The Crusaders produced a first-half masterclass as they clinched an emphatic 38-22 win over the Hurricanes in Christchurch on Saturday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.
Before kick-off, most would have expected this to be a highly competitive encounter. Instead, the Crusaders scored 24 unanswered points in the first half to utterly annihilate the directionless Hurricanes.
It was a brutal 40-minute display from the defending champions, and served as a most emphatic statement that they will once again be a front-running force to be reckoned with this season. Although the second half was a more closely contested affair, the Hurricanes were already dead and buried at half-time.
Yet, it shouldn’t go unnoticed that the Canes did manage to score three tries to two in that second stanza, and ultimately deny the Crusaders a bonus point.
The visitors made an error-riddled start to this match as they conceded an array of turnovers – a recipe for disaster against the Crusaders – and the hosts would duly open the scoring when All Blacks lock Scott Barrett powered over the tryline early on.
Crusaders winger Manasa Mataele then worked a wonder try as he somehow managed to avoid the right touchline, before sending a miraculous pass to Richie Mo’unga, who darted away to finish off another five-pointer. From the next kick-off, the Saders went 80m to score through Jordan Taufua. Suddenly, the Crusaders led 17-0.
Just before the break, Mo’unga danced his way over for another try, and that was essentially game, set and match at the halfway point.
