Cheetahs crushed by Reds

The Reds ran in six tries to extend the Cheetahs' miserable start to the Super Rugby season with a 41-8 thrashing at Suncorp Stadium.

Rod Davies and Will Genia both grabbed braces while Digby Ioane and Saia Faingaa also crossed the try-line in Brisbane.

The Queensland outfit have now scored 94 points in their last two matches and have established themselves at the top of the Australian conference.

It took until 16 minutes in for the Reds to open the scoring as they spotted a small gap in the Cheetahs defence 20 minutes out.

The ball was then played back inside to Ione and the 25-year-old wing cantered over unopposed for the score.

Quade Cooper had previously tried to get the Reds on the board but the Wallabies fly-half, who was hot and cold on the day, was off target twice.

Spark

The try sparked the home team into life and they then went about their usual attacking business.

Cooper broke free on halfway before handing off to paceman Davies, who raced away for another try.

Davies did not have to wait long for his second of the match as he beat three tacklers in a tight space on the right to cross, giving the Reds a 24-3 lead at the half-hour mark.

And when Faingaa touched down after a pick-and-go, the contest seemed to be over before half-time, especially as Cheetahs skipper Wilhelm Steenkamp had been yellow-carded for a high tackle.

The pace slowed after the interval, with the Reds perhaps having one eye on their upcoming trip to the Lions, but Genia kept the scoreboard ticking over.

The 23-year-old picked up a loose ball and ran 60 metres to score their fifth try in the 58th minute, shortly after vomiting on the pitch after a big hit.

Steenkamp, now back on the field, grabbed a consolation for the visitors after a move involving replacements Coenie Oosthuisen and Kabamba Floors, but Cooper completed the rout with his second try late on.