The Crusaders withstood a second-half surge from the Waratahs to clinch a 41-22 bonus-point win in Sydney on Sunday. MARIETTE ADAMS reports.
It was by no means a classic encounter, but the result sees the Crusaders chalk up their 10th successive win against Australian opposition, the first team to do so in Super Rugby history. This victory also takes the seven-time champions back to the top of the New Zealand conference, and the overall Australasian group log.
The Waratahs played well in patches, but will lament poor set-piece defence and their inability to finish scoring opportunities in the final third.
Tries by George Bridge and David Havili, both originating from lineout possession, sent the Crusaders into a handy 12-0 lead. Somehow the Waratahs found themselves inside the Crusaders’ 22 and captain Michael Hooper barged over from close range, but again the Crusaders returned the favour shortly after.
In a breathless passage of play that saw the Crusaders go close before the Waratahs cleared, lock Scott Barrett launched a counter-attack from the back with a scintillating run, resulting in a try for centre Tim Bateman as the visitors led 19-10 at the break.
It didn’t take long for the Crusaders to strike in the second half, with Bateman bagging a second. But to their credit, the Waratahs improved thereafter, scoring two quick tries to reduce the deficit to four.
Unfortunately for the hosts, the Crusaders didn’t drop their guard. Flyhalf Mitchell Hunt slotted a penalty, followed by tries from replacements Bryn Hall and Ben Funnell in the last 10 minutes that saw their team come away with maximum log points.
Waratahs – Tries: Michael Hooper, Jake Gordan, Taqele Naiyaravoro. Conversions: Reece Robinson (2). Penalty: Robinson.
Crusaders – Tries: George Bridge, David Havili, Tim Batement (2), Bryn Hall, Ben Funnell. Conversions: Mitchell Hunt (4). Penalty: Hunt.
Waratahs – 15 Cam Clark, 14 Reece Robinson, 13 Israel Folau, 12 David Horwitz, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Mack Mason, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Jed Holloway, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tolu Latu, 1 Tom Robertson.
Subs: 16 Damien Fitzpatrick, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 David Lolohea, 19 David McDuling, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Irae Simone, 23 Taqele Naiyaravoro.
Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Digby Ioane, 13 Tim Bateman, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitchell Hunt, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Whetu Douglas, 7 Matt Todd, 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 Bryn Hall, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Photo: Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images
