Slick Saders crush Canes
21 Apr 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on the Crusaders’ emphatic 42-14 victory over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Ominously for their future opponents, the Crusaders are starting to show glimpses of their best form. They comfortably and clinically negotiated the Stormers last week, and, faced with a vastly inferior opponent in the Canes, they were brutal in their demolition.
The Canes had no rebuttal to the Saders’ physicality, upon which this victory was built. The visitors bossed the gainline and in so doing controlled the flow and tempo of the match. How they used the ball thereafter was an education in itself. Their tactical awareness, decision-making and execution of the chosen action was rarely anything but precise.
Notably the Saders’ key players are settling into their groove. Kieran Read has become increasingly prominent in recent weeks and was excellent this evening. He is getting back to the form that made him one of the world’s best players in 2011. Zac Guilford seems to have closed an alcohol-drenched chapter of his life and is exhibiting the form that explained why so many in the New Zealand rugby fraternity were prepared to endure his wayward spell. Andy Ellis and Tom Taylor are growing as a halfback pair, while Dan Carter – although not in his favoured position – remains a class apart. They have depth no other Kiwi franchise can boast and if injuries don’t befall them, they will be hard to stop going forward.
It was all over by half-time, the Saders having bagged the bonus-point in their 32-7 lead. Their opening try was vintage Saders – Guilford taking an inside pass off the flyhalf and cutting the line at blinding pace before dishing off to Read to score. The Canes were defensively generous with the next score – Carter finishing after an Israel Dagg break – but could do little to halt Robbie Fruean’s run for the third, the midfielder fielding a high kick then sprinting 40m to score. Dagg crossed with half-time looming and even though the Canes scored either side of the break, they never looked like mounting a comeback.
Their first half effort was marked by poor tactical kicking – a method they aren’t comfortable with – and in the second they reverted to an expansive approach which the Saders repelled easily. Dagg would score again going into the final quarter but the Canes’ resolves was already eroded by then and the Saders eased through the closing minutes for a statement win.

118 Comments
21 Apr 2012, 08:24 am
Go Saders!!
21 Apr 2012, 08:31 am
saders!saders!saders!saders!saders!
21 Apr 2012, 08:38 am
Come Hurricanes do the rest of us mere mortals a nice heaven sent favor and blow these bushwackers away.
21 Apr 2012, 08:38 am
Might be game of the weekend! Go saders but go canes too!
21 Apr 2012, 08:41 am
Close game but crusaders will sneak it by less than 7 points.
I hope the hurricanes win, don’t want stormers to play saders again
21 Apr 2012, 08:48 am
I’ve got the Hurricanes to win this one as I don’t think they are as rubbish as perhaps they may seem.
Crusaders did have some good form last week but I’m hesitant to consider them favourites for making the finals until they get some consistency.
Just my two cents.
21 Apr 2012, 08:57 am
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-5: that’s the final .will be happy to play the despicable bulls in nz
21 Apr 2012, 08:58 am
Crusaders probably win this one. But a hurricane upset will ne nice.
21 Apr 2012, 09:06 am
@ cape,
You mean the bulls, the same team who beat your beloved team
Are you originally from NZ?
21 Apr 2012, 09:09 am
Horrorcanes have a habit of caning the saders.
21 Apr 2012, 09:24 am
I feel like a member of an appreciation society
GGGOOOOO SSSADDDERS!
21 Apr 2012, 09:27 am
@NoRugbyGuru_0_(RugbyGuru_0_)-9: more like cheated their way to victory.enjoy the brumbies win today because that will be your last for a while.
21 Apr 2012, 09:33 am
go hurricanes
21 Apr 2012, 09:34 am
@CAPECRUSADER (seven-times champions)(CAPECRUSADER)-12:
More like completely thrashed, two late tries providing the false belief that it was a close one. Trailed by 16 points with less than ten to go, Bulls went to sleep.
21 Apr 2012, 09:34 am
@Narutokun(Narutokun)-8: Sharingan!!
Crusaders should easily win this. Too much class for the Hurricanes.
21 Apr 2012, 09:39 am
great stuff.
21 Apr 2012, 09:43 am
matt todd vs karl lowe.
21 Apr 2012, 09:44 am
that is VINTAGE crusaders…
21 Apr 2012, 09:44 am
What a try! Guildford class alkie!
21 Apr 2012, 09:45 am
punishing teams from 1st phase ball!!!!
21 Apr 2012, 09:45 am
easy peasy for the saders.be very afraid you bulls f ukkers!
21 Apr 2012, 09:45 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-19:
Agree. Gotta love thelittle hand swats defending against the tacklers!
21 Apr 2012, 09:46 am
it’s gonna be a very long night for the canes
21 Apr 2012, 09:51 am
Go Crusaders. Very good try by Comrade Reid. The crowd is too quiet comrade. Please encourage them to support you more vociferously.
Please Comrade Joubert ensure The Chosen Ones win deservedly.
21 Apr 2012, 09:52 am
Some village idiots here today
21 Apr 2012, 09:53 am
go the hurricanes
21 Apr 2012, 09:54 am
George Whitelock then has a middle bles! bwhahahhahhahaaha
21 Apr 2012, 09:55 am
Woeful kick!
21 Apr 2012, 09:55 am
….and the saffa keolings believe they have total monopoly on tough derbies.
21 Apr 2012, 09:57 am
@Dawn(Dawn)-25: …and one alcoholic…..as per bill.
21 Apr 2012, 09:59 am
@CAPECRUSADER (seven-times champions)(CAPECRUSADER)-29uhm….
21 Apr 2012, 10:00 am
sloppy play by the saders
21 Apr 2012, 10:02 am
I hate the way Tom Taylor runs! Thumbs up matey! lol
21 Apr 2012, 10:02 am
lovely crusader babes
21 Apr 2012, 10:02 am
New Zealand holds the monopoly on outstanding rugby.
21 Apr 2012, 10:03 am
KING CARTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEER!!!!!
21 Apr 2012, 10:03 am
a try in his 100th game! well done DC
21 Apr 2012, 10:03 am
This is becoming to easy for the Saders
21 Apr 2012, 10:03 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-33: After he takes the kicks
21 Apr 2012, 10:04 am
dagg,what a player!!!
21 Apr 2012, 10:04 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-38: sorry too
Watch Taylor Thumbs up!
21 Apr 2012, 10:05 am
Well played Comrade Daniel.
21 Apr 2012, 10:05 am
Is that legal by the crusaders forwards? They just walk over and then they fall over….shouldnt they stay on their feet? Looks dodge.
21 Apr 2012, 10:06 am
keolings,you have the honour today to watch the soon to be crowned eight-times super rugby champions.
21 Apr 2012, 10:07 am
Dangerous tackle Mr Tackle by the Whitelock brother. He could of broke Barret’s leg!
21 Apr 2012, 10:08 am
@CAPECRUSADER (seven-times champions)(CAPECRUSADER)-44: Sssuuuurrrrreee
21 Apr 2012, 10:08 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-45: lol Mr Ref
21 Apr 2012, 10:08 am
read showing why he is ten times better than pink spies.
21 Apr 2012, 10:08 am
Canes have gone walkabout, like the lions for the past 10yrs.
21 Apr 2012, 10:09 am
@Sasuke Rasensurieken !!!
shame hurricanes look hopeless …
21 Apr 2012, 10:10 am
this is going to get ugly
21 Apr 2012, 10:10 am
Alas…………. Boys v men
21 Apr 2012, 10:10 am
@Capecrusader, Read is an inbred cheat.
21 Apr 2012, 10:10 am
stupid kicking by hurricanes!!!!
21 Apr 2012, 10:11 am
oh yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees robbie fruan!!!!
21 Apr 2012, 10:11 am
Wow Great stuff from the Crusaders. Great to watch. Poor play by Hurricanes though.
21 Apr 2012, 10:12 am
Comrade Andre Taylor looks like he must put on a green point cap and stand on the rock next to my koi pond.
21 Apr 2012, 10:12 am
be very very afraid you pink bull f ukkers
21 Apr 2012, 10:12 am
Tom Taylor stop with the thumbs up running!
21 Apr 2012, 10:13 am
Canes catching a 1 way hiding fast.. Talk about a Spanking!
21 Apr 2012, 10:14 am
S hItty mistake by cane f/b. Try freuan. Funky hairstyle
21 Apr 2012, 10:14 am
Forward Pass called.. Shame poor Canes.
21 Apr 2012, 10:14 am
No way Mr Ref how can that be forward!
21 Apr 2012, 10:16 am
marginal call
21 Apr 2012, 10:16 am
Try from an Aimless kick.
Ben franks is the successor to greg somerville. Can scrum both sides
21 Apr 2012, 10:18 am
Shame what is going on!
Throw in the towel Hurricanes
21 Apr 2012, 10:18 am
FORWARD of note.. Can see Refs in bed with the Saders…
21 Apr 2012, 10:18 am
Forward pass and a knock-on in that try. Craig thinks the Crusaders are the All Blacks.
21 Apr 2012, 10:18 am
Wow, did I ever pick this one wrong. As someone has already said, this is going to get ugly…
21 Apr 2012, 10:19 am
@Narutokun(Narutokun)-50: Lol Which episode are you at?
Ellis Forward pass! Even Justin Marshall Crusaders legend says a few forward passes!
Seems to me that Craig Joubert has received the script just like when he received the script for the World Cup final versus France.
21 Apr 2012, 10:19 am
Dame there was another forward pass by the saders that lead to a try !!
21 Apr 2012, 10:19 am
come on mr ref .we don’t need your help.
21 Apr 2012, 10:19 am
Crusaders hitting form at the right time of the comp…again
Fruen is a Beast
21 Apr 2012, 10:20 am
Freuan what a juggling act!
21 Apr 2012, 10:20 am
@viewer(viewer)-65:
There is only one Jedi Master
21 Apr 2012, 10:20 am
lovely try by the canes
21 Apr 2012, 10:21 am
Finally the Canes find the try line!
21 Apr 2012, 10:21 am
Great try Andre Taylor….that makes up for your previous error.
21 Apr 2012, 10:21 am
andre taylor…skins the forwards….class
21 Apr 2012, 10:21 am
Canes are nowhere. I guess this put it into perspective. Sharks were BS to lose to the Canes.
21 Apr 2012, 10:23 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-79:
I rate this guy. 6th try of the season for him.
Dagg’s try was with the help of 2 blatant forward passes.
21 Apr 2012, 10:24 am
total rugby being played by an absolutely superior crusaders team.what a joy to behold.
21 Apr 2012, 10:24 am
@IAAS(I am a stormer)-81: Yes he can possible make All Blacks this year?
21 Apr 2012, 10:25 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-80: sharks are a kuk team.can’t wait for the saders-stormers final.
21 Apr 2012, 10:28 am
@Sasuke episode 259 very boring don’t even bother !!! flash backs for the 10th time
at least.the hurricanes have something to show even thought they not in the.game …. lol
21 Apr 2012, 10:28 am
canes must retain the ball, they can break this crusaders defence. Every time they do they make metres or get into points.
Wake up Hammo!
21 Apr 2012, 10:30 am
@Pee Wee(Pee Wee)-80:
Canes were right into the game up to the last post………..classic case of intimidation
21 Apr 2012, 10:31 am
this Crusaders outfit must have bribed Joubert same way NZ did in the WC disallows Canes try for forward pass then allows 2 blatant forward passes for Daggs try
What kind 2 face inconsistent low down cheats
21 Apr 2012, 10:31 am
@greatest13gerber(greatest13gerber)-73: You do know that the final is more than 3 months away?
21 Apr 2012, 10:31 am
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-83:
He’s got to be in the AB squad but Dagg is the incumbent. But the competition for places is hotting up.
21 Apr 2012, 10:32 am
Saders Please don’t relax in 2nd half. . .
21 Apr 2012, 10:35 am
Canes start of well
21 Apr 2012, 10:35 am
great refereeing by joubert.
21 Apr 2012, 10:36 am
canes scrum as brittle as pierre spies
21 Apr 2012, 10:36 am
Crusaders getting back to their unbeatable best.
21 Apr 2012, 10:37 am
nice on Hammo, you can listen…now the boyys are using the ball, pick & go & exploit the spaces to put your devastating backs off!
Good game in prospect!
21 Apr 2012, 10:37 am
Go Hurricanes!
21 Apr 2012, 10:38 am
Jeremy Thrush ……….cracks me up
21 Apr 2012, 10:38 am
@CAPECRUSADER (seven-times champions)(CAPECRUSADER)-93:
Strange really,he always carries a little bias towards the home side,sometimes even more than a little.
21 Apr 2012, 10:39 am
Try Canes
21 Apr 2012, 10:39 am
victor vito is a beast.great try
21 Apr 2012, 10:40 am
crusaders went to SLEEP!!!!!
21 Apr 2012, 10:56 am
When did Joubert turn into such a poor ref?
The two forward passes and clear knock-on were as poor as I have seen in a while? Maybe he is drinking the same water as Brycie…
21 Apr 2012, 10:57 am
Canes are done for !!! Shame
21 Apr 2012, 10:57 am
@Narutokun(Narutokun)-85: Yes I have seen that. The next real episode i think is the 10th of May!
Breakfast is served. Russian wrapped in an omelette with cheese!
21 Apr 2012, 11:01 am
My Comrade Crusaders are givng the world a rugby lesson.
21 Apr 2012, 11:02 am
Keiran Read is class.
tusi pisi is FdP’s halfback partner @ suntory goliath
21 Apr 2012, 11:05 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-102:
Pacing themself. It’s a long competition.
hurricanes running out of steam???
21 Apr 2012, 11:05 am
My comrade your team is playing against one of the weaker sides
Try and not act like your nic
21 Apr 2012, 11:05 am
@Transformation(Transformation)-107: Interesting. I see he is lining up at 15
21 Apr 2012, 11:06 am
this Craig Joubert is a useless ref, namby pamby awe struck Crusaders and AB disciple who cannot discern his inherent bias from his sense of fair judgment, lets certain teams get away with exactly what he blows the opposition up for and gets swayed by his awe struck worship of some so called invincible teams. Did same for Bulls in 2010 and 2011. Kak overrated ref blows the games one way only.
21 Apr 2012, 11:06 am
My comrade your team is playing against one of the weaker sides.
Try and not act like your nic
21 Apr 2012, 11:07 am
These heroic Crusaders will win this competition. Well played Comrade Joubert.
21 Apr 2012, 11:08 am
Joubert is a strange gat kruiper ref, looking for a job at the IRB
21 Apr 2012, 11:09 am
“Oh Kieran, sorry I have to penalise you”
21 Apr 2012, 11:10 am
@ashampoopaloo(joel1yahoo)-111: true
21 Apr 2012, 11:11 am
Comrade Craig was deployed to serve.
21 Apr 2012, 11:11 am
@President_Jacob_Zuma(President_Jacob_Zuma)-113:
excuse me but wats up with the leninisms