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Crusaders surge sinks Highlanders

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Braydon Ennor scores

The Crusaders overturned a 10-point deficit to claim a 43-17 bonus-point win over the Highlanders in Christchurch on Friday. CRAIG LEWIS reports.

On and on the Crusaders go. Despite a slow start to this match, which saw them fall 10-0 behind early on, they then scored 36 unanswered points to flex their considerable muscles once again this season.

It is the defending champion’s seventh win of this campaign, and demonstrated just how lethal they can be once they get their power game going. For the Highlanders, it’s a fifth loss of the season, and another hammer blow to their ever-dwindling playoff hopes.

Despite coming into this clash as rank underdogs, the Highlanders did make the ideal start when Ben Smith displayed all his class to score a superb early try, while Josh Ioane knocked over the conversion and a penalty soon after to open up a handy 10-0 lead.

Uncharacteristically, the Crusaders’ scrappy start to proceedings was epitomised by the fact that they conceded seven turnovers and missed eight tackles within the opening quarter. However, when the hosts did manage to string some phases together, they were able to strike back with a try to Braydon Ennor.

Although the Highlanders still hung onto a three-point advantage at the break, there was a sense that the Saders were beginning to shift through the gears, and duly moved into the lead when David Havili scored soon after the restart.

It signalled a momentum shift as the Crusaders were next awarded a penalty try from a powerful scrum, while Sevu Reece scored soon after to suddenly send the hosts into a 29-10 lead at the hour mark.

Mitchell Drummond and Will Jordan would also added to the Saders’ try-tally before full-time as the hosts took complete control of proceedings in the blink of an eye, ultimately coming away with a comfortable bonus-point win.

Crusaders – Tries: Braydon Ennor, David Havili, penalty try, Sevu Reece, Mitchell Drummond, Will Jordan.. Conversions: Richie Mo’unga (3), Hunt. Penalty: Mo’unga.
Highlanders – Tries: Ben Smith, Josh Ioane. Conversions: Josh Ioane, Bryn Gatland. Penalty: Ioane.

Crusaders – 15 David Havili, 14 Braydon Ennor, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 5 Sam Whitelock (c), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Andrew Makaio, 1 Joe Moody.
Subs: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Harry Allan, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Jordan Taufua, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Will Jordan.

Highlanders – 15 Ben Smith (c), 14 Matt Faddes, 13 Rob Thompson, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Josh Ioane, 9 Kayne Hammington, 8 Elliot Dixon, 7 James Lentjes, 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tom Franklin, 4 Pari Pari Parkinson, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Liam Coltman, 1 Daniel Lienert-Brown.
Subs: 16 Ash Dixon, 17 Ayden Johnstone, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Josh Dickson, 20 Jackson Hemopo, 21 Folau Fakatava, 22 Bryn Gatland, 23 Sio Tomkinson.

Photo: Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images