Champions Crusaders edge past impressive Reds

Colin Newboult

George Bridge of the Crusaders during the 2019 Super Rugby match between Bulls and Crusaders at the Loftus Versveld Stadium, Pretoria on the 10 May 2019 ©Muzi Ntombela/BackpagePix

The Reds outscored the Crusaders four tries to three but the defending champions did just enough to snatch a 24-20 triumph in Christchurch on Friday.

It secured a fourth victory in 2020 for the New Zealanders, who look a side capable of claiming another title under Scott Robertson, but they were pushed throughout by their stubborn opponents.

The Queenslanders were the better team in the opening period, touching down twice through Harry Wilson and Chris Feauai-Sautia, but they could only go into the break level at 10-10 and the hosts punished their profligacy in the second half.

Despite the sides trading two tries apiece, with George Bridge and Leicester Fainga’anuku going over for the hosts and Taniela Tupou and Henry Speight responding for the Reds, Richie Mo’unga’s goal-kicking was the difference.

Brad Thorn’s men have struggled in the early stages of the season and this latest defeat – their fifth of the year – will not have necessarily improved his mood, but he would have been pleased with their display.

Although the Crusaders were dominant in the first 10 minutes, eventually touching down via All Black Joe Moody, the visitors proceeded to control the rest of the half.

They played some excellent rugby with Jock Campbell to the fore and the full-back found Feauai-Sautia on the right wing, who had an easy run to the line.

The home side responded with a penalty from the boot of Mo’unga but Thorn’s charges were in the ascendancy and finding holes in their opponents’ defence.

Hunter Paisami ran hard while the industrious number eight Wilson was once again impressive and the youngster was rewarded for his efforts with a try.

For the second time, Campbell was awry with the conversion and that lack of accuracy proved costly, with Mo’unga’s ability off the tee allowing the hosts to move away in the second period.

Bridge and Tupou traded tries at the start of the second period but the Crusaders’ fly-half added the extras to give them a two-point buffer and, when Fainga’anuku touched down following a brilliant move, it forced the Australians to chase the game.

To their credit, the Reds hit back magnificently, producing a superb attack which ended in Speight going over, but their missed kicks allowed the New Zealanders to escape with the victory.

The Brisbane outfit remain in third place in the Australian Conference after the Waratahs were thrashed 51-14 by the Chiefs. Rob Penney’s men did well to come back from 13-0 down to lead at the break via Kurtley Beale and Jack Dempsey tries, but the visitors dominated in the second half.

Brad Weber went over twice in quick succession before Sean Wainui, Lachlan Boshier, Solomon Alaimalo and Anton Lienert-Brown completed a fine win for Warren Gatland’s side.

In the early game, the Brumbies continued their impressive start to the season with a comfortable 47-14 triumph over the Sunwolves.

The Australians were too good for their opponents and were in control throughout the encounter, touching down seven times.

All the try-scorers were different with Ryan Lonergan, Will Miller, Rob Valetini, Toni Pulu, Tevita Kuridrani, Solomone Kata and Joe Powell all crossing the whitewash, while Efi Ma’afu and Michael Stolberg responded for the Japanese outfit.

Brumbies