Reds win Perth snorefest
The Reds took a small step away from the bottom of the Super Rugby table when they beat a dour Western Force 32-10 in an uninspiring Super Rugby match in Perth on Saturday.
The two teams showed why they are last, the Force, and second-from-last (before this match), the Reds, on the standings.
At least the Reds can celebrate a four-try bonus point and a move up to 12th, but it was not a performance that will give too many teams sleepless nights.
The biggest positive, other than the win and bonus point, was that Quade Cooper returned to the playing field and showed glimpses of the genius he can be.
Cooper returned after two months sidelined by a shoulder injury and sparked the struggling Reds, who went into the match with just three wins from 13 outings this season.
Cooper scored two tries and was in everything for the Reds, with his evasiveness and sure ball handling giving his side an offensive edge they have lacked all season.
He scored 22 points, missing with just one attempt with the boot, as well as creating several scoring opportunities with his passing.
He combined brilliantly with Will Genia and it was the latter's pass that enabled Cooper to score his second try in the 63rd minute.
Cooper also scored the opening try of the match, and his first of the season, in the 17th minute.
The Reds were able to spread the ball from side to side and constantly stretch the defence of the Force.
Lachie Turner scored a brace of tries, and both times Cooper was involved.
The first came after Cooper bamboozled the Force with a quick flick behind his back that left Turner with an easy job to score the try in the corner in the 35th minute.
A string of passes in the 48th minute, including two from Cooper, ended with Turner all alone in the corner again for a simple try.
That all but ended the Force resistance, after they trailed 18-10 at half-time, their hopes having been temporarily revived by a 38th minute try to Dane Haylett-Petty.
Reds captain James Slipper said it was a much-improved performance.
"We improved in most areas of the game," he said.
"We defended real well and our set pieces were very good."
Force skipper Matt Hodgson conceded his side was barely in the contest.
"It is disappointing, we were on the back foot for most of the game after the first five minutes," he said.
"They got the upper hand and we couldn't get it back."
Man of the match: Other than lock Steve Mafi, who had the occasional burst of energy, and the tireless Matt Hodgson not many Western Force players looked remotely interested in this game. Karmichael Hunt looked to inject himself into the game, with limited success. Liam Gill was impressive at the breakdown at times. Will Genia also looked like he is continuing his upward curve. However, our award goes to Reds flyhalf Quade Cooper, who had a big hand in the final outcome – with some sublime moments. Flawless it wasn't, but the flashes of brilliance were indeed the standout moments in an uninspiring encounter.
The scorers:
For the Western Force:
Try: Haylett-Petty
Con: Ebersohn
Pen: Ebersohn
For the Reds:
Tries: Cooper 2, Turner 2
Cons: Cooper 3
Pens: Cooper 2
Teams:
Western Force: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Marcel Brache, 12 Kyle Godwin, 11 Nick Cummins, 10 Sias Ebersohn, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 Pekahou Cowan
Replacements: 16 Heath Tessmann, 17 Chris Heiberg, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Sam Wykes, 20 Kane Koteka, 21 Alby Mathewson, 22 Luke Burton, 23 Patrick Dellit
Reds: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 13 Karmichael Hunt, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Lachie Turner, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Jake Schatz, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Adam Thomson, 5 James Horwill, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 James Hanson, 1 James Slipper (captain).
Replacements: 16 Andrew Ready, 17 Pettowa Paraka, 18 Sam Talakai, 19 Ed O'Donoghue, 20 Beau Robinson, 21 Nick Frisby, 22 Jake McIntyre, 23 Ben Tapuai.
Referee: Matt O'Brien
Assistant referees: Damien Mitchelmore, Michael Hogan
TMO: Peter Marshall
