Match Reports

The BNZ Crusaders underlined the current gulf between New Zealand sides and the rest of the competition with a convincing 29-10 win over the Australian conference leaders in Christchurch.

In sodden conditions at AMI Stadium, the BNZ Crusaders dominated the early stages to leap to a 15-0 lead through tries to Johnny McNicholl and Israel Dagg. It was a repeat of last week’s power-packed start against the Highlanders, although this time the Crusaders managed to finish off their scoring opportunities.

With points on the board, Todd Blackadder’s side reverted to a territory game and began to peg the ball deep into Waratah’s territory. The tactic back-fired when danger man Israel Folau stunned the Crusaders by coasting through a gap and putting Rob Horne over in the corner.

With the score at 15-5, the Waratahs handling let them down in the slippery conditions and the Crusaders swung onto attack. In a fortuitous moment, the ball was bunted from Andy Ellis’ hands and straight to Richie Mo’unga who sped to the line to make it 22-5 at halftime.

The game struggled for shape in the third quarter as handling errors began to creep in and both teams reverted to a kick-first game plan. In the 60th minute, Johnny McNicholl sparked the game into life by running the ball out from the in goal and almost going 100 metres for a remarkable try. With the Crusaders pressing on attack, powerhouse blindside flanker Jordan Taufua crashed over from close range to put the result beyond doubt.

Five minutes later, former Crusaders Zac Guilford came onto the field for the Waratahs and made an immediate impact. In a well-worked move from the top of the line out, Guilford sped to the line to deny the Crusaders a bonus point in what turned out to be the final scoring play of the game.

It was a fine display from the BNZ Crusaders in the wet. They were more clinical than last week in taking their scoring opportunities and managed to shut down most of the Waratahs attacking movements.

The win takes the BNZ Crusaders clear top of the New Zealand conference on 41 points, four ahead of the Chiefs and Highlanders.

SCORERS: Crusaders 29 (Johnny McNicholl, Israel Dagg, Jordan Taufua, Richie Mo’unga tries, Moung’a pen, 3 con) Waratahs 10 (Israel Folau, Zac Guilford tries) HT: 22-5

Report courtesy of www.superrugby.co.nz