This years Super Rugby tournament has been an interesting one. The 2011 Super 15 tournament kicked off on the 18th of February in Wellington. The extended group stage and modified 2nd round of the tournament provided Southern Hemisphere rugby fans with plenty of excitement. 124 matches were played in the tournament this year (30 more than last year’s Super 14).
In the end 4 teams advanced to the semi-final stage of the tournament. The Stormers played against the Crusaders on the 2nd of July at Newlands in Cape Town. The Stormers were beaten quite convincingly by the New Zealanders, losing by 29 points to 10. On the same day the Reds faced the Blues at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The Blues were beaten convincingly by their Australian hosts.
This past weekend the Reds faced the Crusaders in the 2011 Super 15 final at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane. The match was quite a tight affair. Eventually Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia clinched victory for the Reds with a 65-metre solo try out of nothing 12 minutes from time to break a 13-13 deadlock with Super Rugby’s greatest team. The Reds won their first professional Super Rugby final 18-13 over the Crusaders in Brisbane on Saturday, before a record crowd of 52,113 for an Australian provincial match.
The Australian press were full of praise for the Reds:
“This victory was the culmination of a sensational season for the Reds, who succeeded in revitalising Australian rugby in a crucial World Cup year by playing with flair, bravado and never losing the faith. Although playing vastly experienced opposition who are accustomed to winning Super titles, the young Reds outfit was not intimidated by the moment. And, after some jittery moments in the first half, got its act together after the break for the first Australian Super Rugby triumph in seven years.” The Sun Herald
“That Genia should be at the summit for Australia’s first Super Rugby title since 2004 could not have been more fitting because he suffered on the darkest day in Reds history four years ago when they were embarrassed 92-3 (by the Northern Bulls) in Pretoria. Genia was harassed and harried all night by the seven-time Kiwi champions but when the big moment arrived he had the poise to take it.” Brisbane Courier Mail
The Junk Mail Team would like to congratulate the Reds on achieving this victory. It’s truly a magnificent achievement.
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