Queensland Reds remain firmly rooted at the foot of the Super 12 Championship table after yet another defeat, this time to the Waikato Chiefs. A devastating second-half display helped the Chiefs to their 43-27 victory. The Chiefs came back from a marginal 19-20 half-time deficit to take the points.
Fijian sensation Sitiveni Sivivatu's try seven minutes into the second period helped them on their way. Fly-half David Hill converted and added a penalty goal before Sitivatu set up skipping Jono Gibbes for another converted try. Five minutes from the end Shayne Austin, who had been dogged by a hamstring injury going into the match, scored his second try between the posts off a clean break by Hill, who converted to make it 43-20 before Reds League converts Wendell Sailor and Elton Flatley had the final say with a last-minute converted try.
While there was no big surprise with this result, there was a shock in the day's other game between champions Canterbury Crusaders and the Auckland Blues as the Blues triumphed 39-5, five tries to one. It's been many years since Crusaders have suffered such a heavy defeat as they have come to dominate Super 12 rugby in recent times but this Saturday it was the Blues' turn to shine.
The Blues led 13-5 at half-time thanks to a try from Rupeni Caucaunibuca which Carlos Spencer converted. Spencer added two penalties to bring the first-half total to 13 while Scott Robertson touched down for Crusaders.
However, in the second-half, it was all Blues as Crusaders failed to get on the scoresheet. Joe Rokocoko, Sam Tuitupou, Carlos Spencer and Doug Howlett added four more tries and Spencer converted all but one of those with Malili Muliaina converting the other.
