’Saders set up Blues clash

● The Crusaders have set up a crunch topof-the-table clash with the Auckland Blues in Christchurch in Super Rugby Aotearoa next weekend.

Defending champions Crusaders yesterday kept their unbeaten record by beating the Highlanders 40-20 in Dunedin.

The bonus-point win elevates the Crusaders above the Blues, who are also unbeaten, on 14 log points, two clear of the Aucklanders who have also played three games.

The Crusaders and the Blues have separated themselves from the rest of the field with the Highlanders (5), Chiefs (2) and the Hurricanes (0) trailing.

The Crusaders again called on their efficiency, composure and explosiveness to dismantle their opposition. But they only fully asserted themselves in the last 20 minutes.

The match was in the balance at the three-quarter mark but then the defending champions wrested control. The 20-point margin perhaps flattered the victors. But they were deserved winners. Their set piece was superior and from the surfeit possession they forced the Highlanders to rack up a much higher tackle count. From that pressure the Highlanders were forced into errors and eventually their defence had to yield.

It helped that Richie Mo’unga pulled all the right strings at flyhalf and Jack Goodhue made judicious decisions in midfield.

Despite the pressure and losing lock Josh Dickson, the Highlanders played with pluck and held a 17-14 halftime lead.

At 21-20 at the three-quarter mark the game was up for grabs but Crusaders pressure created a half chance that replacement wing Sevu Reece grabbed with glee. He thwarted the defence by going airborne near the corner flag and dotting down.

The Crusaders had a small buffer but their champion qualities prevailed.

Flank Tom Christie made the game safe when he touched down, and wing Will Jordan’s try against the run of play served to rub salt into the Highlanders’ wounds.

In Australia the Brumbies quelled a rebellion from their Melbourne visitors to win their opening Super Rugby AU match 31-23.

Staring down the barrel the Melbourne Rebels bounced back, scoring 15 unanswered points in the second half to get within a point of the Brumbies. For hooker Jordan Uelese’s try, the Rebels mauled with great cohesion to inflict on the Brumbies the pain they usually do on opposing packs.

Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty’s converted try and Matt Toomua added a penalty that brought the Rebels to within a point but the Brumbies kept their composure, scoring the clincher with three minutes to go.

In the Super Rugby AU opener on Friday the Reds beat the Waratahs 32-26 in Brisbane.