Sharks torn to shreds by classy Crusaders
DEFENDING champions Canterbury Crusaders demolished the Shark in Christchurch.
Crusaders scored five tries and a fortress-like defence restricted the Sharks to only one try to extend their current winning streak to 13 and they have now not lost at home to an overseas side since the opening round of 2015.
The Crusaders will host the Wellington Hurricanes next weekend in the semifinals.
In the clash of the top and bottom qualifiers in the top eight, the Sharks felt they still had a chance when they trailed by only 13 points with 25 minutes to play before the Crusaders ran in two late tries from long range.
“We always knew they would be big, strong and they carried very, very direct. I was just happy the boys stepped up, stayed nice and composed when it was quite tight in the middle,” Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said.
Crusaders were gifted their first 13 points. Richie Mo’unga landed a penalty from a scrum penalty before Bryn Hall scored from a lineout after a poor Shark’s clearance kick went out on the full, and David Havili’s try came from a lineout steal.
Sharks scored their only try of the match after a Kieran Read pass was intercepted and Kobus van Wyk was put clear.
But the Crusaders scored just before the break when George Bridge stepped his way through the Sharks pack and offloaded to Matt Todd for the try.
A Robert du Preez penalty closed the gap to 23-10 before the Crusaders launched into their finishing flourish with a penalty to Mo’unga who then converted tries by Braydon Ennor and Pete Samu.