Crusaders take chances to secure win
Like a shark that senses blood in the water, if the Crusaders get a sniff of the tryline, they strike.
It took just three set pieces from close range to shake the life out of the travel-weary Bulls in Christchurch last night.
Much like they did in their loss to the Chiefs a week earlier, the Bulls dominated possession and territory in the opening exchanges.
The visitors’ decision to turn down shots at goal from early penalties in favour of lineouts, while admirable, did them no good as they lost the opportunity to take the early lead twice. The hosts’ lack of discipline gave the Bulls a number of opportunities in the attacking half, but the visitors could not capitalise.
In contrast, the Crusaders needed just one opportunity to open the scoring through lock Scott Barrett, who slammed the ball over from close range following a lineout in the 15th minute.
Snatching the lead despite being under early pressure, the Crusaders then went a man down when Tim Perry was yellow carded in the 25th minute after his team conceded too many penalties.
The Bulls looked to attack from the ensuing penalty but a backline move quickly fizzled and Crusaders halfback Mitch Drummond put his side on the front foot with a lovely box kick deep into Bulls territory.
Bulls fullback Warrick Gelant was forced to take the ball out of play inside his own 10m line as a result, and Codie Taylor crashed over after the ensuing lineout.
At 14-0, things looked ominous for the Bulls. They finally made the most of their pressure when winger Travis Ismaiel beat five Crusaders to get the visitors on the board.
However, another Crusaders setpiece late in the first half saw the lead again extended to 14, with centre Jack Goodhue carrying two Bulls forwards over the line following a scrum.
With a 21-7 lead at halftime, the Crusaders were at short odds to end their two-game losing streak.
Those odds shortened further when Goodhue bagged his second of the night soon after the break.
The Bulls hit back late in the second half through reserve forward Marco van Staden but the Crusaders restored their bonus point when George Bridge scored a late try with a determined run on the right wing. Crusaders 33 ( Jack Goodhue 2, Scott Barrett, Codie Taylor, George Bridge tries; Mitch Hunt 4 cons)
Bulls 14 (Travis Ismaiel, Marco van Staden tries; Handre Pollard 2 cons). Halftime: 21-7.