Crusaders pull off record comeback to down Waratahs, Sunwolves claim first win
The Crusaders produced the biggest comeback in Super Rugby history to beat the Waratahs 31-29 and Hayden Parker starred as the Sunwolves claimed their first win of the season with a drubbing of the Reds on Saturday.
Defending champions the Crusaders looked set to be denied a seventh consecutive win when Daryl Gibson's men opened up a 29-0 lead with just less than half an hour played at AMI Stadium.
Tries from Cam Clark, Taqele Naiyaravoro, Israel Folau and Curtis Rona, along with nine points from the boot of Bernard Foley, had left the holders shell-shocked.
But there was still plenty of time for Scott Robertson's side to pull off a fightback and they turned the tide in style to claim a historic victory.
Joe Moody, Codie Taylor and Seta Tamanivalu went over to reduce the Waratahs' lead to 29-19 at the break and the Crusaders completed a stunning turnaround in the second half.
Braydon Ennor went over in the left corner with the Waratahs under immense pressure and referee Ben O'Keeffe awarded a penalty try with 12 minutes to play following a string of scrum infringements from the visitors.
Foley then missed a penalty from 40 metres out with five minutes to play and the Crusaders held on to replace the Hurricanes at the top of the overall standings.
Parker claimed a Sunwolves-record 36 points and Hosea Saumaki scored a second-half hat-trick in a 63-28 demolition of the Reds.
The Sunwolves scored six tries in their biggest-ever victory, Parker among the try-scorers and also slotting over seven penalties and five conversions to give the Japanese side a first win of the campaign.
Lima Sopoaga scored 19 points as the Highlanders responded their defeat of the Sharks by claiming an 11th straight home win, defeating the Lions 39-27 at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
The Rebels produced a rousing fightback to beat the Brumbies 27-24, Reece Hodge settling it with a last-gasp penalty and Tom English scoring a first-half double as the Melbourne side rallied from 24-10 down going into the final quarter.
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I have heard it asked if RA is essentially one of the part owners and I suppose therefor should be on the other side of these two parties. If they purchased the rebels and guaranteed them, and are responsible enough they incur Rebels penalties, where is this line drawn? Seems rough to have to pay a penalty for something were your involvement sees you on the side of the conned party, the creditors. If the Rebels directors themselves have given the club their money, 6mil worth right, why aren’t they also listed as sitting with RA and the Tax office? And the legal threat was either way, new Rebels or defunct, I can’t see how RA assume the threat was less likely enough to warrant comment about it in this article. Surely RA ignore that and only worry about whether they can defend it or not, which they have reported as being comfortable with. So in effect wouldn’t it be more accurate to say there is no further legal threat (or worry) in denying the deal. Unless the directors have reneged on that. > Returns of a Japanese team or even Argentinean side, the Jaguares, were said to be on the cards, as were the ideas of standing up brand new teams in Hawaii or even Los Angeles – crazy ideas that seemingly forgot the time zone issues often cited as a turn-off for viewers when the competition contained teams from South Africa. Those timezones are great for SR and are what will probably be needed to unlock its future (cant see it remaining without _atleast _help from Aus), day games here are night games on the West Coast of america, were potential viewers triple, win win. With one of the best and easiest ways to unlock that being to play games or a host a team there. Less good the further across Aus you get though. Jaguares wouldn’t be the same Jaguares, but I still would think it’s better having them than keeping the Rebels. The other options aren’t really realistic 25’ options, no. From reading this authors last article I think if the new board can get the investment they seem to be confident in, you keeping them simply for the amount of money they’ll be investing in the game. Then ditch them later if they’re not good enough without such a high budget. Use them to get Jaguares reintergration stronger, with more key players on board, and have success drive success.
Go to commentsYeah, and ours is waaay bigger than yours. Just as you's get a semi…oh hold on that never happens
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