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Crusaders in marvellous win

Fri, 14 May 2010 11:33

The look of a winner: Crusaders captain Richie McCaw - Pic: Doug Fitz-Gerald

On a foggy night in Christchurch the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 40-22, scored a bonus point and ensured a semifinal for themselves as they move, at least for the time being, into second place in the Super 14.

The great Crusaders of old would have been proud of the new Crusaders who did it with the same elan, deserving of an even greater win as they tackled better, handled better, scrummed better, were better at the tackle and conceded fewer penalties. They were the better side.

There is no doubt that the Crusaders can win the 2010 Super 14.

It does not matter what team on earth you back, you could only admire, wonder at and be thrilled by the Crusaders. The way they play when they are on song is so good for the game.

Credit their recovery as well. After three successive defeats, intercontinental travel and the heartbreak of Pretoria they played like a refreshed, enthusiastic team.

The Brumbies on the other hand had a comfortable home win last week and a short hop across the Tasman and looked jet-lagged as they bumbled to defeat.

They shared territory with the Crusaders but what they did with their share did not compare. It was above all their handling that let them down and the predatory Crusaders were quick to snatch up every opportunity. In the end the score flattered the Brumbies.

Dan Carter kicked off to start the match and, the sign of things to come, lively, athletic Zac Guildford beat the earthbound Brumbies to the ball and the Crusaders were attacking.

Early on Carter's kicking was wayward - missing two penalty kicks at goal and touch from a penalty but that came right - and his team came right with him.

The Brumbies had early chances. They turned down a simple kick at goal for a five-metre line-out but Stephen Moore knocked on. Near the end of the match they had a second five-metre line-out and again knocked on.

The first Crusader try was so like all the other great Crusader tries as they came racing down the left with an interplay of forwards and backs at speed with sure hands. The main thrust came from left wing Guildford and the try was scored by right wing Sean Maitland. There were two great passes en route - a sling to McCaw by Guildford and a pop from McCaw to Maitland. Carter converted. 7-0 after 12 minutes.

The Brumbies handled and Owen Franks thundered into Moore. They clashed at the head area and Moore was helped off, seemingly with a damaged jaw that took him to hospital.

The Brumbies got on level terms when the Crusaders had the ball and were passing just inside their own half. Daniel Bowden passed towards Read but Tyrone Smith nipped in, intercepted and had an easy run to the posts. 7-7 after 18 minutes.

A knock-on started the next Crusader try, Rocky Elsom passed to prop Salesi Ma'afu who did not ever look like catching the pass in the Crusaders half on their left. Carter snatched up the ball and gave it to Robbie Freuan who gave to Guildford who raced ahead and then grubbered. Huxley took Guildford out after the kick but big Kieran Read, straining, won the race to the ball, dived at it and slid over the line for the try with three Brumbies clinging to him.

There was almost another try at the kick-off when Andrew Ellis kicked downfield but Adam Ashley-Cooper, the bravest of the Brumbies, saved. But the Crusaders were on the charge and went right where Read burst ahead, Tackled by Ashley-Cooper, Read got a pass to the unmarked Owen Franks and the prop had an easy run to the line. 19-7 after 28 minutes.

The Crusaders were running away with the game.

A penalty at a tackle against Ellis gave Giteau a penalty but then the Brumbies barely held on when the Brumbies knocked on and Ben Franks set his side running down the right. Bowden kicked ahead and Colin Slade won the long race to the ball, giving it to George Whitelock who was mown down by Giteau. The ball went to Owen Franks on the right but Ashley-Cooper tacked him into touch at the corner flag.

When George Smith was penalised, Carter made the half-time score 22-10.

Replacement hooker Huia Edmonds had a long and brilliant run down the middle of the field. Huxley helped but it all fizzled out in an unsuccessful maul.

Then came the Brumbies' best moment. They did what the Brumbies of old did so well, playing wide through the phases - first far left then far right where Tyrone Smith got an underarm flick to Ben Alexander and the try-scoring prop was over. 22-17 after 45 minutes.

Often the first try of the half is really significant in the outcome of the game. Would it be the case here?

Sometimes seemingly small things have big consequences. The Brumbies were winning the ball at a tackle/ruck when Josh Valentine petulantly stamped on a Crusader arm. The penalty set up an attacking line-out from which the Crusaders bashed, getting closer and closer to the line till McCaw scored the bonus-point try and left the Brumbies beaten. 29-17 after 52 minutes.

The fog started settling down on the crowd of 28 000, the biggest ever for any event at the refurbished stadium that used to be Lancaster park.

A penalty gave the Crusaders a five-metre line-out. They attacked and then attacked again off a scrum till Carter set Maitland running for the line. He broke two tackles but then lost the ball in diving for the try.

The Brumbies had trouble at the scrums but this escalated at this stage when they were penalsied at four scrums. Carter kicked two penalties to make the score 35-17.

Not that the Brumbies gave up. They had a five-metre line-out but knocked on again.

But when McCaw won a turn-over off George Smith Jarrad Payne gave to Guildford who raced over in the left corner. Bowden's kick was wide.

After two quickly taken penalties the Brumbies went left and Edmonds forced his way past Ben Franks to score a try after the hooter.

The Brumbies gave the conversion to George Smith who received affectionate cheers as he missed, not because he had missed but because he was playing his last match for the Brumbies. A great player was leaving the scene much honoured.

Man of the Match: There was bravery of Adam-Ashley Cooper, the strength and skill of Richie McCaw and the energy of Kieran Read but really the day belonged to that warrior George Smith.

The scorers:

For Crusaders:
Tries: Maitland, Read, Owen Franks, McCaw. Guildford 
Cons: Carter 3
Pens: Carter 3

For Brumbies:
Tries: Tyrone Smith, Alexander, Edmonds
Cons: Giteau 2
Pen: Giteau

The teams:

Crusaders: 15 Colin Slade, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Daniel Bowden, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 George Whitelock, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ti'i Paulo, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Daniel Perrin, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Chris Jack, 19 Thomas Waldrom, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tim Bateman, 22 Jared Payne.

Brumbies: 15 Julian Huxley, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Tyrone Smith, 12 Matt Giteau, 11 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 10 Matt Toomua, 9 Josh Valentine, 8 Stephen Hoiles (captain), 7 George Smith, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 Mitchell Chapman, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Ben Alexander. Replacements: 16 Huia Edmonds, 17 Jerry Yanuyanutawa, 18 Ben Hand, 19 Colby Faingaa, 20 Patrick Phibbs, 21 Brackin Karauria-Henry, 22 Andrew Smith.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Josh Noonan (New Zealand), Kane McBride (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)

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