Latham hurt as QR Reds fall short
The QR Reds fell agonisingly short of staging an upset win over the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium, when the weight of possession and All Black experience tipped the balance 27-21 in favour of the Investec Super 14 front runners in the final minutes.
In a further blow, fullback Chris Latham looks set to miss next week's final round match against the Waratahs after suffering a suspected pectoral muscle injury.
The Reds were leading 21-8 with 30 minutes remaining, prompting Crusaders coach Robbie Deans to send in the cavalry in the form of All Blacks Daniel Carter, Ali Williams and Corey Flynn.
The Crusaders also gained the benefit of a two man advantage at one stage as first, wing Digby Ioane and three minutes later, scrumhalf Ben Lucas were given yellow cards.
The Crusaders took the lead with five minutes remaining thanks to a Carter try, but even then the Reds refused to give up and had a chance to win the match right on fulltime when they were awarded a penalty for offside while they were camped on the Crusaders' line. However the quick tap came to nought and the relieved Crusaders celebrated while the bitterly disappointed Reds slumped to the ground.
Despite the loss, most in the crowd of 21,768 gave the Reds a standing ovation a fulltime, while Reds coach Phil Mooney had nothing but praise for the courage shown by his side, especially in defence. The Crusaders had enough ball to win three football games and it was a tribute to the Reds' desperation that they were made to fight all the way.
Mooney praised the performance of Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper, who scored an excellent try when he skipped past three defenders close to the line. Captain and lock James Horwill again led bravely by example, centre Berrick Barnes defended stoutly in the midfield and flanker David Croft made his second last game for the Reds one to remember.
Incoming Wallaby coach Deans said the Reds were clearly a side on the improve and they had given the Crusaders the tough battle they had expected.
He predicted next week's match against the Waratahs would be a "great game of football" and said the Reds would be hard to beat if they played the way they did against the Crusaders and weren't disrupted by injury or suspension.
Wing Ioane has been cited to face a dangerous tackle charge and will appear before a SANZAR judicial officer on Monday night.
Crusaders 27 (Kade Poki, Kieran Read, Ali Williams, Daniel Carter tries Stephen Brett pen, Daniel Carter 2 cons) def QR REDS 21 (James Horwill, Peter Hynes, Quade Cooper tries Clinton Schifcofske 3 cons) at Suncorp Stadium. Crowd: 21,768.
News conference highlights (WMA files):
Phil Mooney says he's proud of his players despite the loss to the Crusaders, who benefited from the second half introduction of high profile replacements in Ali Williams, Dan Carter and Corey Flynn. Mooney pays tribute to Chris Latham who has played his last game in a Reds' jersey after being injured. He and Forwards Coach Mark Bell comment on the torrid introduction to Super 14 scrummaging for Ben Daley when he came up against Crusaders' and All Black prop Greg Somerville.
Crusaders' coach Robbie Deans says the replacements helped improve the decision making after the Crusaders squandered early opportunities. The incoming Wallaby coach says the QR Reds are a team on the improve and predicts next week's match against the Waratahs will be "a great game of footy".
