The Crusaders outlined their title credentials with a thumping 38-9 win over the Reds in Saturday’s Super Rugby play-off in Christchurch. The first round of the post-season saw the 2011 Super Rugby champions bow out of the finals at the first attempt on the back of a clinical Crusaders performance. The match – which was a repeat of the 2011 grand final – saw the winners score four tries to none, with flyhalf Dan Carter starring. Carter crossed for a try and kicked three conversions and three penalties, giving him a match haul of 20 points. Ryan Crotty bagged two tries for the Crusaders while captain Richie McCaw came off the bench in the second half, in his first appearance for the season. McCaw has sat out the majority of 2013 due to a self-enforced sabbatical from the sport, but the experience of the 32-year-old, who has won 116 caps for New Zealand, could prove invaluable during the remainder of the play-offs. Crotty crashed over to score the first try of the match, after Carter broke free and found him in space. That gave the Crusaders a 10-0 lead and although Quade Cooper responded with a penalty, Carter scored his try before the break to give the winners a commanding lead. Sam Whitelock instigated the try, charging through the Reds defence, and the ball passed through several sets of hands before Carter crossed on the left. The punishment for the Reds continued after the half-time break as Tom Marshall scored a try in the 52nd minute and just eight minutes later Crotty grabbed his double. Carter was again the instigator, with an excellent run and pass finished off well by the impressive Crotty. Cooper finished with three penalties for the Reds but his efforts were of little significance in the match, as the Crusaders’ attempts to win an eighth Super Rugby title received a significant boost. The Crusaders have never lost a play-off match at home and have now notched five consecutive wins. They will travel to either Hamilton or Pretoria – pending on the result in Sunday’s play-off between the Brumbies and the Cheetahs – next weekend. The match was Reds coach Ewen McKenzie’s last in charge of the team. McKenzie spent four years as Reds coach and led them to their first ever Super Rugby title two years ago. Crusaders 38 Reds 9
Tries: Crotty 2, Carter, Marshall
Con: Carter 3
Pen: Carter 3, Taylor
Pen: Cooper 3
HT: 21-6
Article source: http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/South-Gower-rugby-team-tackles-charity-challenge/story-19543744-detail/story.html
Crusaders crush Reds in New Zealand
No comments:
Post a Comment