Crusaders crack into top gear

Crusaders crack into top gear

1 Jun 2012

JON CARDINELLI writes that the Crusaders were at their brutal and clinical best in the 51-18 hammering of the Highlanders in Christchurch.

The battle at the breakdown was a barney of the fiercest order. Both sets of forwards powered into the tackle point, and referee Steve Walsh was forced to blow his whistle far too many times in the first half.

Initially, it was the Highlanders who dominated the collisions and the Crusaders who resorted to illegal tactics as a means of killing the visitors’ momentum. Walsh eventually lost his patience with the Crusaders in the 16th minute, sending George Whitelock to the sin bin for repeated team infringements.

The shorthanded Crusaders then proceeded to concede 10 points during the period of sanction, allowing the Highlanders to edge 13-10 in front. Centre Tamati Ellison showed impressive power to shrug off one tackle attempt, fend another would-be defender and jet in for what would be a seven-pointer.

But while the Highlanders had done well to cash in, they couldn’t compare to the Crusaders for clinical efficiency. Just as Whitelock returned from the sidelines, Highlanders loose forward James Haskell was yellow-carded for a similar offence. In the ensuing 10 minutes, the Crusaders amassed 19 match-winning points.

Two tries were scored by Zac Guildford in this period, and Dan Carter featured prominently in the creation of both. The Highlanders defence rushed the Crusaders who were pinned back in their own 22, but Carter didn’t panic, weighing in with a short grubber that was smartly collected by reserve hooker Quentin MacDonald, who then transferred the ball to Guildford. The winger still had plenty to do, and showed good awareness and pace to finish.

Guildford’s second strike was down to a fantastic forward platform, although Carter once again produced a magic, defence-breaching touch. A great lineout win was followed by a powerful series of hit-ups and offloads. When the Highlanders’ defenders were caught in the uncertainty of whether to advance or retreat, Carter slipped through another grubber for Guildford to chase.

The Crusaders scored from the subsequent kickoff. A Highlanders defensive error allowed the hosts to obtain the necessary momentum before unleashing their free-running backs. Ryan Crotty rounded off what was the bonus-point try, and at 32-13, the game was over as a contest.

The Highlanders employed a more expansive approach in an attempt to reduce the massive deficit, but this only served to play into the Crusaders’ hands.

The hosts scored after the break through Richie McCaw, the captain finishing another great team surge. There were more opportunities to score in the build up to the 60-minute mark, and after a few misfires, the Crusaders finally grabbed their sixth through prop Wyatt Crockett.

To their credit, they never relented, and a seventh try in the 73rd minute as well as another conversion by Carter brought up the half century.

The performance is an encouraging one for a Crusaders outfit that has blown hot and cold over the past four or five rounds. They will head into the break in a powerful position.

Conversely, this result has seen the Highlanders’ play-off prospects sustaining a decisive knock. They remain outside the top six with two league matches to play, and there has been nothing in their recent showings to suggest they will beat their remaining opponents (the Chiefs and Reds).


168 Comments

Pages: « 1 2 [3] 4 » Show All

  • 101.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:23 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-97:

    If it was cricket there would be an investigation :)

  • 102.Mr Black: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:23 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-92:

    The Bulls will claim that they softened the Highlanders up last week.

  • 103.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:24 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-87:
    OH you mean the Bulls home.
    2 points in the last game. Saders have got better as the tournaments gone on.

  • 104.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:24 am

    @Mr Black(Mr Black)-96:

    Ei man don’t even go there it’s hard enough already to keep your head up this round if you’re a Stormer:)

  • 105.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:24 am

    @NZINCHINA(NZINCHINA)-91:
    in nz the saders
    in sa the bulls

    fact…

  • 106.blueboy: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am

    That was just about a perfect performance from the crusaders in all departments they are still well in the running to make the play-offs.Carter is starting to run things again,when he is playing well he must be the best 10 in world rugby,these little stab kicks he takes for other players to run onto are pure class.

  • 107.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-103:

    With one glitch

  • 108.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-99:
    lol
    You are really funny.
    You hate the Saders so YOU be;lieve in your little mind that they cheat every game.
    You cant comprehend that the game of rugby is not just, maul, kick, lineout, maul kick, wait for penalty and steyn to kick the points.
    Running game is not cheating.

  • 109.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:27 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-92:
    i talking about a home semi for the bulls

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-94:
    yes
    we have already this season and we’ve done it a number of times in playoffs past.

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-100:
    huh???

  • 110.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:29 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-103:
    ja
    and we’ve done it in semis too.

  • 111.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:29 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-105:
    The 2 point win in pretoria,was Carter and McCaw playing?

  • 112.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:31 am

    as long as ‘young mate’ Flynn is ok

  • 113.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:31 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-108:
    i am just telling you the truth
    nothing more, nothing less

  • 114.Superbru: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:32 am

    Crusaders true champions of super rugby,Bulls just phony pretenders.

  • 115.charo: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:32 am

    @chch(chch)-98:

    sa teams only get 4 points for a bye.

    knew something was wrong.

    8)

  • 116.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:34 am

    @charo(charo)-115:

    The Chiefs bye is the Blues match :)

  • 117.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:34 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-113:
    There is no truth in it at all.
    I think its rude to sit back and call a team a bunch of cheats but yet in another thread you said SA rugby has cleaned up, no biting or eye gouging since 1995……..hahahaha
    This shows where your truth comes from, the fairy godmother

  • 118.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:35 am

    @charo(charo)-115:
    :-(
    Damn CHCH let it out.

  • 119.Horings: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:36 am

    My predictions for any of these play offs: If Stormers play Chiefs in Hamilton the Stormers will win. If Crusaders play the Chiefs in NZ the Crusaders will win. If Crusaders play Stormers at Newlands the Crusaders will win and if the Bulls play the Crusaders in Pretoria the Bulls will win.

  • 120.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:36 am

    @charo(charo)-115: And the Bye gets a losing bonus point. :)

  • 121.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:37 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-111:

    no, not the recent ‘usual’ drubbing

    the 39 – 24 in soweto

    and the 40 – 35 at loftus

    and that’s my point

    we know how to beat the crusaders at home

    and if the games pan out as expected

    then guess who we get at home…?…

    .
    snap!

    **** just got real for you…

  • 122.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:37 am

    It is about time NZ had a **** team to get easy points off

  • 123.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:38 am

    @Horings(Horings)-119:
    yip
    agreed
    pretty much

  • 124.Horings: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:39 am

    @Superbru(Superbru)-114: You sound like a Leopards supporter giving his opinion on who is has the better CC record of all time. No one really listens to you.

  • 125.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:39 am

    @chch(chch)-122: What do you mean? Everyone knows about the gentleman’s agreement in Kiwi rugby to roll over for the Saders when it looks like they’re in with a shout for the play-offs.

  • 126.viewer: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:40 am

    @111 carter yes (out of position); mccaw no

  • 127.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:43 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-121:
    We are talking about 2012, why talk about some game in 2010?
    I just asked if McCaw and Carter were in the 2 point loss this year against the bulls?

    But going by your posts, it seems the Bulls have already made it.
    Dont they have stormers, sharks and Cheetahs to beat yet?
    Two games could be a loss, and the Cheetahs could pull one of those games out the bag like they do. It could be 3 losses…..snap

  • 128.viewer: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:44 am

    @125 katman that only happens in Asian cricket

  • 129.Horings: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:45 am

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-123: BUT, the Crusaders Bulls playoff in NZ will be easier to bet my house on than the Bulls Crusaders at Loftus. The Bulls are just not there yet.

  • 130.Horings: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:46 am

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-127: The Bulls will finish strong. All Champion teams do! Just a pity an Aussie side will have a say in all of this.

  • 131.Horings: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:48 am

    @viewer(viewer)-128: Since last year’s World Cup I am not so sure anymore. I will not say there was match fixing, I am just not 100% sure there wasnt.

  • 132.blueboy: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:48 am

    #114 Supermouth if the bulls who have won 3 super rugby titles are just phony pretenders in your estimation,that must make the stormers and the rest of the sa teams who have NOT won 1super rugby title between them as absolute jokers.

  • 133.chch: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:49 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-125:

    :) We couldn’t negotiate one of those South African ‘all season’ deals

  • 134.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 11:58 am

    and if the bulls top the conference log they’ll get the home semi and play whoever make it through the playoffs:

    Week——–Round———Match———– Home Team——————–Away Team
    1————-Qualifier——–A——————Rank 4————————-Rank 5
    1————-Qualifier——–B——————Rank 3————————-Rank 6

    2————Semi-final——- C—————–Rank 2————————-Winner of match A or B with highest play-off ranking.

    2———–Semi-final———D—————–Rank 1————————Other winner from match A or B.

    3———–Final—————E—————-Wnr C/D hgst p/off rnkng—-Other wnr match C or D.

    or if we’re in the playoffs then we should meet the saders

    either way

    we know how to beat them

  • 135.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:01 pm

    @chch(chch)-133: your “team orders” would make even Rubens Barichello feel better about his deal with Ferrari.

  • 136.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:01 pm

    The Crusaders are our elite troops, no use them staying at home playing at little RL park, gotta go and take it to the enemy and fark them up on their home ground, especially that Loftus.

  • 137.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:02 pm

    @Horings(Horings)-129:
    true
    it is a 50/50 with the bulls atm
    they came good against the saders at home but no guarantee they will in a playoff or a semi.

  • 138.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:04 pm

    @Hurricane(Hurricane)-127:
    hehehe

    touche…. :grin:

  • 139.stormer in a teacup: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:17 pm

    Saders are certainly looking ominous. Together with the Chiefs they are currently the two best sides in the comp.

  • 140.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:20 pm

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-136: dang. you’re G-ed up aren’t ya fulla?

  • 141.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:24 pm

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-138: Enough of that French nonsense. Before you know it we’ll have a whole game of touché rugby on our hands.

  • 142.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:26 pm

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-136:

    I love the smell of napalm in the morning…

  • 143.houston, we have a problem...: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:47 pm

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-141:
    :lol:

    dont be so touche touche…. :grin:

  • 144.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 12:53 pm

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-142:
    The aftermath..You’ll survive Gunther.
    @Transformation(Transformation)-140:
    Disappointed with Highlanders.Thought Tamati Ellison had a good game, hope he makes the Abs squad.Crusaders will once again carry the Nz flag in Super Rugby, with Chiefs at home, hard to beat in Hamilton.

  • 145.4moreyears: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 13:18 pm

    Whoever tops the overall log will win the comp dead cert!

  • 146.cane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 13:31 pm

    The Ritchie and Dan Show is back.

    Be afraid Boneheads,
    be very afraid.

    8)

  • 147.Hurricane: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 13:34 pm

    @cane(cane)-146:
    Yep, they starting to click and what a time to do that.

  • 148.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 14:46 pm

    On current form which we saw today (parttly anyway on my desk top in the office,,,) the Saders will crack both the Stormers and the Sharks while playing away and without a sweat, assuming not under a SA referee
    Not too sure at altitude (Loftus) though

  • 149.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 14:57 pm

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-136:
    Carter, Cruden and Cooper are the ones who can milk 14-21 points from the Bulls’ Back Three, comes to mind Ndungane doing the ‘Jori Muller’ last week with a googley from Cruden :) :)

  • 150.TooMuchRugby: Reply to this comment
    1 Jun 2012, 16:01 pm

    @houston, we have a problem…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-134: Now that’s wishful thinking if I ever saw it. You must have a lot of time on your hands

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