VIDEO: Crusaders steal late draw
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders required an injury-time try and conversion to snatch a 21-all draw with the Sharks in Christchurch on Friday.
The result means the Crusaders were unable to equal their record of 26-straight wins at home..
However, the determination to steal the late draw at least put a positive spin on Kieran Read’s record 150th Super Rugby match.
Also, the defending-champion Crusaders outscored the Sharks by three tries to none, winning them a try-scoring bonus point.
“It showed character for the boys to be in there and build phases, but at the same time we made a lot of mistakes,” Crusaders back Mitch Hunt said.
The Sharks nabbed the first points with a Bosch penalty, but the home side soon responded through a Codie Taylor converted try.
The Sharks continued to notch up the points through another two penalties, putting them up 9-7 at half-time.
Bosch’s accuracy with the boot continued to pay dividends, extending the lead to 12-7 soon after the restart.
But Jack Goodhue powered through some fierce defence to narrow the gap to 15-14.
Bosch continued to kick three-pointers, but the Crusaders staged a late rally, with Hunt’s late converted try a fortunate leveller for the Crusaders.
Sharks captain Louis Schreuder was the more disappointed of the two captains.
“I’m very pleased with the boys performance, although we were a bit unlucky not to get the win,” Schreuder said.
“It was a mental approach that was the difference, facing the Crusaders in Christchurch is a difficult challenge and I think we got it spot on, the boys were up for it.”
Man of the match: Kieran Reid was inspirational, as expected, while Jordan Taufua and Matt Todd also put in big shifts. The Du Preez brothers, Jean-Luc and Dan, were physical for the Sharks, while Ruan Botha and Philip van der Walt also produced huge workrates. However, our award goes to Sharks flyhalf Curwin Bosch – who, while being far from flawless, kept the Sharks in the lead for a large part of the game with his goal-kicking.
The scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Taylor, Goodhue, Hunt
Cons: Hunt 3
For the Sharks:
Pens: Bosch 7
- Continue below video …
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5zzo5ToROpU
RECAP: Crusaders v Sharks
Did you miss any of the action? Recap all the drama here!
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Mitch Hunt, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd (captain), 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Mitchell Dunshea, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Isi Tu’ungafasi, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Brett Cameron, 23 Tim Bateman.
Sharks: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Andre Esterhuizen, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Curwin Bosch, 9 Louis Schreuder (captain), 8 Daniel du Preez, 7 Jean-Luc du Preez, 6 Philip van der Walt, 5 Ruan Botha, 4 Ruben van Heerden, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 1 Thomas du Toit.
Replacements: 16 Armand van der Merwe, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 John-Hubert Meyer, 19 Hyron Andrews, 20 Jacques Vermeulen, 21 Cameron Wright, 22 Robert du Preez, 23 Marius Louw.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, James Munro
TMO: Glen Newman
