Ewen McKenzie reserved the most praise for his team's defensive effort after Queensland Reds were crowned Super Rugby kings.
The Australian franchise overcame Canterbury-based Crusaders 18-13 to lift the southern hemisphere title for the first time.
Two blistering tries from Digby Ioane and Will Genia saw the Reds grab victory in Brisbane, however it was their defensive resilience which pleased McKenzie most.
"We knew it was going to be very intense for the first 20 minutes and it was a matter of not conceding points, which is pretty much what happened, and we knew that we had to could keep pushing through and keep at it," said McKenzie, Australia's Super Rugby Coach of the Year.
"We were confident across 80 minutes that we had great impact off our bench and we were confident that fatigue would play a role."
With the Reds suffering a 16-year drought since their last title, victory in the final capped off a record-breaking season for the Queenslanders.
"I think the team and the organisation deserve some sort of recognition for the journey," he said.
"It has been a long journey within a very short space of time and the way you get recognition is by winning."
Fittingly it was an incredible solo try from Australian Player of the Year Genia that separated the two teams and put the icing on the Reds' 2011 season.
Reds, who suffered just three losses all season, re-wrote the history books and re-invigorated the Queensland Rugby community.
"You always dream about what it would feel like to win a championship and when it does happen it's sort of a surreal experience," said captain James Horwill.
"To do that in a short amount of time is pretty special, and to be a part of that, it's pretty cool to be honest."
The Australian franchise overcame Canterbury-based Crusaders 18-13 to lift the southern hemisphere title for the first time.
Two blistering tries from Digby Ioane and Will Genia saw the Reds grab victory in Brisbane, however it was their defensive resilience which pleased McKenzie most.
"We knew it was going to be very intense for the first 20 minutes and it was a matter of not conceding points, which is pretty much what happened, and we knew that we had to could keep pushing through and keep at it," said McKenzie, Australia's Super Rugby Coach of the Year.
"We were confident across 80 minutes that we had great impact off our bench and we were confident that fatigue would play a role."
With the Reds suffering a 16-year drought since their last title, victory in the final capped off a record-breaking season for the Queenslanders.
"I think the team and the organisation deserve some sort of recognition for the journey," he said.
Fittingly it was an incredible solo try from Australian Player of the Year Genia that separated the two teams and put the icing on the Reds' 2011 season.
Reds, who suffered just three losses all season, re-wrote the history books and re-invigorated the Queensland Rugby community.
"You always dream about what it would feel like to win a championship and when it does happen it's sort of a surreal experience," said captain James Horwill.
"To do that in a short amount of time is pretty special, and to be a part of that, it's pretty cool to be honest."
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