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Crusaders blitz the Blues

Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:26

Back in tandem: Crusaders Richie McCaw and Kieran Read

The Crusaders eased past the Blues, courtesy of a two-try blitz midway through the second half, as they scored a crucial 33-20 win in this New Zealand north-south Super 14 derby in Christchurch on Saturday.

It is true, as Shakespeare knew, that there is a tide in the affairs of men which, if taken on the full, leads on to victory. It was a flash tide, a sudden moment that turned a game. It came with the scores close - 16-15 to the Crusaders, the boot of Stephen Brett keeping the Blues up there with the Crusaders in the Battle of North-South.

The Crusades' kicked down towards the right where Rudi Wulf ran back to collect the ball. He did well to stay in touch but then, back to the Crusaders heeded the call of Joe Rokocoko for the ball. He sent a long pass towards the tall wing  but the ball did not reach its destination as Ryan Crotty came racing in, intercepted and had an easy run to the posts.

That was a big moment in the match and eventually the Crusaders' win looked easy. It was not easy. It was an intense match in which tackles were strong and the post-tackle fiercely contested. There was not a lot between the two sides - except fort Dan Carter. But eventually the injuries severely disrupted the Blues as first Benson Stanley, then Joe Rokocoko and finally Stephen Brett had to be replaced. Scrumhalf Chris Smylie ended on the wing. But even that dilapidated state the Blues managed a try by Albie Mathewson and nearly got another at the end when left wing Zac Guildford tackled replacement hooker Tom McCartney into touch at the cornerpost. A try would have given the Blues the chance of a near-loser's bonus point.

The Blues started well on top. They mauled the first kick-off well up the field and Carter was called on to save the situation when Rene Ranger grubbed down to the Crusaders' line.

The home defence was strong but eventually Brett opened the scoring with a penalty. 3-0 after six minutes. Two minutes later it was 6-0 when Brett dropped a goal which the television match official confirmed.

Mathewson had a casual moment behind a tackle,. got nailed by Wyatt Crockett and conceded a penalty which Carter goaled. 6-3 after 10 minutes.

After the Blues' early surge the Crusaders got ball and more and more came back into the game, Carter levelling the scores on 15 minutes when Jerome Kaino was penalised for a high tackle. The Blues kicked off, Crockett obstructed and Brett goaled to put the visitors back in front.

Then came the first try. The Crusaders went right, Serge Lilo went too far to his left and Carter cutting inside him, gave to fullback Jared Payne on his right and Payne played back inside to energetic George Whitelock to had a straight run to the posts. 13-6 to the Crusaders after 19 minutes.

After this the Blues got close but did  not regain the lead. They go closer after a 30-metre burst by Viliami Ma'afu that produced a penalty against George Whitelock that Brett goaled. 13-12 after 21 minutes.

The Crusaders were close when Andy Ellis chipped a kick and covering Mathewson was caught on his line but the eager Blues recovered. Ellis chipped and Guildford caught it and was close as the Crusaders kept up the pressure. Brett was penalised at a tackle and then George Whitelock was penalised at a tackle, to make the half-time score 16-15 to the home side.

George Whitelock wore 7 in this match with Richie McCaw looking strange with a 6 on his back.

The second half was even till on 56 minutes Crotty got the try that changed the tide. 23-15 and 26-15 four minutes later when Tom Chamberlain went in at the aside of a tackle.

Brett got close when he chipped and caught but the Crusaders ran from a knock-on near their line to change defence into attack.

They had a line-out on their left and the ball came to Carter. Robbie Fruean was slightly ahead of his other back but Carter got him with a long, perfect pass. The muscular centre burst through Brett and raced away to score a powerful try. 33-15 after 66 minutes.

Brett was injured in his attempted tackle.

With five minutes to go Mathewson was tackled and players gathered but Mathewson released the ball, got up, picked up the ball and darted over for a lively player's try. 33-20.

The Blues were not entirely done and it was only a flying tackle by Guildford on McCartney that prevented a try for the visitors. 

The only disappointing aspect for the Crusaders would be that they did not get the four-try bonus point - as their second-half dominance was deserving of more.

Man of the Match: Dan Carter - the calm, talented Dan Carter who steered the good ship Crusaders to victory.

The scorers:

For the Crusaders:
Tries: Whitelock, Crotty, Fruean
Cons: Carter 3
Pens: Carter 4

For the Blues:
Try: Mathewson
Pens: Brett 4
DG: Brett

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Jared Payne, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 George Whitelock, 6 Richie McCaw (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Peter Borlase, 18 Isaac Ross, 19 Jonathan Poff, 20 Kahn Fotuali'i, 21 Adam Whitelock, 22 Colin Slade.

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

Referee: Keith Brown (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Glenn Newman (New Zealand)

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