Quade gets revenge as Rebels run rings around Reds

Melbourne playmaker Quade Cooper has enjoyed a glorious return with a leading role in the Rebels’ dominant Super Rugby win over Queensland.

In his first Super Rugby match against the Reds since his acrimonious departure, Cooper set up two tries as the Rebels secured a 32-13 win at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday.

The win lifts Melbourne to the top of the Australian conference following the Waratahs  loss to the Sunwolves on Friday.

Cooper made a huge impact against his old team by slotting a penalty after just two minutes.

The Rebels dominated territory and possession in the game’s opening half but the two teams traded penalties for a 6-all scoreline nearing the break.

With the halftime siren looming, a pinpoint cross-field kick by Cooper allowed Jack Maddocks to outjump Hamish Stewart and give the Rebels an 11-6 advantage.

After the break, the Rebels capitalized on an early Reds penalty to again hold the territory advantage with Anaru Rangi peeling off the back of a maul to score.

Reds made another error, this time a dropped ball led to a third try for the Rebels in the 47th minute.

Cooper pounced on the loose ball near the halfway line, twice soccering through before Maddocks won the race to extend the lead to 25-6.

The home team thought they’d got one back when Brandon Paenga-Amosa crashed over from close range but a TMO review after the try had been awarded detected a knock-on by Reds halfback Tate McDermott.

The Reds did eventually get a try when Taniela Tupou scored late in the game but the scoring wasn’t done with Rebels substitute Rob Leota capping a 15-phase move to score in the final minute to secure a bonus point.

Fittingly Cooper ended the action with a conversion, giving him a personal points haul of 12 with two penalties and three conversions.

Rebels coach David Wessels praised the efforts of his No 10 and fellow ex-Reds player Will Genia in helping secure the victory.

“They were instrumental tonight in controlling the game and the tempo of the game,” Wessels said.

Reds coach Brad Thorn said his team simply never got going in the match, a situation that was created by their opponents good play.

“Most of the first half we were sort of parked down in our own half and when you give teams those opportunities,they’re going to make you pay for them ” Thorn said.

“They did well considering they came back from Africa — it’s always a tough game — and they did what they had to do to get the win.

“In the end they won really well.”

Melbourne host the Sunwolves next week while the Reds are at home against the Stormers.