Crusaders top Canes; Waratahs stun Chiefs
- NZ Sports Wire
- 7 days ago
- 3 min read
The Crusaders have survived a wild last quarter to hold on for a 31-24 Super Rugby Pacific win over the Hurricanes in Wellington.
Rob Penney’s side were reduced to 13 men late after Ethan Blackadder and Antonio Shalfoon went to the sin-bin but held on at Sky Stadium to jump the Chiefs for the top spot in the competition.
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It allowed the hosts to launch a comeback, reducing the margin to seven before having several chances at the Crusaders’ line. Each time, the visitors came up with the deciding blow, including the rolling maul turnover after the siren for the win.
It came after the Crusaders held a 31-10 lead, following a double from hooker Ioane Moananu.
The Hurricanes opened the scoring after a smart run from centre Peter Umaga-Jensen close to the line. This woke the Crusaders into action as All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams sparked the visitors into action.
The Crusaders raced out to a lead, with Williams scoring first from a rolling maul before Moananu backed up a Scott Barrett break for his first.
Former Wallabies first-five James O’Connor was a sudden inclusion after Tahs Kemara’s HIA and made an instant impact. O’Connor pounced on an overthrown lineout and spun past two defenders, sprinting away to give the Crusaders a 19-10 lead.
This was quickly extended when wing Chay Fihaki continued his hot streak with a lovely finish in the corner, giving Barrett yet another try assist.
Moananu’s second had the Crusaders in what seemed like a prime position for victory before the collapse.
Peter Lakai reduced the margin before the pair of yellow cards within three minutes opened the game wide open. Umaga-Jensen took a chance to expose the space as the centre crossed for a double.
The Hurricanes marched back into the 22 and had a chance to claim the win, before the visitors got over the ball for the steal. A late breakdown penalty offers one last chance to strike, only for the visitors to hold strong.
The victory put the Crusaders top of the ladder, meanwhile, the Hurricanes missed a golden chance to jump into the top-six.
Crusaders 31 (Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu 2, James O’Connor, Chay Fihaki tries; Taha Kemara 2 con, James O’Connor con) Hurricanes 24 (Peter Umaga-Jensen 2, Peter Lakai tries; Riley Hohepa con, pen, Callum Harkin 2 con). HT: 24-10
Later in the night, the Chiefs missed a chance to go back to the top of the SRP standings, falling 21-14 to the NSW Waratahs at Sydney's Allianz Stadium.
The Waratahs ended an almost nine-year losing streak to the Chiefs to move up to fourth, after dominating the first half, crossing the try-line twice but having two disallowed after TMO reviews.
The first try of the match looked to be scored by Teddy Wilson but was rescinded after a knock-on was found. Later, Lalakai Foketi appeared to score but it was judged his foot hit the ground simultaneously to the ball.
Standout fullback Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii had 11 carries for 102m overall, assisted in multiple tries and scored the first try.
Flanker Jamie Adamson, making his first start for the Waratahs, made 27 tackles, and was a valuable member for the Waratahs defence, aiding their win with a late turnover.
The Waratahs capitalised on the yellow card for Chiefs centre Gideon Wrampling, running the full length of the pitch to score a try that will be a contender for try of the year.
After a Chiefs knock-on at the goal-line, Andrew Kellaway ran it out from his own in-goal, before the ball went through the hands of Suaalii and Kellaway, who passed it over Cortez Ratima’s head to Wilson.
In the second half, Samipeni Finau was able to score off a penalty, after making a gradual push to their try-line to bring their score up.
Chiefs star playmaker Damian McKenzie was well off his best, making seven fumbles in a tough night.
The game ended after 28 phases from the Chiefs, ending in a ‘no–try’ decision after a double knock-on.
The win came despite the final penalty count being 18-5 against the Waratahs as Miles Amatosero copped a yellow card in the final 10 minutes after six penalties in a row.
NSW Waratahs 21 (Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Triston Reilly, Teddy Wilson tries; Lawson Creighton 3 con) Chiefs 14 (Leroy Carter, Samipeni Finau tries; Damian McKenzie 2 con). HT: 14-7