Saders get the job done

Saders get the job done

14 Jul 2012

GARETH DUNCAN watched the Crusaders book a home wildcard play-off place with a 38-24 bonus-point win over the Force in Christchurch.

The Crusaders’ objective for this match was clear: secure the win with four tries, and they’ll have home ground advantage for the wildcard play-offs next weekend. And Todd Blackaddder’s charges did so convincingly, crossing the chalk for the fourth time by the 36th minute.

The hosts delivered an effective attacking performance in the first half, spreading the ball from end to end and exposing a weak Force defence with smart interplay and strong runs. This saw fullback Israel Dagg, wing Sean Maitland, scrumhalf Andy Ellis and flank Matt Todd score tries.

However, Dagg and Ellis’ five-pointers were questionable according to the television replays. Dagg, who sneaked in at the corner inside 50 seconds, lost the ball forward, while Ellis made a clear double movement 30 minutes later. But both tries were still approved by the TMO.

Maitland capitalised from a smart set-piece move, while Todd powered over following good continuity with ball in hand. Flyhalf Dan Carter added three conversions and three penalties.

The Force struggled on attack, and only managed a penalty via pivot Ben Seymour. The Crusaders held a 32-3 at the break.

With a comfortable buffer and the four-try bonus point in the bag, Blackadder decided to take off skipper Richie McCaw and Carter at half-time. But these changes saw the Crusaders struggle to build momentum in the second stanza.

They failed to cross the chalk in the final 40, and only managed two penalties via replacement flyhalf Tom Taylor.

The Force took advantage of the Crusaders’ shortcomings and rallied through for three consolation tries via reserve flyhalf Kyle Godwin, fullback Alfie Mafi and replacement scrumhalf Josh Holmes.

Blackadder will be disappointed with his team’s finish to the match, but he’ll be delighted with the fact that the Crusaders will start the knock-out phase on their own turf.


83 Comments

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  • 51.Slappes: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:39 am

    Reds vs Sharks, Saders vs Bulls … Squeaky bums for sa sides.

  • 52.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:40 am

    @Slappes(Slappes)-51: Bit early to call that!

  • 53.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:41 am

    @Slappes(Slappes)-51:

    I think the Sharks will prefer the warmer Brisvagas to a very cold Canberra too.

  • 54.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:41 am

    fewest please not least. You can count them!

  • 55.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:44 am

    Why don’t the play here in Cairns. At 1842 it is now a very cool 25 C. Not bad for mid-winter. Also not much rain this time of year.

  • 56.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:48 am

    Amazed we didn’t get awarded that try too. Maybe they should have gone to the TMO :)

  • 57.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:48 am

    @chch(chch)-53:

    Brisvegas very similar to Durban too but hey Brumbies much better bet…

    Reds are very dangerous…

  • 58.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:50 am

    @AiDoc(AiDoc)-55:
    Pity any teams coming to Nz…….it is freezing here..hehe

  • 59.nama1: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:55 am

    @yank(yank)-49:
    “Each conference will have one winner and therefore Australia, South Africa and New Zealand will each be gauranteed to have one team participating in the finals. Where these teams finish will determine home advantage for the play offs.

    In week 1 of the finals the two conference winners with the highest points will be rewarded with a week off. The conference winner with the lowest points or the third placed team will enter a sudden death play off with the sixth placed team.”

    As things stand, the Brumbies are the conference winner with the lowest points or the third placed team.

    You can’t have two teams from the same conference in the top three.

  • 60.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 10:55 am

    Crusaders not looking like the same team without Mccaw and Carter.

  • 61.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:00 am

    Looks like fourth place is confirmed. Now we need to find out who comes 1,2 and 3….

  • 62.wallabie.: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:01 am

    Of all the teams the Force have the ruffest travel deal. Every game away from home is at least 4 hours flight or 8 hours turnaround. they probably don’t look forward to derby games whilst it is in the their conference they travel heaps. to QLD and NSW..9 hour turnaround, Melbourne 8 hrs. then to RSA is a 16hr turnaround. to NZ approx 18 hours.

  • 63.Pencil: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:01 am

    zac Guilford has some of the worst ball skills/passing I’ve seen on a professional rugby player. I’m amazed this guy made the AB’s.

  • 64.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:08 am

    the saders are a very cynical side when they’re not having it easy…vuil vuil vuil.

  • 65.viewer: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:09 am

    Blackadder made too many subs too quickly. Saders have scored just 6 points this half. Match petering out into a stalemate

  • 66.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:11 am

    @Pencil(Pencil)-63:
    He is ungainly looking with ball in hand…..gives me the shitts when he gets the pill…..but hey at least he gets the ball, as compared to other teams who are to afraid to show any skill

  • 67.Guns: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:11 am

    Got a bit ahead of themselves there but they will of course be fine… Could have been worse for the Force.

  • 68.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:13 am

    Well Done Saders – home quarterfinal…

  • 69.nama1: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:14 am

    If this was a SA team playing against the Crusaders today, the score would’ve been much higher after that onslaught by the Saders in the 1st half.

    The Force actually won the 2nd half.

    Yes, the Saders took their foot of the paddle but the Force never stopped playing.

    Well done.

  • 70.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:18 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-66: lol..kinda like when morne tries to run with the ball he is so awkward & gives me the same heebee geebees

  • 71.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:19 am

    Saders different team without Dan and Richie

  • 72.stormerforlife1: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:19 am

    Still a chance for the Lions to end second last. :D

  • 73.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:19 am

    wow, a game of 2 halves but the game was already won.

    A home game next week vs one of Brumbies, Hurricanes, Bulls, Sharks, Reds

  • 74.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:20 am

    @chch(chch)-73:

    Your preference?

  • 75.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:21 am

    @chch(chch)-73:

    Well done! Your team is looking really good…

  • 76.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:22 am

    Now for the Oz conference decider… Hmmm

  • 77.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:24 am

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-74:

    The Bulls. I think it is farcical that we have not played them yet. Damn SANZAR

  • 78.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:24 am

    @Gumboots(Gumboots)-75:
    Cheers

  • 79.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:28 am

    @chch(chch)-77:
    Well done to your team ChCh…..me hoping they face Bulls next week.

  • 80.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:30 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-79:

    Cheers Te Rangatira … who are your team?

  • 81.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:39 am

    @chch(chch)-80:
    The once Mighty Blues…..2013 here we come

  • 82.chch: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 11:40 am

    @Te Rangatira(Te Rangatira)-81:

    :)

  • 83.Fatflanker: Reply to this comment
    14 Jul 2012, 15:19 pm

    @chch(chch)-36: Only one side got any charity in this particular match, that’s for sure.

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