Reds vs Crusaders takes: One of Australia’s best delivers in famous win

For the first time since the 2011 Super Rugby Grand Final, the Queensland Reds have defeated the Crusaders at Brisbane’s Suncorp Stadium. Filipo Daugunu and Fraser McReight starred as the Reds claimed a drought-breaking 31-26 win on Saturday.

It was 19-all with less than 10 minutes to play before Daugunu crossed for the go-ahead points deep in the contest. Replacement halfback Louis Werchon added to Queensland’s advantage with a runaway effort moments later.

Chay Fihaki secured a losing bonus point for the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions in the final play of the match, but the Reds had done enough to secure a history-making result in front of their home fans.

Here are some takeaways.

‘One of the best players in Australia’

ACT Brumbies captain Ryan Lonergan and Queensland Reds winger Filipo Daugunu became the latest members of the 100-apperance Super Rugby club in round nine. Lonergan scored as the Brums defeated the Highlanders in Dunedin, and Daugunu was prolific for the Reds.

Daugunu made a few mistakes and was penalised at the breakdown during the first half, but there was a lot to like about the centurion’s performance as well. With a game-high 13 carries for a staggering 120 metres, Daugunu celebrated this milestone with a stunning performance.

But let’s not brush over the clear highlight moment.

Louis Werchon was described by Stan Sport’s Matt Burke post-game as “the match-winner” but Daugunu delivered another game-defining play. Daugunu gave Queensland the lead back with a try in the 73^rd minute.

Werchon raced away to seal the win moments later, before Chay Fihaki crossed late to secure a losing bonus point for the Crusaders. But Daugunu’s efforts haven’t gone unnoticed, celebrating 100 appearances with a classy, match-defining effort.

“I honestly believe he’s one of the best players in Australia,” Reds lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto said post-game.

HMP delivers defining moment under pressure

The Reds have beaten the Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium for the first time since the 2011 Super Rugby Grand Final. Quade Cooper helped steer the Queenslanders to title-winning glory that night in the River City, starring alongside try-scorer Will Genia.

15 years later, Carter Gordon was named to start in the No. 10 jersey for the Reds, following a couple heroic efforts earlier this season. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips was named on the bench yet again, having featured in every fixture so far in 2026.

McLaughlin-Phillips was injected into the match early in the second half, with Gordon leaving the contest with an injury. The Australia A representative was fairly solid in general play, but produced a particularly crucial play when it really mattered.

With the scores locked at 19-all, the Reds were awarded a penalty. McLaughlin-Phillips had the ball around halfway but managed to kick the ball well inside the 22, with the Reds setting up an attacking maul about seven metres out from the line.

“With how he’s kicked that, I’m going straight to a maul,” Michael Hooper said on Stan Sport commentary. “He’s kicked that seven metres out from the try line.

“This is a great opportunity for the Reds.”

Tim Horan added: “It changes the whole lineout call. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, what a kick to touch.”

Milestone man Filipo Daugunu ended up crashing over for the go-ahead points in the phases that followed. But it comes back to that moment from McLaughlin-Phillips; delivering under pressure against historically the best club this competition has ever seen.

The tackle that changed the game

For only a moment, the scoreboard read 24-12.

Tim ‘The Junkyard Dog’ Ryan crossed for a massive try in the first 48 seconds into the second half. Kalani Thomas made something special from nothing with a break upfield, before putting a kick ahead for a group of Reds players to chase.

That set the tone for a red-hot start to the second term. In the blink of an eye, the Queenslanders were celebrating another try to Jock Campbell, but that effort was ultimately ruled out by referee Angus Gardner and the TMO.

Milestone man Filipo Daugunu made a telling line break before drawing in Crusaders fullback Johnny McNicholl, and throwing a draw-and-pass to Campbell. Campbell beat Taha Kemara with pace and deception, before pinning the ears back.

McNicholl and Kemara recovered to make a stop on a diving Campbell, but it still seemed the Reds fullback may have done enough to score. But that wasn’t the case, with McNicholl forcing Campbell to drop the ball.

That changed the game.

George Bell crashed over for the Crusaders 10 minutes later. Almost suddenly, the scores were level and the Crusaders had given themselves every chance of winning this one – although it wasn’t to be for the visitors in the end.

Reds dealt injury blow

If things had turned out a bit differently for Carter Gordon, this takeaway would’ve been an update on the race for the starting fly-half spot at the Wallabies. Ben Donaldson has been superb for the Western Force, but Gordon should be seen as the front-runner.

Gordon delivered match-winning heroics against the ACT Brumbies and NSW Waratahs earlier this season, before missing matches against the Fijian Drua and Western Force. But the 25-year-old returned to Super Rugby Pacific in style.

Backrower Harry Wilson produced an incredible left-foot kick ahead during the first half, with Gordon showcasing lightning-quick pace to score. That was the highlight from what was generally a solid performance from the No. 10.

Gordon was about one metre away from an incredible 50/22 in the 27^th minute, having hoofed the ball ahead from well inside the Reds half. If you’re a Reds or Wallabies fan, you would’ve been fairly pleased with what you saw from the playmaker during the opening 40.

But, unfortunately for the Reds, Gordon left the contest a few minutes into the second half. Gordon was later shown on the broadcast sitting on the bench with crutches, with Wallabies great Michael Hooper revealing the injured playmaker also had a knee brace on.

Australia A representative Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Wallabies pivot Tom Lynagh and Flying Fijian Ben Volavola are other options in this Queensland squad, should Gordon end up missing minutes for the Reds.