Match Reports

The Crusaders put in a performance high on intensity and energy to claim the required five competition points when beating the Reds 32-12 at AMI Stadium on Friday night and stay on track for a semi-final spot.

The defending champions shrugged off the rain and the fact they had only four days to prepare for the match following their return to Christchurch from South Africa and put an injury-plagued Reds to the sword.

Their star second-five Berrick Barnes and centre Digby Ioane, among others, were unavailable through injury and were missed by the Reds.

First-half tries to Thomas Waldrom, Owen Franks and Tim Bateman set the scene for the Crusaders, who denied the Reds possession and territory.

Jason Macdonald and Sean Maitland scored tries for the Crusaders in the second half, who would have been disappointed to let in two Reds tries late in the match through Ben Tapuai and Greg Holmes.

Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder said: "We did exactly what we needed to do and that was to secure a bonus-point victory. We created a lot of opportunities to score and that was pleasing. The boys backed up really well from their South Africa trip and I'm proud of them."

It was a fitting farewell to veteran fullback Leon MacDonald, who will leave to take up a contract to play for Japanese club Kintetsu after the Rebel Sport Super 14 season.

Friday night's match could be his final one at AMI Stadium and he was given a deserved standing ovation from the 13,000 crowd when he was substituted in the second half.

"Leon has been an outstanding player for the Crusaders for many years," said Blackadder. "His commitment and dedication to the cause is second to none and we hope to see him back here for the Crusaders again."

Once this match was over, all eyes turned to the other fixtures of the round. Before this weekend eight teams had a chance of making the top four, with the final two rounds so important to their aspirations.

The Brumbies beat the Blues convincingly at Canberra last night to knock the Auckland side out of contention and the Waratahs did the Crusaders a big favour in beating the Sharks in Durban overnight.

The defeat drops the Sharks to sixth and keeps the Crusaders in fourth.

On Friday night the Crusaders were ahead after only three minutes, a Stephen Brett penalty handing them the lead.

Kieran Read went close to scoring but was pushed out in the corner after good forward rumbles by Richie McCaw and hooker Macdonald.

The Reds' scrambling defence only delayed the inevitable, however, with Waldrom crashing over from a ruck close to the line and and accurate MacDonald kicking the conversion to push the Crusaders to a 10-0 lead.

Right wing Jared Payne caught a Brett pass-kick put was pushed out and Read was held up over the line.

An early tackle by Wyatt Crockett on Reds lock Van Humpries gave Brendan McKibben an opportunity but he missed the penalty attempt.

The Crusaders swept back on attack with an inside pass from Brett well held by Waldrom and lock Isaac Ross linked well only for the move to die when Andy Ellis dropped the ball.

Prop Franks soon put things right with a try in the left corner after a fine cut-out pass by Ross and it was 15-0 to the Crusaders.

Reds first-five Quade Cooper was yellow carded by referee Chris Pollock when his intervention at a ruck from an offside position stopped Ryan Crotty from scoring.

Ellis again fluffed the opportunity from the attacking scrum but the Crusaders were well on top.

Tim Bateman scored the Crusaders third late in the half following a fine run by Crotty down the left touchline.

Adam Whitelock had a chance just before halftime but couldn't hold the ball when the Reds defence was stretched again.

Still, a halftime score of 20-0 meant the game was out of the Reds reach.
Hooker Macdonald scored the bonus point try for the Crusaders seven minutes after re-start and wing Maitland, on for his first game of the season, scored the Crusaders' fifth to push the score out to 32-0.

Tapuai and Holmes scored consolation tries for the Reds as the game lost its shape due to injuries and substitutions. There were 'golden oldies' scrums for the last 10 minutes or so due to injuries in the Reds front row and at one stage replacement hooker Dan Perrin and prop Bronson Murray were locking partners for the Crusaders.

Crusaders lock Brad Thorn left the field in the first half due to a tight hamstring and Waldrom took a knock to the head at the start of the second half.

Lock Ross was replaced due to a bruised thigh and Andy Ellis went off with a bruised hand.

Crusaders - Tries: Thomas Waldrom, Owen Franks, Tim Bateman, Jason Macdonald, Sean Maitland. Cons: Leon MacDonald 2. Pen: MacDonald.

Reds - Tries: Ben Tapuai, Greg Holmes. Con: Quade Cooper.

HT: Crusaders 20-0

Crusaders:

1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn (18. Michael Paterson 29th minute)
5. Isaac Ross (19. Jonathan Poff halftime)
6. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom (16. Dan Perrin 70th)
9. Andy Ellis (20. Kahn Fotuali'i 70th)
10. Stephen Brett
11. Adam Whitelock
12. Ryan Crotty (17. Bronson Murray 75th)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Jared Payne (21. Sean Maitland 65th)
15. Leon MacDonald (22. Hamish Gard 69th)