Reds clean up at Super Rugby awards

Updated July 28, 2012 08:31:34

Queensland half-back Will Genia has been rewarded for his dominant form in a Reds jersey, winning Australia's Super Rugby player of the year award for the second season running.

And his team-mates' performances did not go unnoticed with the Reds also claiming the Australian team of the year award for winning the Australian conference.

Genia claimed the award by a single vote from Reds backrower Scott Higginbotham after starring in Queensland's final three regular season matches, before the defending champions were dumped from the first week of the finals by South African side the Sharks.

Genia joins former Wallabies flanker George Smith and ex-Reds full-back Chris Latham as the third player to win back-to-back player of the year awards.

Despite failing to defend their Super Rugby crown, coach Ewen McKenzie was also named coach of the year after leading the Reds to a shock finals berth.

After a mid-season form slump, the Reds won their last six games of the season to take advantage of the Brumbies' final-game capitulation at the hands of the Blues.

It was the fifth time McKenzie has been crowned coach of the year - a Super Rugby record - after he won three awards with New South Wales before claiming back-to-back gongs with the Reds.

Dom Shipperley made it four wins out of five categories for Queensland when his 80-metre effort against the Melbourne Rebels was named try of the year, while Brumbies outside back Joseph Tomane scooped the rookie of the year award.

Tags: sport, rugby-union, brisbane-4000, qld, australia

First posted July 26, 2012 14:28:58

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Reds get clean bill of health for final

Updated July 3, 2011 14:43:00

Queensland will field a near full-strength team in Saturday night's Super Rugby decider against the Crusaders after the Reds emerged from their semi-final success unscathed.

The Reds booked a home final at Lang Park with a 30-13 victory over the Blues on Saturday night, outplaying the Aucklanders four tries to one.

The Crusaders clinched their spot in the final by outclassing the Stormers 29-10 in Cape Town to become the first team in 11 years to win a play-off on foreign soil.

Queensland will have a major advantage in hosting the match as the nomadic Cantabrians, who have played away from earthquake-ravaged Christchurch all season, will arrive in Brisbane on Monday night jet-lagged.

Helping the Reds' cause is that no injuries were sustained in their semi-final with coach Ewen McKenzie on Sunday reporting a "clean bill of health".

Number eight Radike Samo was replaced just before half-time with a head knock but has been cleared to play the final to ensure no changes to the 22 will be required.

Winger Luke Morahan (hamstring) is the only player from the small group of sidelined Reds in with a chance of returning for the final.

McKenzie said he was not surprised by the Crusaders' "ruthless display" against the Stormers.

"They are big game performers and I thought they played a brilliant game," he said.

"They've timed their run perfectly and it will make for a great occasion.

"I've made the point all along that the teams that get to the end are the teams that can attack and defend well - the Crusaders are one team and I think we've shown that.

"The Stormers have a had a great season particularly in defence but they struggled to breach the line against the Crusaders."

- AAP

Tags: sport, rugby-union, super-14, australia, qld, brisbane-4000, new-zealand

First posted July 3, 2011 14:27:00

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