Reds run continues

The Reds claimed their fifth win from six Super Rugby games this season with a comeback victory over the Lions in Johannesburg.

The Australians overcame the first-half sin-binning of James Slipper and captain James Horwill and an 11-0 early deficit.

They had fallen behind thanks to a try from Michael Killian and the boot of the inconsistent Andre Pretorius, but scores from Luke Morahan, Quade Cooper and Digby Ioane, the second two coming after the break, saw them to victory.

Jaco Taute scored the Lions' only other try, but Mike Harris' 15 points proved decisive at Ellis Park.

The visitors were dealt a blow in the seventh minute when Slipper was sent to the bin after a dangerous tackle on Bandise Maku.

Pretorius missed the penalty, but made amends moments later to put the Lions in front.

At the other end, Cooper was again wasteful from right in front, with the hosts then going on to score the opening try of the game in the 17th minute.

Waylon Murray's fine inside pass from the right was taken by Killian, whose angled run help him break through the visiting defence for an eighth Super Rugby score.

Pretorius missed the conversion and also his third kick in four attempts moments later as the Lions led 8-0 after the first quarter.

Then came the second yellow card of the half when Horwill was penalised for a cynical foul after illegally knocking the ball out of Jano Vermaak's hands.

Pretorius nailed the subsequent penalty and despite having a man advantage, the home side managed to concede a first try.

Creator

Cooper was the creator as a well crafted pass saw him fool three defenders and send Morahan away.

Harris was entrusted with the kicking duties and added the conversion followed by a penalty, but a near-50 metre kick from Pretorius saw his side into a 14-10 half-time lead.

Straight from the restart, Ioane made a hash of an up-and-under allowing Taute to capitalise and run in easily.

Pretorius again messed up the conversion and then found himself having to defend with Cooper responding almost instantly after some excellent side-stepping saw him dance through.

Harris converted and the full-back maintained his excellent kicking percentage soon after, sending over back-to-back long-range penalties which helped put the men from Brisbane ahead for the first time.

Ioane crossed for another converted try, with late penalties by Pretorius and Rory Kockott earning the South African strugglers the consolation of a bonus point.