Crusaders break down Lions to win

JOHANNESBURG: A try by captain Sam Whitelock proved the catalyst for the Crusaders to break through a stubborn Lions defence and claim a narrow 148 Super Rugby victory at Ellis Park yesterday.

The Crusaders were deserved winners in an entertaining game that belied the low scoreline, with three secondhalf minutes proving crucial for the visiting side as it came from behind to claim an away success.

The match was a repeat of last year’s Super Rugby final at the same venue that was won 2517 by the New Zealand team.

‘‘It’s always hard here. It has been every time I have come since 2010. It’s hard on the lungs, body and mind,’’ Whitelock said at the postmatch presentation. ‘‘We have to recover now and get on that plane for the next one against the Jaguares.’’

The Lions led 50 at halftime through a try to wing Madosh Tambwe on 14 minutes, but it was the Crusaders who dominated possession and territory.

The visiting team continued to apply pressure at the start of the second period and was eventually rewarded when captain Whitelock barged his way over from close range for a score that was converted from the touchline by Hunt.

Three minutes later the Crusaders scored their second as replacement wing Manasa Mataele broke through some limp tackles from the home side and offloaded to centre Jack Goodhue to cross over.

Jantjies kicked a penalty with three minutes remaining to reduce the deficit to six points, the home side’s first points for more than an hour, but it could not force a win in the remaining minutes.

‘‘We had a plan; unfortunately they wanted it more than us. We told the boys to empty the tank, but credit to them, it was a good game,’’ Lions captain Francois Mostert said.

A Dan Carter has unleashed a matchwinning cameo for Racing 92 to steer it into the semifinals of the European Champions Cup.

The All Black came off the bench to set up two tries as his Paris club pulled away from Clermont Auvergne in an all-French semifinal.

In his 21 minutes on the field, Carter set up tries for Marc Andreu and Boris Palu to send Racing 92 into a semifinal against Munster.

The 36yearold wants to make an impact in the elite tournament as his threeyear contract draws to a close.

He has committed to a Japanese club contract later this year.