Saders edge Hamilton epic
6 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a compelling spectacle in which the Crusaders survived a late onslaught to win 28-21 against the Chiefs in Hamilton.
This match lacked for nothing, purists and thrill-seekers alike having plenty to satisfy their respective tastes. An excellent advertisement for Super Rugby and a showcase of everything that is great about New Zealand rugby, this match kept you riveted until the very end, where the Saders’ refusal to allow their determined opponents a path to goal was heroic.
Brutal collisions, breathtaking individual and collective skills, appreciable tactical intelligence, resillience and passion, bags of it, this match made you wish the suits at Sanzar would put aside commercial interests and personal aspirations and reduce the number of teams in the tournament, pitting only the strongest teams against each other so that these types of showcases become more commonplace, not rare gems in an otherwise barren landscape.
That fanciful idea aside, the Saders did much to advance their cause for a play-off spot. This was always going to be the measure of their credentials and establish whether they are genuine contenders or just posturing pretenders. There can be no question now that they have all the attributes of champions. If they realise that goal it will have to be through a number of away wins like this one, but you wouldn’t bet against them.
Chiefs flyhalf Aaron Cruden nearly got his side off to the perfect start when he broke free early in the match, only to be scragged short of the tryline. The youngster’s transition from a talented but raw pivot into a truly world-class one is progressing nicely. Experience will refine him, but he is already a formidable opponent and indispensable asset to his franchise.
He got the scoreboard going with a penalty, but the Saders dominated for a large period thereafter, feeding off numerous Chiefs errors. The hosts look back at that passage as being decisive to the outcome.
Dan Carter banked a penalty to level the scores and soon thereafter converted a Kieran Read try in which they kept the ball alive brilliantly through multiple phases. Cruden responded with a penalty, but Carter’s experience told when he dropped a goal to keep the Saders ahead.
The visitors stretched their lead to 14 points when Andy Ellis broke blind and put in a delicate grubber which rebounded off a Chiefs player into the path of Luke Ramano. The second rower scooped the loose ball up and drove over the chalk, Carter adding the extras.
But the Chiefs refused to be steamrolled, and rebounded from the Saders’ flurry with a counter of their own, Brodie Retallick powering over from close range. Cruden’s conversion was the last score of the half, the Saders leading 20-16.
There was an unrelenting urgency and intensity about both sides after the break, Ellis scoring a contentious try but the Chiefs again coming up with a telling rebuttal – Sonny Bill Williams negotiating the attention of four defenders and, clutching the ball in one hand, he reached desperately over a mass of bodies to score.
The Chiefs had opportunities to cut into the Saders’ lead, but a combination of poor decision making in good positions, a misfiring lineout and inspiring scrambling on defence denied them. They would also have hoped for a strong bench to galvanise them, and although you could not fault those players’ effort, the Saders’ mettle under pressure came to the fore to deny their determined opponents.
There was a golden opportunity with the siren having sounded, the Chiefs having created a two-man overlap. But Williams failed to pass the ball, instead going in search of his second. The play broke down and referee Steve Walsh ended a captivating contest.
574 Comments
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6 Jul 2012, 12:33 pm
Vrede its time you enrol for some classes so that you can expand your vocabulary.
How is this an “epic’ if the only reason the ‘saders stayed ahead on the scoreboard is due to Walsh’s blatant bias. The result of this match is tainted by poor officiating. Perhaps you were impressed by the ‘saders “epic” defence in the final minutes of play & that’s coloured your opinion on the contest as a whole
6 Jul 2012, 12:34 pm
@chch(chch)-292: Cool, no worries, Saders are through to the quarters at least, they play force next week, but could be an away QF in OZ against Brumbies.
6 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-295:
You have to accept the players that God dealt SA and NZ and so we can ask for the same money as you lot
6 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-295:
I was only commenting on your question about our stadiums.
So seems you know exactly the cut NZ and OZ get.
Please tell us. How much does NZ gets each year from the Super 15.
6 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
Refering is part of the game. Some go your way and others don’t. Whinger changes nothing… Well done Saders…
6 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@TheTackler(TheTackler)-278: Fair point, the accept that the pot should be split 50% SA, 30% Australia and 20% NZ, that’s how much you guys contribute, so its fair to get whats equal to your contribution. I don’t get your argument about equal sharing, based on what?
6 Jul 2012, 12:35 pm
@Gumboots(Gumboots)-294: Thanks, had not known about the new rule.
6 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-307:
Now let’s hope the Stormers can get a bonus point… It is like a bunny on the shoulder…
6 Jul 2012, 12:37 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-298:
Hiya Dawn
Catch up tomorrow during the game. Off to a meeting now, just checking the scores quickly and can’t believe the same bs going on from the same heroes on this site
Laters…
6 Jul 2012, 12:38 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-299:
” When the New Zealanders counter ruck, most of the time they go off their feet. I dont know if I am interpreting the rules wrong or the refs cant see it but isnt that a penalty?”
Sasuke, you are correct, it is a penalty. But while you are so interested in watching what the Kiwi teams are doing, you are actaully missing that the South African teams are doing the same thing.
6 Jul 2012, 12:38 pm
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-302:
Cheers
6 Jul 2012, 12:39 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-306: The split is equal as there iis equal amounts of super rugby teams from each nation, that means equal amounts of matches provided for broadcasting. All teams would get an equal share.
6 Jul 2012, 12:39 pm
@chch(chch)-303: Yes we accept, that’s why you guys win more often on the field than we do, fair, now why should you not accept Gods hand when it comes to us taking the majority of the money that we brought along anyway.
6 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-279: Yes, you fckers! Afterall, the only thing that matters is your winning percentage, isn’t that right? No matter what damage you’re doing to the actual game. You might think I’m a whiner but what I’m realy bemoaning is poor officiating allround. Your Skyspor/NZt propaganda machine made sure that the rest of the world knows that ONLY you can play rugby proper, hence you getting most of the decisions going your way. Just the way it is, I guess… The rest of the world had make do with what we get
6 Jul 2012, 12:41 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-304: I don’t know what NZ get, what I do know, though, is that they shouldn’t be getting anything close to 25% of the share.
6 Jul 2012, 12:42 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-315: Share of what? Are you talking about stadiums or broadcasting contracts?
6 Jul 2012, 12:43 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-310: Really? We dont really counter ruck as a nation. I dont know why though. We should do it more often with our big, powerful forward. We depend mostly on the fetcher to get the ball for us, if not we just dont commit guys to the ruck and get our defence ready.
6 Jul 2012, 12:44 pm
What’s with these Reds’ shirts
Giving me headache
6 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-299: They’ve won ’09 3N’s because of it. And the ref’s still haven’t picked up on it. Nigel Owens did in the 2nd Test vs Ire. Is it any wonder Ireland was in that game for the full 80?
6 Jul 2012, 12:45 pm
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-316: I’m talking about Newscorp money for Super Rugby. Why should the money be split 3 equal ways?, when we are sustaining the existence of the competition.?, why?
6 Jul 2012, 12:46 pm
So it’s looking like Crusaders vs Bulls and just the home ground advantage to be decided.
Looks like I am a Sharks fan this weekend
6 Jul 2012, 12:47 pm
@Sasuke(Sasuke)-317: The off your feet rule is more about how you enter the ruck. Counter rucking by nature needs the players stay on there feet to use their legs to drive over, if they then fall over the ball due to momentum it’s fine and does not constitute as “off your feet”.
That is my understanding anyway.
6 Jul 2012, 12:47 pm
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-314:
So we are worried about our winning percentage….lol of course we are and so is everyone else.
Do you think we are the only ones that make the rules?
Do you think we just put a rule in and say ‘All you losers, follow us ”
I would have thought South Africa have a say in what rules go into the game as well.
Or are you guys just followers and complainers?
Well get blamed for cheating, conspiracy, cheating refs, and now cheating rules all to help us.
lol
Have you ever thought that once in a while a team is better than what South Africa has to offer?
6 Jul 2012, 12:47 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-318: National Aborigine Day
6 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-315:
So you dont know what Nz get?
What is the problem then?
Mate, that would never hold up in court.
6 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-291: That’s coz we wuz cheated.
6 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-320:
So you reckon we take all the money and play ourselves?
6 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-318:
It’s Aboriginal theme week in Queensland
I am sure that is bound to lead to some confusion for Queensland rednecks
6 Jul 2012, 12:49 pm
What a boring game.
6 Jul 2012, 12:50 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-320: How do we sustain the competition? We only have bigger stadiums and more people watching rugby, but NewsCorp does not broadcast in SA but rather in the US,Europe, Australia and NZ. So Newscorp money is due to the quality of the tournament which is equaly spread because each team contributes to the quality of the competition.
6 Jul 2012, 12:51 pm
@chch(chch)-321:
the bulls will beat the sharks
and they will beat the filthy cheats at home
cant see them beating the chiefs away though but would bet on them against the stormers or brumbies if they were to play them.
6 Jul 2012, 12:52 pm
Uptheguts, have a kitkat mate, relax with your conspiracy theories, must’ve been a tough week for you. Have a beer and just watch the game. Whining is an acquired trait, best to steer clear and give it a wide berth.
6 Jul 2012, 12:53 pm
@>^..^< katman(katman)-326:
yes, you guys were cheated Kat.
A huge rip off. Disgusting to say the least.
6 Jul 2012, 12:53 pm
Good luck with getting a play off spot Hurricane.
6th spot might be best as it is a more likely semi-final against the Chiefs
6 Jul 2012, 12:54 pm
@galileo, roundness, union, coach…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-331:
Why do you have roundness in your nic
While you at it explain the whole damn thing
6 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@chch(chch)-334:
Yeah we need some games to go our way and the reds winning isnt it.
6 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-325: Were you always this poor at school?, just because I don’t currently have actual figures, doesn’t negate the principle of the argument, do you understand.
6 Jul 2012, 12:56 pm
@galileo, roundness, union, coach…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-331:
This season I think any top 8 side can beat any other top 8 side on a good day. There are no SA or NZ sides with a sure thing home ground.
6 Jul 2012, 12:58 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-336:
oh if the Reds win tonight then you need them to lose next week. Highlanders not doing a good job for you at the moment
6 Jul 2012, 13:00 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-327: Yes we take whats due to us, if it means NZ and Aus go bankrupt so be it. The must know who pays the piper, just because they are better dances doesn’t mean they can call the tunes.
6 Jul 2012, 13:00 pm
What is the story with the Lions leadership?
Are these their last 2 matches?
6 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
Highlanders try. Game on
6 Jul 2012, 13:02 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-323: Missing the point. My take is AB rugby for the last 3-4 seasons is build on not stretching the laws but breaking them without shame or fear of sanction. Take Breakdown’s view of the ‘off the feet’ law above. How can it be ok to go off your feet when the law says you have to stay on your feet for the entire duration of the breakdown. Especially if you’re effectively killing the contest by going off your feet on the other side? Maybe GH’s gamble, I don’t know byut it worked and it still does. Now, we all know the game. Sometimes momentum and contesting, bodies all over there is no other outcome but going off your feet. I’ve seen rucks where the AB’s, or Crusaders for that matter, go off their feet for no apparent reason. The only conclusion then it was to take up space. Either way ,you’ve got quick ball to release your backs. Mission accomplished. And most importantly, it doesn’t matter to you because…wait for it… You’re winning. And you’ll continue to care less as long as keep on winning. You’re 2007 semi vs Fra is testament to that. That year, you became what you despised most…a whiner!!!!
6 Jul 2012, 13:03 pm
@XhosaKid(XhosaKid)-337:
lol
well your argument may go well at school, but at university/high school, if you have no facts there is no argument.
Waste of time really. I only asked for the facts as i didnt really know myself.
The way you were carrying on pulling out 25% here and there i thought you may have.
Carry on dude, sorry to ask for the facts.
6 Jul 2012, 13:04 pm
Yawn
6 Jul 2012, 13:06 pm
@BreakdownBoy(goodstuff)-330: Locally, Vodacom has sponsored a Billion to 2 teams, Kaizer Chiefs and Pirates, clearly we have enough in our sport to keep rugby professional and profitable, if we pull out of this Super Rugby thing, NZ and Aus domestic competition will virtually come to an end, then Cruden signs for WP, the rest is history…
6 Jul 2012, 13:06 pm
“Back in CT and can’t believe how cold it is (compared to London). Never thought I would ever hear myself say that.(follow Keo on Twitter)”
Ai Keohane.
It is winter you know
6 Jul 2012, 13:08 pm
@Dawn(Dawn)-347: Don’t tell him there’s snow around. You’ll set him off on a wild goose chase.
6 Jul 2012, 13:08 pm
@UptheGuts(UptheGuts)-343:
Yeah i see your point, but is it only the Kiwi teams.teams that do this?
Is it only us that stretch the laws?
And 2007 was not a good year for us and apologise for the constant whining, but i was blogging on keo in 2007. And i honestly didnt make a huge fuss of the useless ref barnes.
I actually handles quite well really. Unlike alot of other Kiwis, in facty most the Kiwis on this site handled it well……… oh no i am going to have bad dreams tonight now
6 Jul 2012, 13:11 pm
@Hurricane(Hurricane)-349:
And i apologise for the bad keyboard skills.
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