Champion Crusaders on the march in Melbourne
The Crusaders crushed the Melbourne Rebels and extended their record-breaking win of successive Super Rugby matches outside New Zealand to 11. The tournament’s 2017 champions won 55-10 after trailing 10-5.
The Crusaders, who led 13-10 at halftime, scored eight tries, with the final two tries coming in the final five minutes.
The Crusaders also welcomed back All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. The talented No 10 broke his jaw against the Stormers six weeks ago was introduced as a second half replacement. He kicked two conversions and a penalty and saw out the match.
- The Crusaders have won five of their last six games against the Rebels, including their last three. They have scored 181 points in those last three matches.
- The Rebels have lost their last seven games on the bounce at home against teams from New Zealand by an average margin of 26 points per game.
- The Crusaders have won their last eight games in a row in Australia, their longest ever winning streak in the country.
- Manasa Mataele has scored six tries in his last three matches.
Scorers:
Rebels 10 (10)
Try: Reece Hodge
Conversion: Jack Debreczeni
Penalty: Debreczeni
Crusaders 55 (10)
Tries: Seta Tamanivalu, Andrew Makalio (2), Jack Goodhue, Peter Samu, Bryn Hall, Wyatt Crockett, Manasa Mataele
Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (2), Mitch Hunt (4)
Penalty: Mo’unga
Teams:
Rebels
15 Jack Maddocks, 14 Sefa Naivalu, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Billy Meakes, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Jack Debreczeni, 9 Will Genia, 8 Amanaki Mafi, 7 Colby Fainga’a, 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Geoff Parling, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Anaru Rangi, 1 Fereti Sa’aga
Substitutes: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Tetera Faulkner, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Lopeti Timani, 21 Michael Ruru, 22 Tom English, 23 Semisi Tupou
Crusaders
15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Jordan Taufua, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Makalio, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Michael Alaalatoa, 19 Mitchell Dunshea, 20 Heiden Bedwell-Curtis, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Mitch Hunt, 23 Manasa Mataele
