There were promising signs early their Christchurch hoodoo was behind them, and their run of first week Super Rugby finals exits would come to an end. But once the Crusaders found their groove, ultimately the Queensland Reds proved their own worst enemy – outmuscled, outclassed and out-disciplined in a 32-12 qualifying final defeat. Simple errors cost coach Les Kiss’ men early on, with an unforced knock on inside their rivals’ five-metre line spoiling a clear chance, before Scott Barrett forced a mistake at the other end of the field to score himself. The Crusades’ scrum was completely dominant, with their forward strength obvious throughout - despite a late consolation try from a rolling maul to Josh Nasser.