Crusaders clinch Kiwi cracker

Crusaders clinch Kiwi cracker

12 Mar 2010

The Crusaders hung on for a 26-19 win over the Chiefs in a fast-paced match in Hamilton.

It was a typical display by the Chiefs and an atypical performance by the Crusaders that made for an erratic but entertaining match. The Chiefs looked to play at a lively tempo, forgoing the formalities of lineouts in an attempt to catch the normally solid Saders defensive line unawares. The Crusaders responded with some impressive counter-attacking movements, but will be concerned with their inconsistent showing on defence.

A clamour of cowbells accompanied Stephen Donald’s second penalty as the Chiefs started brilliantly into the wind. They seemed to have tightened their approach and their defence were focused on the source of the Crusaders’ power – Dan Carter. But the opening minutes were no sign of things to come, as the hosts reverted to their unstructured style moments later.

A quick lineout in their own 22 was turned over, and a sustained build-up culminated in a linebreak by Crusaders fullback Jared Payne. Scrumhalf Kahn Fotuali’i was outstanding in support, and the Crusaders took the lead against the run of play.

The Chiefs’ lineout struggled with Aled de Malmanche failing to find his jumpers regularly. Their scrum was also outplayed, and they were turned over at the breakdown far too often. Their tendency to commit the bare minimum at ruck time meant they were often isolated, and one such turnover led to Fotuali’i's second try. The Crusaders broke down the short side and again it was the scrumhalf’s support running that resulted in reward.

The Crusaders were equally poor at the lineout, and while Ti’i Paulo is good in the loose, he’s a liability at this set-piece. Their defence was uncharacteristically porous. They were able to snuff a Brendon Leonard break early in the first half, but a powerful surge by Colin Bourke paid dividends for the Chiefs. The ball floated to Donald who found Richard Kahui with a neat offload, and with one defensive lapse the hosts were back in the match.

Carter kicked a penalty to extend the Saders’ lead to 23-16, an advantage they managed to retain going into the shed. The three-pointer took Carter past Andrew Mehrtens as the second-highest point scorer in Super Rugby, the first being the Brumbies’ Stirling Mortlock. Two conversions and four penalties saw Carter end the match on 996 points.

The All Blacks pivot missed another difficult attempt just after half-time, but the Crusaders’ relentless march toward the Chiefs’ line proved fruitful in the 54th minute. At 26-16, the Crusaders had established a comfortable cushion, but their approach was still too erratic.

The wet conditions and importance of this match would necessitate a territory based approach. The Chiefs were trying to run everything out of their own half, and their set-piece was struggling. All the Crusaders needed to do was kick for field-position and apply the squeeze.

But the Crusaders’ own lineout woes continued, replacement Corey Flynn faring little better than Paulo with the feed. They couldn’t control the ball through the phases either, several promising surges into the red zone undone by elementary errors. When they finally did manage to keep it with the forwards and slow the game down, they conceded a penalty at the ensuing 5m scrum.

A long-range penalty by Donald set up a thrilling final six minutes, and a missed drop attempt by Carter handed the Chiefs one last opportunity. They managed to play themselves into a position where they had a scrum 7m from the Crusaders line, but were subsequently penalised for a front-row infringement.

Coach Todd Blackadder will argue an away-win is massive, but a close analysis of the match footage will reveal that the Saders’ shortcomings cost them a bonus point. The Crusaders won’t have it so easy against teams with better defensive lines and set-piece structures.

By Jon Cardinelli


76 Comments

Pages: [1] 2 » Show All

  • 1.dWeePer: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:12 am

    This weekend sees top of the table clashes.

  • 2.SAinNZ: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:36 am

    Kudos for the new mobile website keo and co

    looks much better and much easier to use comments etc. Cheers

  • 3.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:54 am

    Go Chiefs,…… I have you by 6 over the CHCH’ians!!!

  • 4.Blouboerseun: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:55 am

    I think this match is going to be a draw….

    OR, I hope so….. lol

    Cru 25 – 25 Chiefs

    lol…. That will do the Bulls and Stormers just fine thanks…

  • 5.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:56 am

    @Blouboerseun: Also true, it’ll cost me on SuperBru though

  • 6.Pot Blou Gevaar: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 07:59 am

    GGGOOOOOO BIG THE BULLS!!!!!!!!!!

  • 7.Blouboerseun: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:03 am

    POT BLOU GEVAAR,

    I know if your blue hart that you will take the loss of points on the chin in Superbru if it meant the bulls get more of an advantage out of the draw result

  • 8.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:04 am

    @Blouboerseun: the bulls have the ref advantage this wekend anyways, four of them in fact :wink:

    Saders to take this game in the final quarter, better forward pack IMO…

  • 9.Sonito: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:10 am

    Should be a cracker!

  • 10.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:27 am

    Go Crusaders!

  • 11.WP_: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:28 am

    Go the chiefs!

  • 12.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:33 am

    McCaw at 6 again, two fetcher theory huh… interesting

  • 13.captain fantail: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:38 am

    This will be a ripper!!

  • 14.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:38 am

    @poppa69: In the modern day game everybody should be capable of fetching – from your number 1 through 15. Only reason players wear numbers on their backs is for the commentators :)

    Now wheres one of Jake’s sons to fetch me a beer!?

  • 15.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:42 am

    @Richie_7: lol I know, but as players they are defined by the position they play… a prop is a prop first, then a “fetcher” surely :D

    I have to leave for work, will be back for the second half… cmon Saders for my superbru…

  • 16.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:45 am

    @poppa69: Nice job – working hours is 40 minutes

  • 17.Gonzo Journalism: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:54 am

    Issac Ross
    Brad Thorn
    Sam Whitelock
    Chriss Jack

    ……they not too short in the second row the saders

  • 18.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 08:55 am

    @Richie_7: It’s not fetching mate, it’s playing towards the ball. and it’s true that some players (like Brussouw and Richie) play more towards the ball than others….say Juan Smith ect.

    Now what’s the score please!!???

  • 19.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:00 am

    @logie_Jumpbuck: Check the top right corner of this page

  • 20.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:03 am

    I gota feeling the next match is gonna be a good match, gonna be a good match.

    Roar.

  • 21.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:05 am

    @RedLion: Red Eyed Peas?

  • 22.RedLion: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:09 am

    @Richie_7: yes, I like roar!

    :razz:

  • 23.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:10 am

    @Richie_7: keo is a bit slow with the score and the bloggers normally have much faster fingers…..

  • 24.Richie_7: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:11 am

    @logie_Jumpbuck: LOL Yeah, I feel your frustration. Unfortunately I’m at work and can’t watch the game. So I’m relying on the website today – not many bloggers

  • 25.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:16 am

    @Richie_7: yeah, i’m hearing crickets….

  • 26.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:22 am

    @Richie_7: nope… travel time is 40 mins, working hours is 12.. :(

  • 27.JJK: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:24 am

    Can anyone give me the scoring details? Who scored tries, penalties etc. Thanks guys.

  • 28.Sonito: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:27 am

    @JJK:

    You could just look at the top right hand side of the page.

  • 29.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:28 am

    We are boycotting this game.

    You Kiwis can have a love-fest.

  • 30.JJK: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:32 am

    Sonito , I am using my mobile and cant find any scoring info.

  • 31.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:36 am

    missing a good game then Dawn.

  • 32.Sonito: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:39 am

    @JJK:
    CHIEFS 16
    Tries
    Richard Kahui
    Conversions
    Stephen Donald
    Penalties
    Donald (3)

    CRUSADERS 23
    Tries
    Kahn Fotuali’i (2)
    Conversions
    Dan Carter (2)
    Penalties
    Carter (3)

  • 33.JJK: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:43 am

    Thanks Sonito. I have the Chiefs by 6 so they need to step up now!

  • 34.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:45 am

    @poppa69:

    Really?

  • 35.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:47 am

    Julius has a high noon date
    2010-03-11 22:10

    Cape Town – The national secretary of the Verkenners Beweging (scouts’ movement) Ben Geldenhuys has challenged Julius Malema to “shoot me” instead of innocent farmers, and even named a place, date, and time for the event.

    In a statement on Thursday, Geldenhuys said the Verkenners Beweging was “furious” about the ANC Youth League leader singing “shoot the boer”.

    ——————————-
    You go guys! Make him eat his words!

  • 36.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:49 am

    ‘Oldest’ single malt released

    Edinburgh – A Scottish whisky firm on Thursday unveiled bottles of what it claims is the oldest single malt whisky in the world, having spent the best part of a century inside an oak barrel.

    Gordon and MacPhail’s Mortlach 70-Year-Old Speyside was sampled at a launch party in Edinburgh Castle, where it was escorted through the doors by pipers and a military escort.

    ————————————-

    Gimme some.

  • 37.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:51 am

    @poppa69: @12

    “two fetcher theory”…….?

    youve been lingering around here too long, Poppa.

    Hands on the PILL, boys, get yr hands on the pill !

  • 38.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:53 am

    @Black Panther: just dumbing it down for our SA cousins… :lol:

  • 39.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:54 am

    @Dawn: @36

    dont ye be botherin aboot tha’, strap yer lips round a tankie of Lagavulin, a fine wee beastie if ever there be’in.

  • 40.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:55 am

    the crusaders are playing very clever rugby….keeping it tight amongst the heavies and the chiefs are struggeling to contain them….falling off tackles.

  • 41.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:55 am

    @poppa69:

    COUSINS ?????

    its bad enough when G10 accuses us of kissing farken convicts !

    cmon, these guys put OPENSIDE FLANKERS in a 6 jersey, what the fark do they know ?!

  • 42.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 09:57 am

    @Dawn: does the Ceasar imposter bother you a bit? ;-)

  • 43.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:01 am

    My how times change….

    previously, Chiefs couldnt buy an away win. And most certainly never in the first 3 rounds.

    Now its floodgates in the Tron and kicking Bokke butt away. The only consistent is their inconsistency.

  • 44.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:03 am

    @Black Panther:

    You got some?

    @logie_Jumpbuck:

    Totally!

  • 45.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:05 am

    I see I have to take the slings and arrows on my own today.

    Bring it on.

  • 46.logie_Jumpbuck: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:09 am

    go saders!! start my virtual off with a win this weekend!

  • 47.blouhoender: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:10 am

    Come on Chiefs! Just one converted try!

  • 48.rossoneri: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:10 am

    WHAT IS THE SCORE!!!!!!

  • 49.Black Panther: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:11 am

    @Dawn:

    slings and arrows ?

    those were pea-shooters ! stick around for the TriN, thats when we bring out Grond followed by the pots of molten lava.

  • 50.Storm outta hell: Reply to this comment
    12 Mar 2010, 10:12 am

    Crusaders by 7….superbru spot on..!!

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