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Crusaders too good for Stormers, Maddocks hat-trick in Rebels history
By Peter Hanson
The Crusaders put the Stormers to the sword in a seven-try 45-28 beating, while Jack Maddocks' hat-trick helped the Rebels to a slice of history on Saturday.
Super Rugby champions Crusaders started their campaign with a 45-23 win over the Chiefs last weekend, and were in free-flowing form once again in Christchurch.
A devastating first-half blitz saw George Bridge, Codie Taylor, Billy Harmon and Bryn Hall touch down inside 20 minutes.
JC Janse van Rensburg put Stormers on the board, but Bridge had a second before the half-time whistle when he latched onto a grubber kick, as Crusaders led 31-7 at the break.
Stormers needed a fast reply and had just that with Wilco Louw dotting down after a quick break from Seabelo Senatla, and JD Schickerling scoring after more relentless pressure.
But Crusaders rallied again, a rolling maul eventually seeing the ball pop to Seta Tamanivalu, while Richie Mo'unga side-stepped three defenders for a brilliant try that further extended the score.
Steven Kitshoff had the last say for Stormers, but they have now lost seven straight Super Rugby matches to the New Zealand side.
Elsewhere, Rebels won their opening two Super Rugby fixtures for the first time in their eight-year history, with a 37-17 defeat of Japanese side Sunwolves.
Maddocks was the hero as he became the first Rebel to score a Super Rugby hat-trick, with a 27-point second-half romp doing the damage to help captain Adam Coleman celebrate his 50th appearance in the competition with a win.
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Latest Comments
It certainly needs to be cherished. Despite Nick (and you) highlighting their usefulness for teams like Australia (and obviously those in France they find form with) I (mention it general in those articles) say that I fear the game is just not setup in Aus and NZ to appreciate nor maximise their strengths. The French game should continue to be the destination of the biggest and most gifted athletes but it might improve elsewhere too.
I just have an idea it needs a whole team focus to make work. I also have an idea what the opposite applies with players in general. I feel like French backs and halves can be very small and quick, were as here everyone is made to fit in a model physique. Louis was some 10 and 20 kg smaller that his opposition and we just do not have that time of player in our game anymore. I'm dying out for a fast wing to appear on the All Blacks radar.
But I, and my thoughts on body size in particular, could be part of the same indoctrination that goes on with player physiques by the establishment in my parts (country).
Go to commentsHis best years were 2018 and he wasn't good enough to win the World Cup in 2023! (Although he was voted as the best player in the world in 2023)
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