SYDNEY - The Queensland Reds will host their first Super Rugby final next Saturday against seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders following decisive semi-final victories for both sides this weekend.
Winger Rod Davies scored a hat-trick of tries and Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper ran the show as Queensland dominated the Auckland Blues 30-13 in Brisbane on Saturday.
Across in Cape Town, the homeless Crusaders outplayed the Western Stormers 29-10 to book their ninth Super Rugby final appearance and first since their last title triumph in 2008.
It will be the first Super Rugby decider in Australia since the ACT Brumbies beat the Crusaders 47-38 seven seasons ago and ends recent South African dominance after the Northern Bulls won the past two southern hemisphere championships.
The Reds, who topped the standings after the 18 regular season rounds, pipped the Crusaders 17-16 in their only meeting this year and also downed Richie McCaw's team 41-20 at home last season.
The final promises to be an enthralling contest between the well-drilled Crusaders, inspired by All Blacks skipper McCaw, and the unpredictable attacking skills of Cooper in his fly-half duel with All Black rival Dan Carter.
The Crusaders' indomitable run to the final comes against a backdrop of more than 100000km in travelling after the deadly Christchurch earthquake rendered their home ground unplayable in February.
Crusaders chase eighth super title against Reds
SYDNEY - The Queensland Reds will host their first Super Rugby final next Saturday against seven-time champions Canterbury Crusaders following decisive semi-final victories for both sides this weekend.
Winger Rod Davies scored a hat-trick of tries and Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper ran the show as Queensland dominated the Auckland Blues 30-13 in Brisbane on Saturday.
Across in Cape Town, the homeless Crusaders outplayed the Western Stormers 29-10 to book their ninth Super Rugby final appearance and first since their last title triumph in 2008.
It will be the first Super Rugby decider in Australia since the ACT Brumbies beat the Crusaders 47-38 seven seasons ago and ends recent South African dominance after the Northern Bulls won the past two southern hemisphere championships.
The Reds, who topped the standings after the 18 regular season rounds, pipped the Crusaders 17-16 in their only meeting this year and also downed Richie McCaw's team 41-20 at home last season.
The final promises to be an enthralling contest between the well-drilled Crusaders, inspired by All Blacks skipper McCaw, and the unpredictable attacking skills of Cooper in his fly-half duel with All Black rival Dan Carter.
The Crusaders' indomitable run to the final comes against a backdrop of more than 100000km in travelling after the deadly Christchurch earthquake rendered their home ground unplayable in February.
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