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Seven-try Crusaders beat Chiefs, Waratahs and Brumbies win
By Peter Thompson
The Crusaders started the defence of their Super Rugby title with a 45-23 bonus-point win over the Chiefs, while the Waratahs snatched a last-gasp victory and the Brumbies also triumphed on Saturday.
In August, Crusaders were crowned champions for the first time since 2008 and set about trying to claim back-to-back titles with a success at AMI Stadium.
Scott Robertson's side outscored their New Zealand rivals by seven tries to two, finishing strongly after Chiefs led 20-19 midway through the second half.
The champions led 19-3 following five-pointers from Matt Todd, Richie Mo'unga and Jordan Taufua, but Dave Rennie's men cut the gap to only two points at half-time courtesy of scores from Sam Cane and Solomona Alaimalo.
Damian McKenzie's second penalty edged Chiefs in front, but captain Sam Whitelock charged over to put Crusaders back in the lead and they were given breathing space when a penalty try was awarded after Ryan Crotty was taken out by a high tackle when diving for the corner.
Intercept tries from George Bridge and Manasa Mataele late on put Crusaders out of sight.
Ned Hanigan scored the decisive try after the hooter as Waratahs beat Stormers 34-27 at Allianz Stadium.
The two sides were locked at 17-17 at the break and there was still nothing to choose between them until Waratahs turned the ball over at a lineout and Hanigan went over to raise the roof, Bernard Foley converting to stay perfect from the tee and finish with 14 points.
Brumbies got the better of the Sunwolves, but had to come from behind to win 32-25 in Dan McKellar's first game in charge at Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium.
Tom Banks, Tevita Kuridrani, Kyle Godwin, Josh Mann-Rea and Lachlan McCaffrey scored the Brumbies tries, with Hosea Saumaki claiming a double for the Japanese side.
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Latest Comments
SCW really dislikes Eddie, doesn't he?
His words in 2019 before the RWC final that he now says should have resulted in Eddie's firing:
"Was Saturday’s sensational World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand England’s greatest ever performance? Yes, unquestionably, would be my answer."
So let's fire the coach one game later? Duh!
Go to commentsIreland have every right to back themselves for a win. But the key variable has little to do with recent record etc.
The reality is that Ireland are a settled team with tons of continuity, an established style, and a good depth chart, whereas NZ are fundamentally rebuilding. The questions are all about what Razor is doing and how far along he is in that program.
NZ are very close to really clicking. Against England all of the chatter is about how England could have closed out a win, but failed to do so. This has obscured the observation that NZ were by far the more creative and effective in attack, beyond the 3-1 try differential and disallowed tries. They gave away a lot of unnecessary penalties, and made many simple errors (including knock-ons and loose kicks). Those things are very fixable, and when they do so we are once again going to be staring at a formidable NZ team.
Last week we heard the England fans talking confidently about their chances against NZ, but England did not end up looking like the better team on the field or the scoreboard. The England defense was impressive enough, but still could not stop the tries.
Ireland certainly has a better chance, of course, but NZ is improving fast, and I would not be surprised at a convincing All Black win this week. It may turn on whether NZ can cut out the simple mistakes.
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