Late surge destroys the Cheetahs
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After leading at halftime, a Willie le Roux yellow card saw the Crusaders score four tries in six minutes to destroy the Cheetahs 57-14 in Christchurch on Saturday.
It was a real arm-wrestle in the first half, that the Cheetahs looked to be winning after a two-try blitz from Francois Venter and Johann Sadie.
The Crusaders did remain in touch with Dan Carter kicking a 40 minute penalty to go in four points behind at the break.
However, the second half was a different affair as Willie le Roux was yellow carded for a high tackle leading to the Cheetahs hitting the self-destruct button.
Four tries in six minutes turned the game on its head as the Crusaders dealt the Cheetahs their first loss in their first game on tour.
The Cheetahs led 14-10 at half-time but the seven-time champions responded in style, with All Black flyhalf Daniel Carter scoring two tries and kicking seven conversions.
Fellow international Israel Dagg was also among the try-scorers for the star-studded Crusaders as the second half turned into a massacre.
The Crusaders dominated the opening 30 minutes, despite having wing Kieron Fonotia sin-binned early for a dangerous tackle, with Jordan Taufua giving them the first try.
But Francois Venter hit back with a 70-metre intercept try against the run of play, inspiring the fired-up Cheetahs and Johann Sadie grabbed a second three minutes later.
The wounded Crusaders embarked on an attacking frenzy after the break and soon earned a penalty try, sparking a comeback which soon became a rout.
Man of the match: For the Cheetah's Francois Venter looked busy and made a few important breaks and tackles, Brussow showed his skills at the breakdown again, but it was a game for the Crusaders in the second half. Nemani Nadolo was destructive, Israel Dagg returned in some good form, Dan Carter looked back to his old best – it is an impossible call so lets say the Crusaders team that walked out in the second half deserve the award.
Scorers:
For the Crusaders
Tries: Taufua 2, Dagg, penalty try, Carter 2, Nadolo, Havili
Cons: Carter 7
Pen: Carter
For the Cheetahs:
Tries: Venter, Sadie
Cons: Pietersen 2
Yellow cards: Kieron Fonotia (Crusaders, 7 – dangerous tackle, taking the man out in the air) Willie le Roux (Cheetahs, 49 – dangerous tackle, high tackle) Coenie Oosthuizen, 69 – illegal scrummaging)
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Kieron Fonotia, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Whitelock, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Tom Taylor, 23 David Havili
Cheetahs: 15 Willie le Roux, 14 Clayton Blommetjies, 13 Johann Sadie, 12 Francois Venter, 11 Raymond Rhule, 10 Joe Pietersen, 9 Tian Meyer, 8 Jean Cook, 7 Teboho Mohoje, 6 Heinrich Brussow, 5 Francois Uys (captain), 4 Carl Wegner, 3 Coenie Oosthuizen, 2 Torsten van Jaarsveld, 1 Danie Mienie.
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 BG Uys, 18 Nicolaas van Dyk, 19 Steven Sykes, 20 Johannes Prinsloo, 21 Shaun Venter, 22 Willie du Plessis, 23 Rayno Benjamin.
Referee: Andrew Lees (Australia)
Assistant referees: Kane McBride (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Chris Wratt (New Zealand)
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