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The Queensland Reds beat the Crusaders in Brisbane 18-13, winning their first Super Rugby title in the professional era and the first Australian team to win the title since the Brumbies in 2004.

In the battle of fly halfs, Dan Carter of the Cursaders did finish with more points, scoring all 13 points of the Crusaders with a try, a conversion and two penalties. The Crusaders were up 10-6 early in the second half, but a try from Digbe Ioane put the Reds ahead 13-10. Dan Carter scored a penalty to make it 13-13. Scrum-Half Will Genia (player of the year), 22 times capped for the Wallabies, produced the magic moment in the 68th minute. Using Quade Cooper as a decoy, Genia breached the Crusaders defense and scored the winning try.

This was the Reds’ first Super Rugby final in the Pro era, with their last semi Final coming in 2001. For the Crusaders, the usual powerhouse of Super Rugby over the years with 7 titles, made their first final match since 2008. Their nomadic season which spent the entire season away from their home after the tragic earthquake were about 30 minutes away from a dreamy end, but eventually succumbed to to the two best players in Super Rugby this year.