Match Reports

The BNZ Crusaders ran in eight tries to defeat the Southern Kings by 57-24 at AMI Stadium on Saturday night. The side head to South Africa having secured a bonus point victory over the visitors in what was a dominant team performance in front of their home crowd.

The Kings went out to an early lead, the result of an offside penalty and brilliant intercept try to right winger Luzuko Vulindlu. The conversion by first-five Louis Fouche had the visitors up 10-0 but the home side hit back quickly, with a succession of tries to Nemani Nadolo (2) Johnny McNicholl and Ben Funnell coming off the back of some strong midfield carries and accurate link passes. Four first half tries, three of which were converted by Richie Mo’unga, and the application of solid defensive pressure which forced a penalty at the breakdown, saw the BNZ Crusaders out to a 29-10 advantage after 40 minutes of play.

Mo’unga had a consistent night with the boot, slotting four of his five conversion attempts. The young first five also threatened with ball in hand, setting up Nadolo for his second try and scoring one of his own shortly after half time. The forward pack continued to feed the backline quality ball from their set-piece, a line-out on half way setting the BNZ Crusaders up for their sixth try, as the ball was shifted quickly through the hands for McNicholl to slice through a gap in the defence, offloading for Mitchell Drummond to cross the chalk.

The Kings hit back when hooker Edgard Marutlulle broke through the tackle of captain Sam Whitelock to score their second try of the match, and several infringements by the home side put the Kings back in prime scoring position as the 60 minute mark approached. The visitors showed patience building phases, only to be undone by some solid red-and-black defence, which saw Jone Macilai race away to dot down at the opposite end of the field.  Coach Todd Blackadder cleared the bench during the second half, with tries to substitute Macilai and a debut Super Rugby try to loose forward Pete Samu in the closing minutes of the game. Ben Volavola assumed the kicking duties when Mo’unga was replaced shortly after half time, and was successful with all three of his conversion attempts in the second stanza. The Kings managed a third try to flanker Chris Cloete, converted once again by Fouche, but it was the BNZ Crusaders who recorded their second win from two home matches this season.

Powerful wing Nadolo once again made his presence felt throughout the match, his bustling runs and superb support play seeing him named the Gary Cockram Hyundai Man of the Match.

The BNZ Crusaders’ next match will be Sunday 27^th March (NZ time) against the Sharks in Durban.

Scorers: Crusaders 57 (Nemani Nadolo 2, Johnny McNicholl, Ben Funnell, Richard Mo'unga, Mitchell Drummond, Jone Macilai, Pete Samu tries; Mo'unga 4 con, pen; Ben Volavola 3 con) Kings 24 (Luzuko Vulindlu, Edgard Maruttule, Chris Cloete tries; Louis Fouche 3 con, pen). HT: 29-10

By Chantelle Te Haara