Match Reports

The Reds have won the Investec Super rugby competition, beating the brave Crusaders 18-13 in a tight match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

It seemed to be a game too far for the Crusaders, who have endured so much this season - just like their loyal supporters, hundreds of whom greeted the team's arrival at Christchurch airport on Sunday.

Tries to Will Genia and Digby Ioane hurt the Crusaders who lacked a bit of sharpness, perhaps not surprising considering their travel schedule lately.

A brilliant individual try by Dan Carter, which he converted, put the Crusaders 7-3 up following a Quade Cooper penalty.

Cooper kicked another penalty to narrow the deficit and the Crusaders took a one-point lead into the second half.

Although the Crusaders won plenty of possession and territory, mistakes meant they couldn't build pressure and gradually the Reds got on top.

Genia and Ioane took advantage of rare defensive lapses to score, with Carter adding two penalties in the second half.

Big lock Brad Thorn got over the line but the TMO ruled he hadn't grounded it. That was the one and only chance in the second half, although it may have been a different story if Sean Maitland had caught a difficult ball when on the fly.