like complete fool and Blues the almighty beneficiaries and title contenders.

    No second guessing who has had the last laugh.

  • 232.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:52 pm

    I see Eastern Province beat the KZN Schools team today…

    Well done Transie…

  • 233.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:53 pm

    @Nils(Nils)-228:
    The Hurricane season DID end,
    when last time have the Bulls lost at Loftus under Joubert @ Pro Legota watch? ;)

  • 234.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:55 pm

    Does anyone agree that fifth and sixth place is pointless. Should be top four for semi-finals. Just prolonging an already long competition and making the minnows feel important ;)

  • 235.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 13:59 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-234: agree, but then all teams should play each other

  • 236.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-232: did transie play for EP schools? Why does he deserve a “well done”?

  • 237.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:01 pm

    @RL(RL)-208:
    The Bulls have Craig Joubert to wield the ‘magic’, the Sharks will have Peiper who showed last few weeks to be an able scoundrel so it’s a done deal they will make the playoffs or heads will roll :(

  • 238.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:02 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-235

    Yep do away with home and away for local teams and have top three going through. 2nd plays 3rd for right to play top team in final…It would then be more credible…

  • 239.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:03 pm

    @wooden spoon(wooden spoon)-236:

    Maybe! Not sure, but the team he supports beat the KZN Craven week team…

  • 240.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:07 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-232: thanks Bootsy. now watch them give ‘bursaries’ to (read poach) all our boys.

  • 241.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:09 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-238: I prefer normal top 4 – 1 plays 4, 2 plays 3 and winners for final.

  • 242.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:11 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-241: @trupisero(trupisero)-241:

    Also good…

  • 243.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:12 pm

    right, need to get the house ready for guests – got a bull, a stormer and sharks supporter coming. May we all be happy later tonight.

    Actually, bugger the bull – he can sulk :)

  • 244.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-234:
    The Sharks have their fortune in their hands, will be entirely depend on Plumtree selection

  • 245.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:14 pm

    @trupisero(trupisero)-243:

    :lol:

    Crouch touch pause engage scenario…

  • 246.bokgat1: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 14:24 pm

    anyone know tries for and against, for sharks, bulls and bummies?

  • 247.RefuGSpot: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 15:13 pm

    I see Keo has f ucked the Stormers thread again. Must be the 4th time this season for the Stormers.

  • 248.RefuGSpot: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 15:14 pm

    well done De Jongh

  • 249.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 15:14 pm

    STOOOOORMEEEEEEEEEEEEERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 250.stormersboy: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 15:15 pm

    Ja. Try Juan De Jongh!

    Should have been Brian’s try, but we’ll take it!

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