Crusaders run riot against lowLanders
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders stretched their unbeaten home record to 33 matches when they dismissed an error-prone Highlanders team in Christchurch on Friday.
The hosts outscored the visitors by five tries to two, for a 33-13 win in this southern derby.
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The 10-time title winners invited more than 200 former players to pre- and post-match functions in their hometown .
The current players turned on the style as their predecessors looked on, as they bossed the South Island derby.
The Crusaders scored four first-half tries in front of an ecstatic home crowd, capitalising on some woeful Highlanders defence.
The visitors’ task was made more difficult when Shannon Frizzell was sin-binned early after the break for a tip-tackle on Braydon Ennor.
The Highlanders lifted and were rewarded with a try to Jona Nareki, but Sione Havili put the result beyond doubt when he crossed the line with six minutes left on the clock.
“It’s very pleasing. We were just looking to put pressure on them and we achieved that,” Crusaders No.8 Tom Sanders said.
“We got a few over the line and got the result we needed.”
Highlanders centre Josh Ioane said it was difficult to recover from the Crusaders’ try-scoring burst in the opening 40 minutes.
“It was tough, they came out hissing in that first half but we were better in the second half,” he said.
“But early on, if you give them an inch they’ll punish you.”
Man of the match: You can always look at strike runners like George Bridge (80-plus metres) and David Havili (100-plus metres). Hard-working forwards like Codie Taylor and Tom Christie are also worth a mention. Our award goes to ever-improving Crusaders flank Cullen Grace – who made 62 metres in 11 runs, made 12 tackles and won two turnovers.
The scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Taylor, Taylor, Ennor, Bridge, S Havili
Cons: D Havili, Hall 2, Drummond
For the Highlanders:
Tries: Collins, Nareki
Pen: Ioane
Yellow card: Shannon Frizell (Highlanders, 45 – foul play, tip tackle)
Teams
Crusaders: 15 David Havili (captain), 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Tom Sanders, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Isi Tuungafasi, 18 George Bower, 19 Ethan Roots, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Leicester Faingaanuku.
Highlanders: 15 Michael Collins, 14 Kirisi Kuridrani, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Josh Ioane, 11 Jona Nareki, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Marino Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 James Lentjes (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Josh Dickson, 4 Jesse Parete, 3 Siate Tokolahi, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Ayden Johnstone.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Daniel Lienert-Brown, 18 Conan O’Donnell, 19 Jack Whetton, 20 Teariki Ben-Nicholas, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Teihorangi Walden, 23 Josh McKay.
Referee: Mike Fraser (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand), James Doleman (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Hart (New Zealand)
