Crusaders hold on for tight South Island derby win over Highlanders
The Crusaders have held on through a scoreless second half and with 14 men for the last three minutes to beat the Highlanders 17-14 in Super Rugby Pacific.
Both teams scored two tries in a first half of tit-for-tat scoring and a penalty by All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo'unga in the 26th minute proved unexpectedly decisive in Christchurch on Friday night.
The winless Highlanders spent much of the second half and almost all of the final quarter on attack.
But they were unable to break down the resolute Crusaders' defence which refused to yield even when replacement hooker Shilo Klein was shown a red card in 77th minute for a shoulder charge which struck the head of Highlanders prop Ethan de Groot.
The Crusaders showed a remarkable ability to hold out under concerted pressure and to win crucial turnovers at the tackled ball through players such as flanker Ethan Blackadder and winger Sevu Reece.
"It was a heck of a battle," Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said. "The conditions forced both teams into playing that pressure game and it was a real see-saw right to the final whistle."
The first half had all the action the second half lacked. The Highlanders twice were in front and on both occasions the Crusaders were able to reply.
Highlanders hooker Andrew Makalio scored the first converted try of the match in the seventh minute from a clever lineout move worked with backrower Shannon Frizell.
The Crusaders replied in the 13th with a try to prop Fletcher Newell, created by centre David Havili who recovered his own kick on attack and quickly moved the ball to Mitchell Drummond, who fed Newell at pace.
The Highlanders again went ahead in the 19th minute with a try to centre Scott Gregory, also converted by Ben Hunt.
Again the Crusaders responded, this time through a powerful run by centre Leicester Fainga'anuku.
In the meantime Mo'unga kicked the penalty that proved the difference between the teams.
"I was really proud of our effort," Highlander s captain Aaron Smith said. "We were able to stay in the game for 80 minutes and put the best team in the competition under a lot of pressure."
The Highlanders remain without a win after six matches while the Crusaders have five wins from six games.
Crusaders 17 (Tries to Fletcher Newell and Leicester Fainga'anuku; 2 conversions and penalty to Richie Mo'unga)
Highlanders 14 (Tries to Andrew Makalio and Scott Gregory; 2 conversions to Mitch Hunt)
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Ben Smith you really make some good points in this article, the Springboks were not close to perfect and good still beat the All Blacks, imagine if they were as good as they were against France what a hiding the All Blacks would have gotten… maybe another Twickenham drubbing
Go to commentsIt is a good argument to keep the Rebels for one more year but also isnt this just opening the door as well for keeping them beyond 2025. If they can create some sort of financial stability in the next year and if their performances lift as they have this season then how would RA even cull them after that? It might be the most cost effective decision at this stage and perhaps many people are guilty of keeping relationships going because of the cost to decouple but then again when does that ever work out well?
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