Crusaders pay the penalty

Will Genia scores for the Reds

Queensland Reds extended their lead at the top of the Super Rugby standings to four points after securing a last-gasp 17-16 victory over Crusaders at Suncorp Stadium.

Captain Richie McCaw was the villain for the visitors, his infringement at the breakdown allowing Quade Cooper to step up and boot an 80th-minute penalty between the posts.

In front of crowd of 48,301, which broke the previous mark by more than 6000, the Crusaders led 10-7 at half-time and looked to be home and dry thanks to two Dan Carter penalties in the final 11 minutes.

But the Reds continued fighting until the dying minutes and extended their winning streak at Suncorp to 12 games to stay at the Super Rugby summit.

Brilliant

Taking some shine from the Reds' brilliant win was the likely long-term loss of flanker Beau Robinson, who was forced from the field with half an hour to play after dislocating his elbow.

Sonny Bill Williams made an inauspicious start, spilling the first pass to come his way, and was kept relatively quiet for the duration, under heavy attention from the wary Reds backs.

There was plenty of excitement in the first half as both sides attacked with speed before the cost of so much effort was paid in the second half, with energy levels clearly lagging for both sides.

The Crusaders had the first points from Carter's boot and looked certain to add to their score 10 minutes in when Tom Marshall went bursting through, but the Reds makeshift final line of defence stopped him with Will Genia pulling off a try-saving tackle and Cooper forcing the turnover by pinning the ball at the breakdown.

After struggling terribly with their lineout through the first quarter of the match, the Reds' first points came from the throw, as James Horwill collected a long throw from Saia Faingaa and offloaded to Genia, whose flat pass put Ben Tapuai in untouched.

The Reds had a chance to move further in front around the half-hour mark, but Cooper hammered his attempt into the upright and shortly after it was the visitors adding to their tally.

Dan Carter made a crafty strip on Anthony Faingaa and was able to dish the ball wide for Robbie Freuean, who galloped downfield, claiming the try-assist after linking up with supporting winger Brent Ward.

Patience

Trailing 10-7 at the break, the Reds made the start they needed in the second half, as Genia spotted a gap in the Crusaders' line and went scooting through, running away from the cover defence to touch down in the right-hand corner.

Carter brought the visitors to within one point with 11 minutes to play, knocking over his kick from straight in front and ensuring an tense finish for the record crowd.

Increasingly, it was the Crusaders on the attack as time ran out, and with the Queensland side out on their feet, Carter put his side in front with his second penalty conversion in a few minutes.

But the Reds found a second wind and, after moving into field position, they showed patience, completing multiple phases before McCaw was deemed to have infringed.