Rusty Reds outclassed by Crusaders

THERE are two certainties in Super 15 rugby. One is that playing a Canterbury side in Christchurch is never easy.

THERE are two certainties in Super 15 rugby. One is that playing a Canterbury side in Christchurch is never easy.

The other is that when the Crusaders have played three games in the past three weeks and you have played just one in the past 7, you are starting behind the eight ball.

The 2013 schedule had the Reds snookered even before kick-off on Saturday night and the only way they were realistic chances of progressing in the tournament was to prevent the home side any early momentum.

That didn't happen, and with the minimal and slow possession the Reds were able to secure in the first half, the Crusaders ensured it was always going to be a catch-up night for the visitors. Catching up in Christchurch is tough.

A rusty side will begin to find it's rhythm as the game progresses, and the Reds looked to be doing that early in the second half but almost against the run of play, the Crusaders scored a brilliant try and you just knew this was one of those games where a miracle comeback was out of the question.

While this was a good Reds squad, it didn't quite possess the class across the field of their opposition and ultimately, class told. It's not much fun when you're down by 19 points with 15 minutes to go and Richie McCaw runs on as a replacement.

It was a game where the score blew out to a degree but in his four-season reign at Ballymore, Ewen McKenzie has not had to sit through many blowouts. He's established a pride that is dependent on the moment, rather than what the scoreboard is telling you and while his era ends in slightly disappointing fashion, he leaves Ballymore knowing that he joins Bob Templeton and John Connolly as the pivotal coaching figures in the history of Queensland rugby.

What Templeton and Connolly could never have been sure of when they departed was that there'd be playing personnel guaranteed to carry on from the foundation they'd built. There was a season or two left in the John Eales' of this world, but as was proven in Connolly's case the next five or so years after his departure were notable more for disappointments than highlights.

That won't be the case after McKenzie's exit.

The announcement last week of the re-signing of forwards James Slipper, Rob Simmons and Liam Gill didn't make front page news but from a Queensland rugby perspective it was enormously significant.

Despite the departure of the coach, the systems and the managerial personnel that remain in place are attractive enough for young but experienced players like that trio to stick around in the hope of creating as close to a dynasty as you are going to get in the professional rugby environment.

With James Horwill, Will Genia, Quade Cooper and other influential players set for several more seasons in the Reds jersey, there'll be no shortage of success.

Last week, Horwill joked that it would be nice to emulate the Maroons rugby league team by winning eight Super Rugby titles in a row. Never say never, but that will never happen.

That the Reds have made three finals series on the trot and taken the big chocolates once is pretty darn good. On Saturday night the 2013 Reds weren't at their best, but as hard as it is for fans to sometimes cop, there are days when the opposition is better.

The Crusaders are, and always have been, a great team, and while disappointing, it's no great shame to be outplayed by them.