The Crusaders claimed a narrow 16-14 victory over the Waratahs in a warm-up match in Sydney on Thursday.
The Christchurch-based franchise raced into a 13-0 lead at half-time thanks to a try by prop Pa'ea Fununu off a rolling maul. Dan Carter kicked the conversion and also added two penalties during this period.
The hosts fought back well in the second half with Israel Folau - who was named man of the match - impressing with several line breaks.
The Waratahs struck back with tries by Lopeti Timani and Luke Holmes, which Brendan McKibbin converted, but Tom Taylor sealed the win for the visitors with a late penalty.
The scorers:
For Waratahs:
Tries: L Timani, Holmes
Con: McKibbin 2
For Crusaders:
Try: Fununu
Con: Carter
Pen: Carter 2, Taylor
Waratahs: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Tom Kingston, 10 Ben Volavola, 9 Grayson Hart, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Hickey, 6 Dave Dennis (c) 5 Mitchell Chapman, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements (from): Luke Holmes, John Ulugia, Paddy Ryan, Jeremy Tilse, Brendan McKibbin, James Hilgendorf, Cam Crawford, Michael Hodge, Drew Mitchell, Michael Hooper, Jed Holloway, Lopeti Timani, Kane Douglas, Greg Peterson.
Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Adam Whitelock, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Johnny McNicholl, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements (from): Codie Taylor, Joe Moody, Dominic Bird, Luke Whitelock, Willi Heinz, Tom Taylor, Tom Marshall, Telusa Veianu, Shane Christie, Tom Donnelly, Corey Flynn.
Comments
Trinats2 says...
Didn't see the whole game, but by all accounts Tahs ran everything, Crusaders kicked everything. That's a role reversal ! maybe Tahs should have taken one of the penalties in front of the posts.
Posted 21:13 14th February 2013