VIDEO: Crusaders seal top spot
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders put down a big marker by sealing top spot in the standings with more than a week to go in the league stages.
The Crusaders produced a clinical performance to comprehensively beat a determined Highlanders team 45-22 in Christchurch on Friday.
It was also the perfect way to celebrate the record-breaking 200th Super Rugby match by veteran All Black prop Wyatt Crockett.
The result means no one can reach the defending champions on the overall leaderboard, guaranteeing them home advantage through the play-offs as they chase their ninth title.
The Crusaders scored five tries to three, including a brace for George Bridge, extending their winning streak to 11 games and underlining their status as competition favourites.
They were boosted by the return from injury of All Blacks captain Kieran Read.
It was the second heavy loss for the Highlanders, after going down to Chiefs by an identical score last week.
They are still likely to make the play-offs, but are looking doubtful for fourth spot, which carries home advantage in the quarterfinals.
The Crusaders raced to a 12-0 lead in the first 15 minutes with two contrasting tries.
Bridge scored the first after the Crusaders worked the ball through 18 phases, starving the Highlanders of possession.
The second came after Ryan Crotty made a run from deep within his own half, splitting the defence to set up a try for David Havili.
The Highlanders clawed one back, when Luke Whitelock broke a tackle and offloaded to the on-rushing Tyrel Lomax for a converted try.
Another to Ben Smith narrowed the Crusaders’ lead to one point but the home team again edged ahead when Scott Barrett crossed just before the break to make it 25-17.
A poor Highlanders scrum after the restart allowed Richie Mo’unga to go on the charge and add the Crusaders’ fourth try after outpacing Ben Smith with a kick and chase.
Waisake Naholo hit back immediately, but Bridge scored his second when he scooped up a huge looping pass from Mo’unga out wide to seal the win.
Man of the match: The sentimental call would be to go for double-centurion Wyatt Crockett. Lima Sopoaga had good stats, but that did not disclose the erratic nature of his game. Luke Whitelock and James Lentjes got through a mountain of work. George Bridge and Seta Tamanivalu constantly troubled the Highlanders’ defence. Crusaders lock Scott Barrett, who – apart from doing the basics well – was invaluable with his work off the ball. However, our award goes to Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga, who masterfully pulled the strings and produced the crucial plays that swung the match.
The scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Bridge 2, Havili, Barrett, Mo’unga
Cons: Mo’unga 4
Pens: Mo’unga 4
For the Highlanders:
Tries: Lomax, B Smith, Naholo
Cons: Sopoaga 2
Pen: Sopoaga
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Teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele.
Highlanders: 15 Ben Smith (co-captain), 14 Waisake Naholo, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Tei Walden, 11 Richard Buckman, 10 Lima Sopoaga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Luke Whitelock, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Elliot Dixon/Liam Squire, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Jackson Hemopo, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Replacements: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Aki Seiuli, 18 Guy Millar, 19 Pari Pari Parkinson, 20 Shannon Frizell, 21 Kayne Hammington, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Fletcher Smith.
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser, Jamie Nutbrown
TMO: Aaron Paterson
