Chiefs brush off Crusaders
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The Chiefs cruised to a 40-16 bonus point victory against the Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday to maintain their unbeaten start to the Super Rugby season.
The home side scored five tries in a dominant performance, leaving the Crusaders with just four log points from one win in their first three games.
The visitors got their noses in front early through two penalties from the boot of Colin Slade, and things got even tougher for the Chiefs when left wing James Lowe was shown a yellow card for taking a man out in the air.
However, despite that setback the home side would be next to strike as a surge into the Crusaders 22 was finished off by Sonny Bill Williams who swivelled to plant the ball on the line for the first try of the game.
Shortly after Lowe came back on it was the Crusaders who were reduced to 14 men, with Matt Todd shown a yellow card for a very similar offence.
The Chiefs took full advantage as they marched into the Crusaders 22 and it was scrumhalf Augustine Pulu who forced his way over for their second try to put them 12-6 up.
The teams exchanged penalties before the Chiefs landed another big blow with their third try which came from a line-out on halfway.
After sending it wide a neat kick ahead was won back in the Crusaders 22 and after winning quick ball Sam Cane spun a long pass out to Williams who put his centre partner Charlie Ngatai over to take their lead to 22-9 at half-time.
The Crusaders were first to strike in the second half when vetern scrumhalf Andy Ellis snuck over for their first try to cap an extended period of pressure and bring them back within striking distance.
The Chiefs hit back with two penalties from Cruden and then went after the bonus point which came when Tom Marshall forced his way over in the corner after a suicidal quick tap by the Crusaders in their own 22.
It got even worse for the visitors, when another turnover on halfway saw Lowe race away for their fifth try and despite a late yellow card for Damian McKenzie the Crusaders had no answer in the final stages.
Man of the match: There were a number of candidates in the Chiefs backline, but the stand-out was Sonny Bill Williams who created so much for those around him.
The scorers:
For the Chiefs:
Tries: Williams, Pulu, Ngatai, Marshall, Lowe
Cons: Cruden 3
Pens: Cruden 3
For the Crusaders:
Try: Ellis
Con: Slade
Pens: Slade 3
Yellow cards: James Lowe (Chiefs, 7 mins – Illegal tackle) Matt Todd (Crusaders, 21 mins – Illegal tackle) Damian McKenzie (Chiefs, 77 mins – Illegal tackle)
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Bryce Heem, 13 Charlie Ngatai, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Augustine Pulu, 8 Liam Messam (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Michael Fitzgerald, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Matt Symons, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Siate Tokolahi, 18 Mitchell Graham, 19 Johan Bardoul, 20 Sean Polwart, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Seta Tamanivalu.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Robbie Fruean, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Richie McCaw, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Alex Hodgman, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Nathaniel Apa, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Nick Briant (New Zealand), Shane McDermott (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
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