Match Reports

The Crusaders have beaten the Sharks 44-28 in a thrilling encounter at Twickenham, London.

It was a match which had everything, thrilling attack, a masterclass from Sonny Bill Williams, a comeback from the Sharks and finally, a Crusaders victory in front of a crowd of 35,094.

In the end the Crusaders played the final five minutes with only 14 players due to injuries to lock Sam Whitelock, No8 and captain Kieran Read and first-five Dan Carter.

Williams, who had an outstanding game at second-five, packed down at blindside flanker for the final scrum of the match.

His attacking threat and bruising defence drew praise from head coach Todd Blackadder afterwards. Williams’ offloads and bone-jarring tackles drew gasps from the big crowd not used to such a spectacle.

Sean Maitland scored two tries, his speed a real weapon as usual. Also on the score sheet was Israel Dagg, Zac Guildford and Dan Carter.

Carter was in phenomenal form, scoring a try, four conversions and three penalties.

Make no mistake, this Sharks team are physically imposing and they came out to make a statement. Their forwards are massive and they used their bulk well when carrying the ball. As the momentum of the game shifted their way in the second half, their big ball runners kept the Crusaders on the back foot.

The halftime score was 34-18 and the Crusaders were running riot following an early setback when Willem Alberts scored a try which was confirmed by the TMO.

After two Carter penalties, Maitland scored his first try following good work by Guildford and Wyatt Crockett, the big prop getting involved like an outside back. Their charge followed a freakish offload by Williams.

After 21 minutes Carter scored his try which came on the back of another big Crusaders scrum and Williams break.

Dagg scored his try following scrum move which worked to perfection and Guildford dotted down when using his extreme pace to bewilder the defence.

Jacques-Louis Potgieter had the last say for the Sharks when scoring a fine individual try straight from the kick off and then kicking a penalty.

Read went off at halftime due to a ‘stinger’ neck injury and the Sharks came back, scoring tries through Alistair Hargraves and Odwa Ndungane.

Maitland’s second try with 15 minutes left sealed if for the Crusaders, who would have felt a little nervous when the Sharks had got to within nine points.

It was truly a sensational match, with the only downside being the injuries to Carter (hamstring), Whitelock (ankle) and Read.

The forwards were immense, especially at scrum time, and on several occasions they simply walked over their bigger opposites in the set piece.

Blackadder said: “The first half was great from our point of view. The second half put us coaches through a few nervous moments but it was great to be here at Twickenham in perfect weather to be able to play an expansive game.”

Skipper Read said: “That game showed what Super Rugby is all about.”

Crusaders – Tries: Sean Maitland 2, Israel Dagg, Dan Carter, Zac Guildford. Cons: Carter 4, Matt Berquist. Pens: Carter 3.

Sharks – Tries: Willem Alberts, Alistair Hargraves, Odwa Ndungane, Jacques-Louis Potgieter. Con: Potgieter. Pens: Potgieter 2.