The Crusaders overturned a 19-point deficit to clinch a thrilling 33-24 win over the Blues in Christchurch on Friday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
We may only be four rounds into Super Rugby, but the Crusaders have quickly established themselves as the comeback kings. Having already secured come-from-behind wins against the Highlanders and Reds, this time the Saders scored 28 unanswered points during the final 35 minutes to record a remarkable win.
Heading into this clash, the Blues had only managed to win one of their last 21 games away from home against Kiwi opposition, and this hoodoo came back to haunt them as they lost their way after a dominant first-half performance.
By contrast, the Crusaders have to be commended for the character they displayed to battle back from trailing 24-5 early in the second half, to clinch a stunning victory that maintains their undefeated record in the competition.
The Blues started proceedings with real intent and enjoyed 89% of possession and 81% territory in the opening 15 minutes. With that in mind, they would have been disappointed to have only one try to show for their efforts during that time, with only George Moala dotting down.
That frustration would have been exacerbated as the Saders worked their way back into the clash and then scored from one of their few attacking opportunities as winger Manasa Mataele went over in the corner to reduce the deficit to two points.
However, the Blues continued to dominate on attack and defence, with some patient build-up play eventually enabling Moala and impressive scrumhalf Augustine Pulu to go over for tries that sent the visitors into a deserved 21-5 lead at the break.
The half-time stats certainly told a story, with the Crusaders having missed 16 tackles to the solitary one from the Blues, who returned a tackle success rate of 94%. In addition, the Blues completed 381m to 120, and beat 16 defenders to three.
Piers Francis extended the Blues’ lead with a penalty soon after the restart, but a bit of hope was restored for the Saders when Pete Samu was awarded a contentious try from the back of a lineout drive that suddenly reduced the arrears to 12 points.
Just a few minutes later and it was the turn of another Crusaders replacement, Ben Funnell, to barrel over from a driving maul to help make it only a five-point ball game. At that stage, the alarm bells would have been ringing for the Blues, considering that the Saders have tended to finish strongly this season.
Indeed, the Crusaders did it again as they rode a wave of momentum in front of their home crowd, with Mitchell Hunt darting over for a well-taken try in the 72nd minute, while Mitch Drummond scored with the final play of the game to complete another incredible comeback.
Crusaders – Tries: Manasa Mataele, Pete Samu, Ben Funnell, Mitchell Hunt, Mitch Drummond. Conversions: Hunt (4).
Blues – Tries: George Moala (2), Augustine Pulu. Conversions: Piers Francis (3). Penalty: Francis.
Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Jed Brown, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Sean Wainui.
Blues – 15 Michael Collins, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Piers Francis, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jimmy Tupou, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Gerard Cowley-Tuioti, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 James Parsons (c), 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Subs: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Murphy Taramai, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Ihaia West, 23 TJ Faiane.
Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
