Reds 31
Brumbies 25
The boot of Quade Cooper has finally broken Queensland's Super Rugby duck in Canberra, with the Reds compounding the Brumbies' week of turmoil last night.
Cooper booted 26 points to prove the Reds are more than the entertainers of the competition, delivering the visitors a deserved home even though the Brumbies scored four tries to one.
The Wallabies first five-eighths got one over the man he replaced in the gold No 10 jersey, Matt Giteau, who couldn't get cohesion in the Brumbies attack as the Reds delivered on their promise to muscle up at the breakdown.
The loss leaves the Brumbies, who sacked head coach Andy Friend during the week, with just one win from three outings.
Perhaps the banner at the northern end of Canberra Stadium said it all - Bring back our Friend! - and new boss Tony Rea and his high profile support staff have their work cut out if they're to make some ground in the Australian conference in coming weeks.
With their set piece also struggling, the Brumbies face the emotion-charged Crusaders in Nelson on Friday before a bye and then a crucial home game against the Waratahs.
The Reds held a 22-15 lead at the break after scoring their only try in the 12th minute through Scott Higginbotham after good lead-up work from Cooper.
The Brumbies had periods of dominance, particularly early in the second spell when they took advantage of prop Ben Daley's sin-binning, but couldn't stop the Reds notching their second win in 17 Super Rugby games against the Brumbies.
Brumbies 25
(B. Alexander, P. McCabe, S. Moore, I. Vaea tries; M. Giteau con, pen)
Reds 31
(S. Higginbotham try; Q. Cooper con, 7 pens, dg)
HT: 15-22
- AAP
