Crusaders capitalise on poor defence
DEFENCE wins games — missing near on 20 tackles in one half does not.
The Highlanders huffed and they puffed but the Crusaders were as ruthless as ever and won 3313 in Christchurch last night.
The game was won by the home team in the first half as it led 268 at the break, running in four tries as the Highlanders defence whiltered in a balmy Canterbury night.
The side missed more than 30 tackles in the game – far too many to be competitive.
Every time the Crusaders got within sight of the tryline in the opening half they came away with some points.
Every time the Highlanders sighted the tryline in the first 40 minutes, they gave away a penalty or home side defended well.
The Highlanders tried hard and there was some enterprise on attack but to come away from a win in the Crusaders backyard everything has to go for you and the Highlanders were way too soft on defence.
The visiting side had more ball in the second half and scored a nice try out wide by Jona Nareki, who continues to impress at this level and shaded All Black winger Sevu Reece.
Others to impress for the Highlanders were second fiveeighth Josh Ioane, flanker Shannon Frizell and lock Jesse Parete while fullback Michael Collins played well.
Frizell was yellow carded for an ugly ruck cleanout early in the second half which did not help the Highlanders.
The Highlanders did some good things on attack in the opening half but their defence was found wanting.
The side should have scored in the opening five minutes but halfback Aaron Smith knocked the ball on as he was diving for the line.
The Highlanders kicked a penalty for their efforts but a side needs to score more than that when a chance comes against the Crusaders.
The Highlanders did score a nice try in the opening half. Rob Thompson managed to grab a turnover and went down the blind. The ball was shifted to the other side and winger Nareki drew the defence expertly and fullback Michael Collins went over.
But the home side just had too much class. It took chances when they came along and was too good with the ball in hand.
Gaps were found and it won the battle while on the advantage finding plenty of space down its lefthand side.
The Highlanders missed too many tackles in the opening half — upwards of 20 — which is a coach killer if ever there was one.
And once the home team got a sniff it took it and ran in some very simple tries.
A nice ball from George Bridge had hooker Codie Taylor over and flanker Tom Chistie went over after a bad read on defence where two Highlanders went for the same man. Then centre Brayden Ennor brushed off a weak Josh Dickson tackle to score under the bar.
Bridge then spied a gap with the Crusaders pressing and easily went over.