The Reds have given Australia its biggest morale boost in years with a determined Super Rugby victory over seven-time champions Crusaders, newspapers said on Sunday.

The Reds won their first Super Rugby Final 18-13 in the professional era - their last was in 1995 - over the Crusaders before a record crowd of 52,113 for an Australian provincial match in Brisbane on Saturday.

Wallaby scrumhalf Will Genia clinched victory for the Reds with a 65-metre solo try out of nothing 12 minutes from time to break a 13-13 deadlock with Super Rugby's greatest team.

"This victory was the culmination of a sensational season for the Reds, who succeeded in revitalising Australian rugby in a crucial World Cup year by playing with flair, bravado and never losing the faith," The Sun-Herald said.

"Although playing vastly experienced opposition who are accustomed to winning Super titles, the young Reds outfit was not intimidated by the moment.

"And, after some jittery moments in the first half, got its act together after the break for the first Australian Super Rugby triumph in seven years."

Former Wallaby hooker Brendan Cannon, writing in the Sunday Telegraph, said Australia's future was bright after the Reds' performances this season.

"In the clutch moments last [Saturday] night, the Queensland Reds ensured the future of Australian rugby is burning brighter than ever," Cannon said.

"And it's not just in Queensland where people are dancing in the streets, this was a victory that could lead a rugby renaissance right around the country.

"What the Reds have done is lay down the blueprint for an exciting brand of winning rugby for everyone to follow.

"The Reds have built a fantastic new prototype of attacking, entertaining football."

The Sunday Telegraph added: "Queensland - and most of Australia - were sharing the love for Genia last night after a miracle solo try helped secure the Reds a stunning Super Rugby title over the Crusaders.

"The Crusaders were typically ruthless, but as they have done all year, the Reds backed their adventurous, heart-in-mouth footy and the buzzing crowd was ecstatic when Genia provided the match-winner with the clock winding down."

Brisbane's Courier Mail newspaper also singled out Genia for special praise.

"That Genia should be at the summit for Australia's first Super Rugby title since 2004 could not have been more fitting because he suffered on the darkest day in Reds history four years ago when they were embarrassed 92-3 [by the Northern Bulls] in Pretoria," it said.

"Genia was harassed and harried all night by the seven-time Kiwi champions but when the big moment arrived he had the poise to take it."

AFP