Match Reports

The Crusaders made it four wins in a row and gave their semi-final hopes a big boost when beating the previously top-of-the-table Sharks in a thrilling match in Durban 13-10 early this morning (NZ time).

A converted try to returning captain Richie McCaw, penalty to Stephen Brett and drop goal by halfback Andy Ellis were enough to beat the Sharks, who lead 7-0 after 10 minutes.

Last week's bye didn't appear to adversely affect the Crusaders, who went into the game after wins over the Waratahs in Sydney and Stormers and Bulls at AMI Stadium.

In fact they seemed the hungrier team this morning, with the Sharks looking in need of a break - they have the bye next weekend after 10 straight weeks of Rebel Sport Super 14 rugby.

The Crusaders are in eighth place with 26 points, but the table is so congested that they are only three points off the top four, and two teams at the top - Sharks (second on 31 points) and Waratahs (sixth on 28 points) have a bye next weekend.

The Sharks had gone into the game following last week's shock loss to bottom-of-the-table Cheetahs in Bloemfoentein and many expected them to bounce back and edge out the defending champion Crusaders.

But McCaw, back in the team after five weeks out with a knee injury, showed his class and incredible fitness by turning out a man-of-the-match performance.

He went off early in the match with a cut to his forehead which bled throughout the first half until it was bandaged at halftime but he didn't let that bother him - his defence, support play and work in the breakdowns was outstanding as usual.

He said after the match: "That was very tough. It's never easy when you come to Durban. We had to work for it. The belief in ourselves for the full 80 minutes got us through another tight one."

The Crusaders began strongly but survived a close call when their scrum went backwards on their line and only quick work from McCaw's temporary replacement, Michael Paterson, prevented a try to Sharks No8 Ryan Kankowski.

Paterson dived on the ball but referee Mark Lawrence went to the TMO, who finally found in the Crusaders favour.

It was only a temporary reprieve as after 10 minutes lock Steven Sykes scored for the Sharks following a quick tap from a free-kick. The try was converted by Rory Kockett.

Brett narrowed the gap to 7-3 after Kockett was offside at a scrum in front of the posts. Crusaders first-five Brett had earlier missed a penalty from a handy angle after Sharks flanker Keegan Daniel was penalised for a high tackle on Tim Bateman.

With 12 minutes left in the half, McCaw scored his try - a classic loose forward effort. From an attacking lineout, Brett set up a ruck and the ball was moved to Kieran Read who freed his arms brilliantly and set up No8 Thomas Waldrom who showed real pace to get outside the last defender and put McCaw in.

The Crusaders went to the break 10-7 in front but were perhaps unlucky not to be ahead by more. Colin Slade was unfairly penalised for not releasing the ball when replays clearly showed he did only metres from the Sharks line.

Injured Crusaders second-five Ryan Crotty was replaced at halftime by Adam Whitelock, who went on to the left wing.

The Crusaders enjoyed a bit of luck when Kockett missed a penalty from a handy angle for the Sharks and then quick thinking from Ellis increased the Crusaders lead to 13-7 with a drop goal.

Slade was soon in the action again, showing blistering pace to turn and chase down flying Sharks wing Odwa Ngundane. It was a try-saving tackle from Slade, who is making a habit of turning up at the right time on defence.

Crusaders right wing Jared Payne was just pushed out in the corner when a try looked on and soon after just missed out again when he was tackled by Adrian Jacobs as he was receiving the ball with the line open.

For the next 15 minutes it was a case of the Crusaders hanging on to their lead for dear life.

A long-range drop goal attempt by Leon MacDonald was charged down by Kockett and the ball dropped by Ndungane with the Crusaders line open.

A Kockett penalty narrowed the gap to 13-10 but the Crusaders kept attacking and a good run by fullback MacDonald, backed up by Adam Whitelock, put the visitors on attack and led to a penalty which Brett missed.

In a frantic last few minutes the Crusaders kept their nerve and discipline and denied the fast-finishing Sharks. The clock was showing 82 minutes before Lawrence blew his whistle for fulltime and running through many Crusaders players minds would have been the last game at Absa Stadium which they lost after the hooter thanks to a length-of-the-field try.

McCaw showed the way for the Crusaders. The team also had stars in Ellis, who passed a late test on his ribs to play, and No8 Waldrom.

Wings Slade and Payne again attacked the high ball well and Slade's defence in particular proved crucial.

Fullback MacDonald was dangerous with the ball and straightened the attack well.

The Crusaders next face the Cheetahs in Bloemfoentein and round out their South African tour with a match against the Lions in Johannesburg the week after.

Sharks - Try: Sykes. Con: Kockett. Pen: Kockett.
Crusaders - Try: McCaw. Con: Brett. Pen: Brett. DG: Ellis.

HT: Crusaders 10-7.

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Jason Macdonald
3. Bronson Murray (17. Owen Franks 60)
4. Brad Thorn (18. Ross Filipo 57)
5. Isaac Ross (19. Michael Paterson 72)
6. Kieran Read
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Thomas Waldrom
9. Andy Ellis
10. Stephen Brett
11. Colin Slade
12. Ryan Crotty (21. Adam Whitelock halftime)
13. Tim Bateman
14. Jared Payne
15. Leon MacDonald

Reserves not used:
16. Dan Perrin
20. Kahn Fotuali'i
22. Kade Poki