Crusaders coast past Reds in warm-up match

SYDNEY - The Crusaders cranked their Super 12 preparations up a gear and left a Queensland casualty ward in their wake after muscling to a crushing 48-19 trial victory in Brisbane last night.

Off-key in their previous trial matches against the Highlanders and Waratahs, the Crusaders improved significantly at Ballymore against a Reds side on a high after wins against the Brumbies and New South Wales.

The Crusaders scored twice in the first seven minutes and forged a 21-point lead before makeshift fullback Daniel Carter mercilessly extended the margin out even further with a 26th minute penalty goal.

The Reds responded with a Junior Pelesasa try but a freakish try from Caleb Ralph after the halftime siren, scored when Julian Huxley knocked the ball out of the hands of a show-boating Reuben Thorne in the in-goal, put the contest beyond reach at 31-7.

Crusaders coach Robbie Deans was understandably delighted with his side's performance, particularly after last week's dismal 14-39 loss to the Waratahs.

"We were a looking for a polished performance. We talked about how this (win) was important to us when we have the Brumbies next week."

"We started doing some things we've paid lip service to. There were better decisions is the carry .... all round a bit more cohesion," Deans told NZPA.

Greater urgency at the breakdown and improved ball security paved the way for a morale-boosting victory before a season-opener against the defending champions on Saturday week.

"We secured and maintained the ball for the first 20 minutes .... the Reds didn't see much of the ball and that was probably the point of difference in the game," Deans said.

The Crusaders have one fresh injury concern after the six tries to three triumph -- All Blacks hooker Corey Flynn strained a hamstring early in the second half and will be assessed when the team return to Christchurch today.

Queensland fared far worse in the war of attrition, 10 days out from their round one appointment with the Hurricanes.

Medical staff will assess at least nine players at today's recovery session including Wallabies duo Chris Latham and Elton Flatley.

Latham is the player causing the most concern after he left the field late in the first half with a sprained ankle while Flatley received a knock on the knee that he injured during the Wallabies' tour to Europe last year.

The Reds also lost Tim Atkinson (dislocated shoulder), Josh Valentine (rib cartilage), Drew Mitchell and Steve Kefu (head knocks), as well as Julian Huxley, David Croft and Ben Tune (severe cramps).

Queensland coach Jeff Miller was left searching for answers after the game over how his side could suffer so many casualties less than two weeks out from the start of the Super 12.

"That's a big worry for us," Miller said.

"I think we've had a season's worth of injuries in one game and that virtually wiped out the last 20 minutes of the game."

Miller was forced to finish the game with flanker John Roe at fullback and giant hooker Stephen Moore feeding the scrums.

Crusaders 48 (Dan Carter, Casey Laulala, Richie McCaw, Caleb Ralph, Ti'i Paulo, Vilimoni Delasau tries; Dan Carter 6 con 2 pen)
Reds 19 (Junior Pelasasa, Tim Atkinson, Brock James tries; Julian Huxley 2 con).

Halftime 31-7.

- NZPA