Reds hold on to defeat Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific and Highlanders beat Moana Pasifika

Winger Tim Ryan scored two tries to lift his tally to five tries in his last two matches as the Queensland Reds beat the Christchurch-based Crusaders 33-28 on Saturday in Super Rugby Pacific.

Ryan scored three tries last weekend in the Reds’ 41-34 loss to the Auckland-based Blues and added a double as the Reds came out on top in another high-scoring match against the defending champions.

The Reds had the upper hand in the first half and led 14-7 at halftime and 21-7 after 42 minutes. But the Crusaders stormed back into the match in the second half and came close to a comeback win.

Ryan’s second try helped the Reds hold on for their first win in Christchurch in 25 years.

“It’s massive,” Reds captain Liam Wright said. “The boys really banded together after a season full of close losses. We knew if we could take it to them early, they would come back but we did a great job to hold on. Some big moments there from key players.”