Defending Super Rugby champions the Queensland Reds came horribly unstuck at Loftus Versfeld this morning when they were hammered 61-8 by the Northern Bulls.

It was the second time in five years that the Reds had been humiliated at Loftus following a record 92-3 loss in 2007.

The Reds were missing several injured members of their triumphant 2011 team, notably flyhalf Quade Cooper, centre Anthony Faingaa and wing Digby Ioane, and they were never in the contest in the match that was played early this morning Fiji Time.

The Bulls scored just one try in the first half through fullback Zane Kirchner after a five-metre scrum but flyhalf Morne Steyn kicked three penalties and a conversion to give them a handy 16-3 lead.

However, the Bulls were creating space on attack almost at will and the Reds plunged into despair midway through the second half as the Bulls scored three tries to open up a 37-3 lead.

Dom Shipperley scored Queensland’s only try in the 61st minute and after that it was an avalanche of tries by the Bulls to finish the game 61-8.

In the other result this morning Stormers defeated Lions 24 - 19.

The Crusaders were given a scare by the Cheetahs but rallied to secure a 28-21 Super Rugby victory in their first match in their home city of Christchurch for nearly two years on Saturday.

All Black fly half Dan Carter played the second half in his first match since being injured at the World Cup and had a role in a back move that resulted in full-back Israel Dagg crossing to secure the victory five minutes from time.

Having not been able to play in Christchurch since the deadly February 2011 earthquake wrecked their Lancaster Park stadium and coming into the match on the back of two defeats a much needed victory of any sort was welcomed by the Crusaders.

Captain Kieran Read said it was good to get back to winning ways in a pitch-side interview at the packed 17,000-seater Christchurch Stadium.

In Australia, the Brumbies ended the Highlanders winning run 33 -26, while the Waratahs defeated the Sharks 34 - 30.


Story by: William Waqavakatoga
[Source: ABC News/Reuters]