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
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24 May 2008, 11:19 am
#147 Rugby_Princess:
Thx…(whisper).
24 May 2008, 11:20 am
#141 wooden spoon,
i don’t want to be political about things but it’s really difficult for me as a black south african to support an SA team.
24 May 2008, 11:20 am
#138 Pietman:
Yeah happy now Piet, and next one to cause the absence of our Royal illustrious princess, woe will be their reward.
Now don’t you go staying away in a hurry again, Ok princess grace.
whats this a do or die late come back by Canes, too little too late, too bad.
24 May 2008, 11:22 am
#152 viewer: Are you joking? Why is it difficult in this day and age, almost 15 years since true democracy to support an SA side? Oh well, I don’t want to get into this. It’s your choice.
24 May 2008, 11:23 am
trust the canes to do all the hard work during the season just to loose in the semis. tru canes style
24 May 2008, 11:24 am
Wasnt expecting this result, but perhaps So’oialo injury set the Canes back a bit. Hats off to Saders and their coach, will be interesting if he can turn things round for Australia.
24 May 2008, 11:24 am
robbie deans- 7th finals appearance (in 9 years) as head coach of the ‘saders. 4 titles in the bag already.
24 May 2008, 11:25 am
Jeez, Andrew Hore has one skew nose…
24 May 2008, 11:25 am
Anyone been affected by the killings in SA? Horrified to hear of the Xenophobia.
24 May 2008, 11:26 am
Football World Cup still on track?
24 May 2008, 11:27 am
#160 umbhoxoswede: has it ever been on track?
24 May 2008, 11:28 am
Not sure, perhaps it’s time to find a alternative venue.
24 May 2008, 11:28 am
hats off to the ‘saders. i think that the sharks would be a bogey team for the ‘saders in the final. they better hope that the ‘tahs do them a favour.
24 May 2008, 11:28 am
#151 Pietman: Hi Princess nice to hear from you again, my midnight blogging was so boring without you around, the great jokes are missed. Stay on dont let the nasty wolves get to you.
24 May 2008, 11:29 am
It’s Africa’s world cup. Where else is it going to go?
24 May 2008, 11:30 am
Anywhere were u can guarantee better safety than South Africa.
24 May 2008, 11:31 am
#162 umbhoxoswede: does it really matter? soccer isnt even a sport, its more like a hobby
24 May 2008, 11:31 am
In Africa? Again, where?
24 May 2008, 11:33 am
umbhoxo,
you are in sweden right?
look…the past is intersecting with the future. that’s the short answer. the World Cup is on track according the FIFA. but remember that if this type of unrest rears its head close to the WC itself, the alternative venue is australia (that’s according to those close to FIFA’s bigwigs).
24 May 2008, 11:33 am
Haha Jerry Collins took the last conversion. What a toe poke! 100% success rate.
24 May 2008, 11:39 am
#154 wooden spoon:
Well, one has to blame others when things o wrong. Mugabe is still blaming ‘colonialism’ whet, 30 years later?
Kenya has had independance for more than 40 years and they still have higher unemployment and lower salaries than places like SA.
24 May 2008, 11:41 am
#169 viewer: Africa opened so nicely for South Africans since 1994, i see in todays Beeld newspaper SAfricans are returning home from Moz at a rapid pace. The border had a increase from 150 to 600 vehicles per day crossing back to SA. There is already some intimidation there.
24 May 2008, 11:45 am
lol superbul
24 May 2008, 11:52 am
SuperBul hi
You just like having me around because I am worse than you on SuperBru !
24 May 2008, 11:53 am
Saders gonna choke next week. Sharkyboyz wil moer dem.
24 May 2008, 12:00 pm
Go shaaaaaaarks!!
24 May 2008, 12:15 pm
Insanezane how they gonna do that when they wont be playing?
24 May 2008, 13:33 pm
#147 Rugby_Princess:
Where have you been my lovely!
Missed you.Welcome back.
24 May 2008, 14:26 pm
Fantail
Aren’t you a little ball of joy
Cane
“stuff” to resolve & leaving HKG tomorrow
24 May 2008, 14:27 pm
Just got home
Congrats to the Crusaders. Great win
A great game by so many players
24 May 2008, 14:29 pm
Hi Cane, Princes and All,
Cane, commerserations. Were you at the game?
24 May 2008, 14:29 pm
#178 cane:
Clinical and comprehensive victory for the Crusaders!
It was a joy to behold.
24 May 2008, 15:01 pm
#182 Sheriff:
I cannot argue with that Sherrif.
24 May 2008, 15:03 pm
#181 church – like chch but pronounceable:
No chch ………only watched the TV. Best team won. Good luck in the final.
24 May 2008, 15:05 pm
#182 Sheriff:
“a joy to behold”, is pushing it a bit.
24 May 2008, 15:15 pm
Cane
having troubkle with the “voices” ?
So you decided you can “argue with that” after all
24 May 2008, 16:48 pm
#185 cane:
Reminded me of Brumbies 2002
24 May 2008, 16:57 pm
#184 cane:
Cheers. Was a good game
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