VIDEO: How Crusaders won No.9
SUPER RUGBY FINAL HIGHLIGHTS: Crusaders coach Scott Robertson did his trademark celebratory breakdance. However, it is the team that gets all the accolades.
Flyhalf Richie Mo’unga pulled the strings as the Crusaders beat the Lions 37-18 to claim a ninth title and their second in a row against their Johannesburg-based rivals.
The defending champions, who started as red-hot favourites in Christchurch, produced a heroic defensive effort – with Mo’unga clinically engineering the points when chances arose.
“To do it last year and do it again was pretty special,” Robertson said.
“Our maul defence was huge.
“It had to be.
“If they had scored two or three times they win.”
The coach said it showed the character of the team, that they withstood the pressure piled on by the Lions – who dominated possession.
The Lions won more than 60 percent of the rucks and line-outs, while the hosts also conceded 15 penalties to the six of the Lions.
Despite all this possession, the Lions were held out for long periods and the Crusaders outscored their opponents by four tries to two.
“For us as a group, it depends how much you care,” Robertson said.
“We won it on defence last year and did it again this year.”
Robertson was especially pleased that with the game won the Crusaders spent more than two minutes at the end without letting the Lions in.
“You know your team’s tight when they do that,” he added.
