The Crusaders routed the Highlanders in the 2nd half as they cruised to a 44-13 win in the Investec Super Rugby match at Carisbrook on Saturday.
skysport.co.nz, Saturday, 19 March 2011 7:53 p.m.
Photo: Getty The Crusaders routed the Highlanders in the 2nd half as they cruised to a 44-13 win in the Investec Super Rugby match at Carisbrook on Saturday.
The Crusaders scored six tries, four in the final quarter, as they overpowered the weary Highlanders.
The Crusaders dominance started at the scrum and continued through the tight five and the loose trio and into their lethal backs where Robbie Fruean and Israel Dagg were lethal on attack.
The Highlanders looked tired and jaded and were a shade of the squad which won their first three games.
There was short for their supporters to urge about as they spent most of the back on the rear foot, the only joy a consolation try to loose forward Adam Thomson on the final whistle.
The Crusaders had won 12 of their previous 18 matches against the Highlanders and went into the back with 11 present or by All Blacks in the starting lineup and 3 more in the reserves.
The Highlanders, who had won their first three games, had lost 6-18 to the Stormers in around five while the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 52-10.
The Crusaders scored first after a tap penalty, centre Robbie Fruean sliding across in thetackle of James Paterson and Shaun Treeby and video match official Richard Kelly confirming the try. Carter converted.
The Crusaders did nearly all the attacking in the 1st quarter and the Highlanders' cause was not helped by two missed penalty attempts by Tony Brown.
But he kicked penalties after 25 and 33 minutes, the 2d after lock Sam Whitelock had been sin-binned for a foul, and the Crusaders' lead had been cut to 7-6.
But Carter kicked two penalties from 35 metres in the final 4 minutes of the spelland the Crusaders led 10-6 at halftime.
It was a deserved lead. The Highlanders seldom threatened and Brown struggled with his goal kicking, succeeding with but two out of six. The Crusaders played with more confidence and continuity.
The Highlanders had not played with sufficient confidence to work the crew of more than 20,000 into work and the panorama seemed set for the Crusaders to rule the 2nd half.
The started it with a bang, hooker Corey Flynn snaffling a turnover and Sam Whitelock throwing a lovely pass which sent captain and No 8 Kieran Read racing 30metres for a fine try and an 18-6 lead.
The Highlanders brought on Jamie Mackintosh and Jason Rutledge but the Crusaders continued to use most of the force and meet the stake in enemy territory.
The Highlanders' goal-kicking woes continued, Robbie Robinson missing a straightforward attempt which made the success ratio three from seven.
The Crusaders ruthlessly punished turnovers, Fruean bursting clear, Sean Maitland being brought low by the posts and Israel Dagg getting the intersection to score. Carter converted from wide out and the Crusaders led 25-6 with 21 minutes remaining.
The Crusaders scored their 4th and bonus point 12 minutes from the end when they overpowered the Highlanders at a scrum and replacement halfback Kahn Fotuali'i scored below the posts. Carter converted and the Crusaders led 35-6.
It was all the Crusaders now and Dagg scored his second try to go the head to 40-6.
Then Sonny Bill Williams helped lay on a try for replacement prop Wyatt Crockett and Matt Berquist's conversion made it 44-6.
Highlanders 13
Try: Thomson.
Con: Robinson.
Pen: Brown 2.
Crusaders 44
Tries: Fruean, Read, Dagg, 2, Fotuali'i, Crockett.
Con: Carter3, Berquist.
Pen: Carter 2.
HT: 6-13
No comments:
Post a Comment