Classy Crusaders march on
11 Feb 2006
It was a case of new competition, same old story when the Crusaders beat the Highlanders 38-15 in Christchurch on Saturday.
The five-time Vodacom Super 12 champions, who are red-hot favourites to win the first Super 14, never looked like losing on their home ground and grabbed a bonus point when replacement Casey Laulala intercepted a poor pass from Highlanders prop Carl Haymen and scored just before full time.
The Crusaders led 18-9 at half-time thanks to two tries from flank Reuben Thorne and scrumhalf Kevin Senio, and only the boot of fullback Ben Blair kept the Highlanders in the game.
When winger Rico Gear scored early in the second half to give the Crusaders a 28-12 lead, the Highlanders were forced to play catch up and made a number of unforced errors.
However, the visitors were very unlucky not to be awarded a penalty try when Senio broke through and offloaded to captain Anton Oliver, who was tackled early by Leon MacDonald. Oliver pleaded for a penalty try, which would have made it 21-19, but while the Crusaders fullback was yellow carded, the Highlanders were only awarded a penalty.
SCORERS:
Crusaders – Tries: Reuben Thorne, Kevin Senio, Rico Gear and Casey Laulala. Conversions: Dan Carter (3). Penalties: Carter: (4).
Highlanders – Penalties: Ben Blair (4), Nick Evans.
20 Comments
11 Feb 2006, 10:17 am
and I thought Bulls were lucky getting there bonus point – but they still go to top as beter points difference.
11 Feb 2006, 10:17 am
on the bright side two NZ sides at bottom of log
11 Feb 2006, 10:33 am
All_stormers
Yep, for now, that will change very soon…
11 Feb 2006, 10:33 am
Rico gear was pretty quite during the game! only got his first touch in the 28th min!
Mose Tuiali’i(????) Played superbly! My man of the match
11 Feb 2006, 10:33 am
Oh ya, and nick evans had a shocker
11 Feb 2006, 10:34 am
Hey grrr…
Looking forward to this afternoons game?
11 Feb 2006, 11:09 am
Mohawkius
Kind of nervous… My team doesn’t have the best record against the Stormies… What am I saying, hell, we have never beated them!! I really would like to believe we can do it, we don’t have a bad team I’m just worried about our flyhalf. He really has not impressed me at all. Pity, because some of the guys on this site says he was a pretty decent player at Craven week. If Pretorius, Ash and Jantjes were in the team I would have had more faith. BUT, stanger things have happened and I will go out here in Cape Town supporting my boys. So all you Capie’s, if you see a guy wearing a Cats jersey today don’t try to run me over, not again please!!!
11 Feb 2006, 11:27 am
Well that makes two flyhalves who are not top notch… I wonder which one will control the game! Good luck to your team!!! But i reckon that my stormers will take it with a bonus point!
PS why u in CT supportin the lions?
11 Feb 2006, 11:29 am
Just because I moved down to Cape Town doesn’t mean I must loose all my morals!!!
11 Feb 2006, 11:32 am
Good on you mate, i respect that!
I reckon the main battle will be at 10,12,13 and 7.
11 Feb 2006, 11:32 am
Ben Blair is **** and so was Jimmy Cowan, I bet had Blair played for the Saders he would not have made those mistakes!!! hmmmm, one ponders!!!
11 Feb 2006, 11:32 am
The main reason Stormers will win is coz gus isnt playin for us, and jorrie is playin for u
11 Feb 2006, 11:33 am
Hey boet, that’s KING Jorrie for you!
At least Jorrie still scores try’s.
11 Feb 2006, 11:53 am
Do you remeber the solo try that the gasman scored against the bulls in that annialation at loftus last year? He rounded Akona, then put up a chip, re gathered, then stepped FdP and another bull!
Pure Class, Why cant he do that every week?
11 Feb 2006, 11:57 am
Kevin Senio had a damn fine game. Looks the complete no.9 package.
11 Feb 2006, 12:16 pm
The Crusaders and Reuben Thorne are pure class!
11 Feb 2006, 12:28 pm
Its that winning mentality that has been created and the belief that they can win from any situation. We have to create that mentality at home for all our sides and then start winning where it counts, on the road because that is when the rest of the world will start fearing the boks and sa teams again.
12 Feb 2006, 04:08 am
Right you are Cubi.Our blokes are on cloud 9 when they win a single game away,whereas the NZ sides want to win them ALL regardless.
This is what Naas Botha was talking about sometime ago.Changing our mentality to winning EVERY match rather than be satisfied for winning just a few.
12 Feb 2006, 10:05 am
Have you heard the Highlanders made a late switch and instead of playing Filipo Levi at No 8, started with Craig Newby. Richie McCaw was asked if he was surprised, and he said no, because one of the Highlanders had told him earlier in the week. Hmmm, which Highlanders have Canterbury ties . . .
13 Feb 2006, 04:58 am
Meeker,
I bet you a dozen beers that it was that little **** Ben Blair. He played one of those games that would have conspiracy theorists reading into it.
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