Photo: ANDREW KACIMAIWAI
Queensland raced to an early lead and never really relented in their 35-15 win over the NSW Waratahs in their Super Rugby Pacific clash in Brisbane on Saturday.
The win saw the Reds move into third place on the competition table.
The Reds quickly jumped out to a 21-8 lead at the break as NSW tried to keep their unbeaten start to the season intact.
However, the Waratahs were up against a Reds side that were in control the presence of former Queenslanders Taniela Tupou and Lawson Creighton in their ranks.
BRUMBIES TAME DRUA
A Len Ikitau hat-trick steered the ACT Brumbies to a hard-fought 38-21 win over the Fijian Drua in Canberra on Friday.
Both teams entered the match in high spirits; the Brumbies snapped a 12-year drought in beating reigning champion Blues in Auckland while the Drua had scored their first win over the Chiefs.
After a tight opening spell, Ikitau and winger Andy Muirhead scored tries within four minutes to set up a 28-7 halftime lead.
The Drua stormed back into the game but the momentum turned in the 55th minute when a Drua try off a rolling maul was disallowed upon review.
The Brumbies were able to hold on, in defence, for the win.
CRUSADERS THUMP FORCE
Crusader winger Macca Springer scored five tries to equal the record in the Crusaders 55-33 win over the (WA) Force in Christchurch on Saturday.
All Black winger Sevu Reece scored three tries as the Force suffered their third straight loss after a 2-0 start to the season.
Crusaders kicker Taha Kemara kicked one of five conversion attempts and was replaced by former Wallaby and Force rep James O’Connor.
O’Connor set up Springer’s third try and twice nailed sideline conversions as a 20-18 halftime lead quickly ballooned out.
- In other games, the Wellington Hurricanes hung on for a 20-18 win over hosts Highlanders in Dunedin on Friday.
On Saturday, the ladder-leading (Waikato) Chiefs scored a 32-31 win over the (Auckland) Blues in Hamilton, NZ.
The Auckland-based Moana Pasifika had the bye.
