Crusaders clout Canes

Crusaders clout Canes

24 May 2008

The Crusaders marched towards another Super Rugby title with a 33-22 semi-final victory over the Hurricanes in Christchurch.

The Saders resumed their run towards a seventh trophy in the competition’s history with a comprehensive beating of the Canes. Don’t let the scoreline deceive you, two tries in the last five minutes from the Canes gave the victory margin some respectability, as the Saders had led 33-8 before they went into cruise control.

The semi was dubbed an unofficial All Black trial and certain players would have proved a few valuable points to Graham Henry. Eighthman Mose Tuiali’i did his chances no harm as he was a massive presence around the breakdown – with ball in hand around the fringes and in turning over possession – as well as in his general play. Casey Laulala at outside centre was also very productive, as he often appeared wide out on the wing and he continuously evaded tacklers.

For the Canes 19-year-old Zac Guildford could be a surprise inclusion after he was his team’s best attacking weapon. Crusaders coach Robbie Deans’s decision to start with Tim Bateman instead of Stephen Brett was vindicated as he shut out Ma’a Nonu at No. 12 all night. Nonu didn’t have a bad game, but he couldn’t make any of his usual busts and this quiet display was atypical from the centre.

A frantic start to the match ensued, and the game was played at a furious pace throughout. Both sides were willing to give it air and there weren’t many breaks in play, as line-outs especially were not in abundance.

Guildford scored in the fourth minute after he charged down a Dan Carter kick, and all he had to do from there was dive on the ball. From there on it was all the Crusaders however. Hooker Corey Flynn went off inside 15 minutes with a suspected broken arm but it didn’t disrupt the Saders in the least.

The Saders dominated territory (they had 88% of it after 30 minutes) and possession after the Canes’ try. It all came about from their strong scrum which put the Canes pack under enormous pressure. It also didn’t help that Chris Masoe was playing in the unfamiliar position of No. 8 (due to Rodney So’oialo’s injury), and his combination with scrumhalf Piri Weepu was tested. Their communication wasn’t good enough, and numerous passes went astray between the two, and the consequence was that the Canes couldn’t get out of their 22.

The Saders eventually made this pressure tell two minutes before half-time with a Leon MacDonald try after spending over 15 minutes in the Canes 22 during the half. They went into the shed 13-8 up, but this was nowhere near as much a return as they would’ve hoped for. The Canes’ scrambling defensive effort must be lauded, as they won turnovers at vital times.

The pressure on the Canes from the first half began to tell as their defence began to wane in the second stanza. All their relieving kicks were straight down field and didn’t have sufficient chasers – all they did was put more pressure on themselves with their poor tactical use of the boot. The Saders countered with their usual precision, and whoever plays them in the final will have to make better use of the kick – rather putting it into space than into the Saders’ hands.

MacDonald got a second score, and a Carter (who kicked seven from seven) penalty gave the Saders a 15-point lead heading into the final quarter. The Canes had to play typical catch-up rugby, which meant running from deep in their own half, and this resulted in more pressure being put on themselves. With 10 minutes remaining flank Kieran Read got a try from this territorial advantage.

The Canes got two late consolation tries, but the Saders defence looked impenetrable when it counted. The team that plays them in the final will need to find an innovative way to breach their line.

Crusaders – Tries: Leon MacDonald (2), Kieran Read. Conversion: Dan Carter (3). Penalties: Carter (4).

Hurricanes – Tries: Zac Guildford, Jeremy Thrush, Neemia Tialata. Conversions: Jimmy Gopperth, Jerry Collins. Penalty: Piri Weepu.

By Grant Ball


188 Comments

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 » Show All

  • 51.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:08 am

    Capt
    Canes #1 is not binding properly & using an arm to prop himself up during the hit. Why is he not being pinged ?

  • 52.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:09 am

    Fern
    Bite harder ;)

  • 53.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:10 am

    #50 grootblousmile:
    Gaan doen jou werk.
    Mens kry nie geld vir niks doen en klipgooi nie……

  • 54.cougars: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:10 am

    88% posetion to Crusaders, and no try???

  • 55.Fern: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:11 am

    #52 Rugby_Princess:
    bite me

  • 56.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:12 am

    #53 Pietman: Gistermiddag laat toe ek in Midrand is om die Server op te tel, toe’s hulle noggie klaar met hom nie….. ek dink hulle MOET hom hier kom aflewer…..

  • 57.Fern: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:13 am

    fatboy kicks it over

  • 58.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:13 am

    Fernly

    No, because you would like it ;)

    Feck Canes 8- cru 6 :(

  • 59.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:14 am

    RP invisible arm tactics

  • 60.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:15 am

    Penalty – The Canes find themselves in Saders territory for the first time in ages and it’s a matter of seconds before they win a penalty. Weepu has the Canes back in the lead.

    30 The Hurricanes have spent another 15 minutes defending deep inside their own half, but their defence is resolute as ever. The Crusaders must be disappointed to have only six points on the board after all this territorial advantage with ball in hand.

  • 61.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:15 am

    #53 Pietman:

    Did you manage to get coverage?

    How you finding Canada? First time?

    No Jamaicans around?

    BTW, our CEO is from Calagary – an oil man.

  • 62.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:16 am

    Capt
    Que ?

  • 63.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:16 am

    Go Canes !!!

    GBS
    Ja, laat hulle kom aflewer, dis Saterdag, jy het mos klaar jou deel gedoen.
    n Man moet tyd by die huis spandeer ook…ek is bietjie gestof hiedie week, ver van die huis af en niemand rondom my stel belang in my rugbyprobleme nie.
    Ek raak nou haastig terug na my plek toe…

  • 64.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:17 am

    Leon Mac – under the posts !

  • 65.Pirlet BEL: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:17 am

    and the gates finally open

  • 66.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:17 am

    Klap, try ‘Saders next to the posts.

  • 67.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:20 am

    #61 OCO:
    No bro, midnight over here.
    I asked the man at the desk to get me connected to ‘sentana’, 10$ Canadian, but he is just frowning and yawning…and glancing at his newspaper all the time…so bugger it.
    I will get the score from here on keo and watch the replay back home on Kuduclub.
    Bietjie van n kakspul, middernag in Kanada…man sukkel hier..

  • 68.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:21 am

    Try – The Crusaders cross the line for the first time two minnutes short of halftime and after a whole half of attacking. It is MacDonald who joins the line and slips through the gap to ground under the uprights.

    Conversion

  • 69.grootblousmile: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:22 am

    #63 Pietman: Agggggggg flokkkkkkkk, laat ek maar op my bicycle spring en die server gaan haal…… hulle willie hom aflewer nie…

    ……… net omdat hulle ‘n R 54 mil turnover per maand het, dink hulle hulle staan vierkantig in beheer…… is seker so….

    Cheers !

  • 70.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:22 am

    Half time 13:8

  • 71.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:22 am

    #61 OCO:
    Yes, first time in the west.
    I have been to Ontario and Montreal before though.
    W-Canada is good however, a Saffa can make it here.
    Vancouver is like Cape Town, mountain and all….

  • 72.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:23 am

    RP- using an arm to prop himself up ( ref aint seeing it ) invisible arm tatic

  • 73.Fern: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:23 am

    #67 Pietman:
    wat maak jy in kanada

  • 74.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:24 am

    #70 OCO:
    Who, Canes?

  • 75.banana boy: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:25 am

    #67 Pietman:
    try this site for live radio commentary – they’ll also be covering the sharks game…

  • 76.Vernon Koekemoer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:26 am

    Yes, lekke year from the Wes Rand. Go go manne die VALKE BO

  • 77.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:27 am

    #73 Fern:
    Braai vleis en drink bier saam met die Canadian Cattle Breeders Association, en loop hier tussen die beesplase rond, sal jou later vertel.
    Pampoen het n prys gewen met die restaurant, toe ry ek maar saam…..

  • 78.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:27 am

    #75 banana boy:
    What site?

  • 79.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:28 am

    Hurricanes defended the whole of the first half. Crusaders (whilst not looking all that good) have this one wrapped up I fear. The Hurricanes don’t have enough in the armoury (and perhaps in the tank – the tackle count will tell in the second stanza) to win this one. Come on the Canes.

  • 80.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:29 am

    #74 Pietman:

    Unfortunately Saders,

    I lived in St Catherins and Hamilton when I was a kid. Loved the place but then came the lure of SA ……

  • 81.Rugby_Princess: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:30 am

    Capt
    Ref was standing right there – more than once !

  • 82.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:31 am

    #80 OCO:
    Not good, Canes had better shape up…

  • 83.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:36 am

    #82 Pietman:

    Not getting much ball at the moment and when they do they’re getting turned over,
    match so far really not what one would expect of a S14 semi.

  • 84.viewer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:37 am

    still h/time? what was the general state of play in the 1st half?
    how does robbie deans do it? he just effortlessly brings the right youngsters into the team. look at the bench…reuben thorne by himself has more caps than the other six subs combined.

  • 85.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:38 am

    RP hence the invisible arm..

  • 86.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:39 am

    Weepu restarts with Paulo running the ball up for the Saders. The Crusaders launch a high kick upfield, but the Canes gather and can attack first.

  • 87.Pietman: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:40 am

    #86 Andre_WP:
    Dankie maat, vertel wat aangaan, ek sien niks.

  • 88.Fern: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:42 am

    warning to saders

  • 89.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:43 am

    Hurricanes have their hands on their ball a lot more now. Possible try by Hurricanes. TV ref decision. Foot on the line.

  • 90.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:43 am

    Possible try Canes in right hand corner. Not given. Line-out

  • 91.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:45 am

    As hard as the Canes try, the pervading sense is that the Crusaders are going to win. Ominous.

  • 92.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:46 am

    Try Crusaders. You’ll be seing the Sharks in Chch.

  • 93.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:46 am

    Saders 2.5 m from the line.

  • 94.Pirlet BEL: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:47 am

    leon macdonald is SO much better that the useless and way overrateds Mils..

  • 95.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:47 am

    #92 wooden spoon:

    Right now only team between Saders and the cup is the Sharks who I think can beat them.

    20:8

  • 96.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:48 am

    The competence and all round ability of the Crusaders is annoying… They should start with a handicap.

  • 97.Andre_WP: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:49 am

    Try – The Crusaders muscle their way up to the line before MacDonald holds on to a pop pass from the ruck to go over for his second.

  • 98.Pirlet BEL: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:49 am

    hurricanes are going down big time..crusaders arze playing brilliantly

  • 99.OCO: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:49 am

    Saders attack again. One way traffic right now, Think that’s the ball game.

  • 100.patzer: Reply to this comment
    24 May 2008, 10:49 am

    From now on it should be an easy win for the Crusaders.

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