Crusaders Waratahs
opening try from close range, while burly lock Will Skelton was disrupting the Crusader mauls, but their defence was porous and that cost them dearly.
Bateman was good value at centre, scoring two tries and providing direction to the Crusaders midfield after Ryan Crotty limped off.
When massive Waratahs wing Taqele Naiyaravoro used Bridge as a hood ornament on the way to a try, there was hope for the home side at 22-26. But those hopes were snuffed out in sterling fashion via Bryn Hall, who finished a fine team try, and by Funnell’s late flourish.
There was time for prop Wyatt Crockett to enter the second half fray and equal Keven Mealamu as the most capped Super Rugby player of all time with 175.
“Everyone is buying into the whole team vibe,” says Whitelock.
Rest, recovery and family and friends time is on the cards for the next few days due to the bye.
Despite no Kieran Read, Israel Dagg and Seta Tamanivalu, some of the more unsung Crusaders have stepped up nicely — Whetu Douglas, Mitch Hunt and Hall, the latter displaying far more than he showed with the Blues. Few would have picked a backline lacking in some X-factor would have complemented a solid forward pack so effectively in the opening six rounds.
The Crusaders can now enjoy the bye before their next match, on April 14, against the hapless Sunwolves in Christchurch. They will surely go 7-0 after that one. There is little rest for the Waratahs, who must try and contain the Hurricanes in Wellington on Friday night.