• Fixtures
• Results

Carter's Crusaders just too good

Thu, 04 Feb 2010 11:31

The Crusaders, inspired by the return of several frontline All Blacks, beat the Blues 21-12 in their final Super 14 pre-season match in front of a crowd of 8115 at a sun-drenched Rugby Park, in Motueka, on Thursday.

Dan Carter scored 11 points, including a try and three conversions, and played the first 55 minutes after sitting out last week's pre-season loss to the Reds in Brisbane.

The Crusaders led 21-5 at half-time in front of an enthusiastic crowd - following tries from All Blacks Andy Ellis, Kieran Read (also playing their first 2010 match for the Crusaders) and Carter.

The Crusaders took control of the match early against the Blues, who went into the game having won their previous two pre-season games against the Hurricanes and the Chiefs.

But the Blues rallied in the second half, scoring a try through wing Rene Ranger and keeping the Crusaders scoreless.

The Crusaders scrumhalf, Ellis, began the scoring after 10 minutes when scurrying through a gap from 15 metres out and crashing over the line in a tackle. Carter converted.

Joe Rokocoko replied soon after with a try to the Blues wide out on the right after the Crusaders ran out of defenders. Dan Kirkpatrick missed the conversion attempt.

Flank Read, who joined the match off the bench, added to the Crusaders score when pushed over from close range to make it 14-5 after Carter's conversion.

Former Crusaders flyhalf Stephen Brett came off the bench in the second half and set up the Blues' second try with an inside pass which put wing Rene Ranger under the posts.

Wing Rokocoko looked full of running for the Blues and their line-out performed well in the absence of the injured Ali Williams.

For the Crusaders, Ellis had a strong 40 minutes at scrumhalf and Brad Thorn and Red made big impacts whenever they were on the field.

Colin Slade, who started the game off the bench and moved to flyhalf when Carter went off, was dangerous with the ball and made several breaks.

Scorers:

For the Crusaders:
Tries: Ellis, Read, Carter
Cons: Carter 3

For the Blues:
Tries: Rokocoko, Ranger
Con: Brett

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Robert Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Kade Poki, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Thomas Waldrom, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Joe Wheeler, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Peter Borlase, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements - from: Corey Flynn, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Jonathan Poff, Willie Heinz, Tom Taylor, Colin Slade, Matt Todd, Ash Parker, Andrew Olorenshaw, Quentin MacDonald, Owen Franks.

Blues: 15 Paul Williams, 14 Rene Ranger, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Kirkpatrick, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Viliami Ma'afu, 7 Serge Lilo, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Filo Paulo, 4 Kurtis Haiu, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Tom McCartney, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Peter Saili, 19 Tom Chamberlain, 20 Chris Smylie, 21 Stephen Brett, 22 Rudi Wulf.

Referee: Chris Pollock

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