Perfect send-off for Saders' legends
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The Crusaders sent off their All Blacks greats Richie McCaw and Dan Carter with a fitting Super Rugby win to end the Brumbies' hopes of winning the Australian conference on Saturday.
The seven-time champions will be missing from next week's finals for the first time since 2001 but they were too organised and strong for the Brumbies, winning 37-24 in Canberra.
Carter, the top points-scorer in international rugby, will transfer to French club Racing Metro after this year's World Cup, while All Black captain McCaw has indicated he intends to retire after the tournament.
It was a painful home defeat for the Brumbies, who missed the chance to press for the Australian conference title ahead of the Waratahs' final regular round match with the Reds in Sydney later on Saturday.
If the Waratahs win they will condemn the Brumbies to a play-off next weekend against South Africa's Stormers in Cape Town.
But it was a crowning day for the two greats of New Zealand rugby – McCaw and Carter.
"It was good to finish on a win, it was a big motivating factor going into this week," Carter said.
"It's been a pretty inconsistent, frustrating year but to finish on a high here in Canberra is pretty satisfying."
McCaw said he finished the Super Rugby season with a smile after beating the Crusaders' great Australian rivals.
"To finish off tonight with a performance like that against the old rivals the Brumbies brings a big smile and some great memories and more than likely this will be the last one for me as well," McCaw said.
The Brumbies scored first with one of three tries all off rolling mauls in the opening minutes, but the Crusaders dominated for the majority of the match, finishing four tries to three winners.
It was always going to prove a tall order for the Brumbies to beat the Crusaders with a four-try bonus point and the Crusaders' win was their fifth straight against the Canberra-based side.
"We had a crack and I was proud of our effort but we were just not good enough," said skipper Stephen Moore, who was playing his 100th match for the Brumbies.
"The Crusaders put us under pressure, particularly with their kicking game. They turned us around all day and we couldn't get enough field position."
Giant Fijian winger Nemani Nadolo terrorised the Brumbies' defence with his crashing runs and scored two tries, his second just before half-time coming after he left three defenders strewn on the ground and won the chase to his kick to score in the corner.
The Crusaders led 21-10 at half-time and the Brumbies' task become even harder when Wallaby flank David Pocock failed to return for the second half with concussion.
Man of the match: For the Brumbies David Pocock was everywhere while he was on the park, Henry Speight was a threat on the wing and Nic White was his usual tactical self. Matt Toomua made a strong impact off the bench. Matt Todd's work-rate was high for the Crusaders while Luke Romano was strong with carries and clean-outs. Nemani Nadolo scored two awesome tries and Dan Carter dictated play well at flyhalf. The award goes to Richie McCaw for his tireless effort on the park making tackles and cleaning rucks all-day.
The scorers:
For the Brumbies:
Tries: Pocock, Butler, Penalty Try
Cons: Lealiifano 3
Pen: Lealiifano
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Nadolo 2, Todd, Penalty Try
Con: Carter
Pens: Carter 5
Yellow cards: Jesse Mogg (Brumbies, 42 – foul play, deliberate knock-down), Sam Whitelock (Crusaders, 47 – collapsing the maul)
Teams:
Brumbies: 15 Jesse Mogg, 14 Henry Speight, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Robbie Coleman, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Christian Lealiifano, 9 Nic White, 8 Ita Vaea, 7 David Pocock, 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Blake Enever, 4 Rory Arnold, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore (captain), 1 Scott Sio.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Allan Alaalatoa, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Jordan Smiler, 20 Jarrad Butler, 21 Michael Dowsett, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 James Dargaville.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 Jone Macilai, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 David Havili, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Matt Todd, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Billy Guyton, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Referee: Jaco Peyper (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Rohan Hoffmann (Australia), Damien Mitchelmore (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
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