Rugby: Blues save face with late try

Scott Higginbotham of the Reds runs with the ball . Photo / Getty Images

Reds 37 Blues 31
The Queensland Reds returned to the top of the Super rugby table by leapfrogging the Blues and maintaining their proud record at Suncorp Stadium with a contrasting 37-31 victory tonight.

Australia's leading franchise survived a Blues resurgence either side of halftime before clearing out to record a bonus point victory.

It was a decidedly Black Friday for the Blues until after the fulltime siren when a Rene Ranger try and Luke McAlister conversion salvaged two bonus points - an unlikely reward after they trailed 24-0 after half an hour.

Super 15 standings

Ranger's score after the Blues pounded away at the Reds line for 11 phases enabled them to improve to 49 points, one behind the Reds who also recorded their 11th successive win on their home ground.

The Reds first victory over the Blues in Brisbane since 2004 seemed a formality until the New Zealanders rallied late in the first half.

Two tries inside three minutes finally slowed Queensland's momentum after the home side had built an ominous lead.

New father Chris Lowrey barged over from close range to vindicate Keven Mealamu's decision to turn down a kickable penalty in the 36th minute and shortly after the restart a breakdown turnover and Ranger bust allowed replacement back Lachie Munro to stumble across the line.

Joe Rokocoko made ground down the flank before in passing to Munro who tripped over his feet, rolled and still managed to right himself without a defender in sight.

Luke McAlister added both conversion through Ali Williams provided Quade Cooper with his fifth successful kick of the half when he strayed offside handy to the posts after the hooter to give the Reds a 27-14 lead.

Until their late rally the Blues - who were on a nine-match winning streak - barely threatened.

Queensland started ominously when 10 phases culminated in Quade Cooper diving over in the corner after his line ball set Ben Lucas on course for the chalk until he was crunched in a double tackle.

However, impressive openside flanker Beau Robinson recycled the ball to Anthony Faingaa who put Cooper across in the fifth minute.

The Wallabies pivot slotted the difficult conversion and goaled a 22nd minute penalty as the Reds continued to monopolise territory and possession.

Incisive wing Digby Ioane instigated the Reds second try when he fielded a Stephen Brett, evaded the first five-eighth's weak tackle and surged 25-metres before blindside Scott Higginbotham powered on and released hooker Saia Faingaa for a short run to the line in the 27th minute.

Higginbotham turned from provider to try-scorer four minutes later when Robinson set him up from close range after Will Genia popped a pass under extreme pressure.

Cooper's conversion had the crowd anticipating a rout but when Stephen Brett put Mathewson over five minutes after the resumption the 24-point buffer had been trimmed to 27-21.

A McAlister penalty then cut the Reds lead to three but five minutes later on the hour the Reds and their fans breathed a collective sigh of relief when replacement hooker James Hanson charged down a Brett clearance and pounced on a favourable bounce.

Cooper then continued his flawless kicking display with a tricky angled penalty when Williams was the offender again, giving the Reds a 13-point lead and security despite Ranger's consolation prize.

The Blues, who maintain top spot in the New Zealand conference at least until the Crusaders play the Cheetahs early Sunday (NZT) in Bloemfontein head home to host South African frontrunners the Stormers at Eden Park on Friday night.

The Reds can savour the bye - and a guaranteed four points - before returning to action against the Crusaders in Brisbane on May 29.

QUEENSLAND REDS 37 (Quade Cooper, Saia Faingaa, James Hanson, Scott Higginbotham tries Cooper 4 cons 3 pens) bt BLUES 31 (Chris Lowrey, Alby Mathewson, Lachie Munro, Rene Ranger tries Luke McAlister 4 cons pen) at Suncorp Stadium. Referee: Jonathan Kaplan.

- NZPA