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The Queensland Reds inflicted a heavy defeat on the Canterbury Crusaders on Friday with a stunning 41-20 Super 14 victory.
The Reds claimed a four-try bonus point victory to break an 11-year drought against the faltering seven-time Super rugby champions.
Wallaby fly-half Quade Cooper was the Reds' hero with 31 points from two tries, three conversions and five penalty goals.
The Crusaders, sorely missing the leadership of All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw, suffered their worst defeat in six years since crashing out 43-19 to the New South Wales Waratahs at home.
It was the Reds' first victory over the Crusaders since their 36-23 win in Christchurch in 1999 and their first at home since 1998.
The champion New Zealanders turned in one of the worst performances in years, conceding 24 turnovers, 17 handling errors and missing 23 tackles.
"We came over here with high hopes, but we just weren't there," lamented Crusaders' skipper Kieran Read. "We just gave away too many penalties and dropped too much ball."
But it was a magical night for the much-maligned Reds, who have been the worst performing Australian province for the last three Super 14 seasons, and an early indication of better times ahead under new coach Ewen McKenzie.
Queensland's triumph was tempered by the likely long-term loss of skipper and Wallaby lock James Horwill with suspected damaged knee ligaments.
