Reds 25
The boot of Quade Cooper has finally broken Queensland's Super Rugby duck in Canberra, the Reds compounding the Brumbies' week of turmoil with a 31-25 victory on Saturday night.
Cooper booted seven penalties, a conversion and a drop goal to prove the Reds are more than the entertainers of the competition, getting the visitors deservedly home even with the Brumbies scoring four tries to one in front of a disappointing 16,027 fans.
The Wallabies five-eighth 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.
MATCH STATS
SUPER 15 STANDINGS
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 New Zealand next weekend before a bye then a crucial home game against the NSW Waratahs.
Queensland scored their only try in the 12th minute through Scott Higginbotham after good lead-up work from Cooper before the home side replied through Stephen Moore in the 21st and in-form fullback Pat McCabe in the 32nd.
But Cooper's boot had delivered a 22-15 halftime lead to the Reds.
A blistering opening to the second half from the Brumbies, when Reds prop Ben Daley was in the sin bin, resulted in crowd favourite Ita Vaea crossing in the 43rd minute before Giteau missed the opportunity to tie the game up by hitting the upright.
Cooper added penalties in the 52nd, 55th and 69th minutes to make it 31-20 before the Brumbies got it together for a try to prop Ben Alexander - but Giteau hit the upright again.
Some heart-stopping late attack was not enough to prevent the Reds notching their second win in 17 Super Rugby games against the Brumbies.
Queensland Reds 31 (Scott Higginbotham try Quade Cooper con 7 pens drop goal) bt Brumbies 25 (Ben Alexander, Pat McCabe, Stephen Moore, Ita Vaea tries Matt Giteau con pen) at Canberra Stadium. Referee: Mark Lawrence. Crowd: 16,027.
- AAP
