Reds roll over Blues

Ioane makes try-scorer return to action

Last updated: 27th April 2012  

Luke Braid Auckland Blues v Queensland Reds Eden Park Super Rugby Apr 2012

Luke Braid: scored Auckland's solitary try

Digby Ioane Queensland Reds v Auckland Blues Eden Park Super Rugby Apr 2012

Digby Ioane: early try set Queensland on way to victory

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Digby Ioane marked his 50th appearance for Queensland with a try as the Reds claimed a 23-11 win over the Auckland Blues at Eden Park.

Ioane, returning from a five-week suspension and playing out of position in the centre, crossed in the early stages and full-back Luke Morahan soon added a second as the Reds raced into a 12-0 lead.

The Blues, who lost for the eigthth time in nine matches this season, responded with a try from Luke Braid in the 26th minute and had trimmed their deficit to 15-8 at half-time.

But Queensland scored again four minutes after the break, winger Dom Shipperley profiting from scrum-half Will Genia's sublime, looping pass from to canter over in the right-hand corner.

And any hopes of a Blues' comeback were ended by a series of handling errors. Fly-half Gareth Anscombe missed a penalty kick, with just over 20 minutes left, that would have brought the home side within a converted try, and the watertight Reds defence brooked no further addition to the scoreboard.

The Reds' victory keeps them in the hunt for top spot in the Australian conference and an automatic play-off berth with just over half the season remaining.

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