Reds too strong for Crusaders

Brisbane - The Reds beat the Crusaders 35-12 in a pre-season match at Ballymore in Queensland on Friday.

The hosts, who led 28-0 at the break, ran in five tries to two in a one-sided affair against the seven-time Super Rugby champions.

It was the Crusaders’ third successive pre-season defeat following losses to the Highlanders (29-27) and Hurricanes (41-31).

The Reds start their Super Rugby campaign away to the Brumbies in Canberra next Friday (February 13), while the Crusaders host the Rebels in Christchurch earlier on the same day.

Scorers:

Reds:

Tries: James Horwill (2), Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, Samu Kerevi, penalty try
Conversions: Karmichael Hunt (4), Nick Frisby

Crusaders:

Tries: Luke Romano, Matt Todd
Conversions: Dan Carter (2)

Teams:

Reds:

15 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Anthony Fainga'a, 11 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 10 Karmichael Hunt, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Curtis Browning, 5 Marco Kotze, 4 James Horwill, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Saia Fainga'a, 1 James Slipper (captain)

Substitutes: 16 Ben Daley, 17 James Hanson, 18 Sef Faagase, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Duncan Paia'aua, 23 Campbell Magnay

Crusaders:

15 Colin Slade, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Tom Taylor, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Dominic Bird, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Alex Hodgman

Substitutes: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Ged Robinson, 18 Joe Moody, 19 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 20 Scott Barrett, 21 Tom Sanders, 22 Billy Guyton, 23 Nathaniel Apa, 24 Nafi Tuitavaki, 25 David Havili