Match Reports

Leon MacDonald’s coolly-taken penalty after the final hooter gave the Crusaders a valuable bonus point in an otherwise disappointing 20-13 defeat to the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein this morning (NZ time).

MacDonald hasn’t taken a kick at goal all season but he held his nerve to get his team to within seven points of the Cheetahs, who scored two tries to the Crusaders’ one and deserved their victory.

The Crusaders lie eighth on the points table with 27 points, seven points off leaders the Hurricanes.

The Cheetahs, well led by Springbok flanker Juan Smith, defended well and though the Crusaders were up 7-0 after only 10 minutes thanks to a converted Kahn Fotuali’i try, the visitors couldn’t push home their advantage.

Halfback Fotuali’i scored from a ruck close to the Cheetahs line and he went close a couple of minutes later from an attacking scrum only to lose the ball.

The Cheetahs were on the scoreboard after 27 minutes when Naas Olivier kicked a penalty after Stephen Brett was deemed to be offside.

The Cheetahs almost scored through wing Jongi Nokwe a few minutes later but a piece of Kade Poki magic kept him out. Poki, playing his first game for the Crusaders since spraining an ankle against the Hurricanes on February 27, sprinted from his opposite wing and tackled Nokwe just in time.

However, Nokwe wasn’t to be denied as two minutes later he finished off a fine Cheetahs move to score. The Crusaders defence was stretched and Nokwe combined well with centre Corne Uys to touch down for a converted try.

Wyatt Crockett, initially named in the starting line-up but who began the match on the reserves bench, took his place at loosehead prop after halftime, replacing Bronson Murray.

Further reinforcements – Andy Ellis, Leon MacDonald, Isaac Ross, Kieran Read and Adam Whitelock - arrived in the second half in an attempt to spark something but the Crusaders couldn’t breach the Cheetahs defence.

First-five Brett levelled the score at 10-10 early in the second half but Olivier replied with a penalty of his own after lock Ross and centre Tim Bateman were judged to have effected a dangerous tackle on fullback Hennie Daniller.

Jared Payne went on a good break but passed to a Cheetahs player. Other errors were similarly costly.

In the 71st minute Brett missed with a penalty from about 40m which would have levelled the score again and four minutes later the Cheetahs put the game beyond doubt when scoring a converted try.

The Cheetahs stretched the Crusaders defence again and a flick pass from first-five Olivier put Daniller in space and the fullback ran behind the posts for the try.

The Crusaders went straight back and tried to get something from the game and their persistence paid off when MacDonald kicked his penalty after the hooter. It was from a difficult angle on the right and MacDonald might find himself with the kicking duties from now on.

Captain Richie McCaw said afterwards: “We didn’t take a few opportunities at the start and couldn’t maintain the pressure. If you’re not on your game in this competition you’re going to come second.”

The Crusaders best players were second-five Ryan Crotty, who was incisive when running with the ball and whose break led to Fotuali’i’s try, and veteran fullback MacDonald.

Crotty was playing after bursting an eardrum against the Sharks in Durban last weekend and looked comfortable in the number 12 jersey.

The Crusaders enjoyed 63 per cent of the possession but couldn’t capitalise and head coach Todd Blackadder will be demanding a more ruthless approach for the match against the Lions in Johannesburg at 1am on Saturday (NZ time).

Cheetahs – Tries: Jongi Nokwe, Hennie Daniller. Cons: Naas Olivier (2). Pens: Olivier (2).

Crusaders – Try: Kahn Fotuali’i. Con: Stephen Brett. Pens: Brett, Leon MacDonald.  

Halftime: Cheetahs 10-7.

Crusaders:
1. Bronson Murray (17. Wyatt Crockett HT)
2. Jason Macdonald (16. Dan Perrin 76th minute)
3. Owen Franks
4. Ross Filipo (19. Kieran Read 58th)
5. Brad Thorn (18. Isaac Ross 53rd)
6. Michael Paterson
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Kahn Fotuali’i (20. Andy Ellis 50th)
10. Stephen Brett
11. Colin Slade (22. Leon MacDonald 50th)
12. Ryan Crotty
13. Tim Bateman (21. Adam Whitelock 62nd)
14. Kade Poki
15. Jared Payne