Reds snap 15-year hoodoo with thrilling win over Crusaders

The Queensland Reds have snapped a 15-year hoodoo in a 31-26 win against the defending champion Crusaders, keeping their Super Rugby Pacific finals aspirations intact.

But they may count the cost of the historic win, with playmaker Carter Gordon injuring his right knee in Saturday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium.

The Wallabies No.10 contender left the field in the 44th minute after coming off second best from a tackle, and he later had his knee in a brace and was holding crutches.

Gordon’s loss would be significant for Queensland (5-3) as they push for a finals spot with their next three games against top-four sides.

Regardless, the Reds snapped a horror losing streak to the Crusaders, having not beaten them in Brisbane since the 2011 Super Rugby grand final.

It came as that 2011-winning Queensland squad watched the current side rebound from their 42-19 home thumping by the Western Force last round.

Victory wasn’t easy as the visitors stayed in the contest despite the Reds dominating, but late tries to winger Filipo Daugunu and substitute Louis Werchon secured Queensland’s victory and cemented their position inside the league’s top six.

Daugunu dazzled all game in his 100th competition appearance, running for 120 metres and scoring a try.

The Crusaders (4-4) are now in danger of missing out on finals despite coming into the contest with three straight wins.

With All Blacks fullback Will Jordan out (calf tightness), his replacement Johnny McNicholl was busy with an assist and a try-saving tackle against Jock Campbell in the second half.

It took just over four minutes for the Crusaders to score when fullback McNicholl lofted a pass to an open Christian Lio-Willie in the left corner.

The Reds responded first through Fraser McReight and then Gordon, after he pounced on a Harry Wilson kick.

The visitors hit back when they moved right from a maul and found Chay Fihaki in the 21st minute.

Leading 14-12 at halftime, the Reds scored within the first minute of the second period when scrumhalf Kalani Thomas tore through and grubbered for a diving Tim Ryan.

The Crusaders equalised when hooker George Bell capitalised from a maul before Daugunu picked the ball up from a ruck and wrestled over the line in the 74th minute.

The visitors looked to find another five-pointer, but Werchon scooped up a loose ball before going on a 50-metre tear to seal victory.

Fihaki crossed after the siren to salvage a losing bonus point for the Crusaders.