Crusaders barely miss beat in heat
When it seems just about everyone else in the game appears to be losing their heads, the Crusaders under Scott Robertson can be relied on to do what they do best.
The crux of it is they beat the Reds 22-12 at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday and ensured the ripples caused by the Chiefs’ loss to the Sunwolves in Hamilton were confined to this side of the Tasman.
The victory was their 18th in a row and their eighth straight on the road. Both records. And yet, Robertson won’t be entirely happy, despite the humid conditions and physical nature of the match sapping strength from both teams and leading to uncharacteristic mistakes.
They again let slip a bonus point in the final moments. Will it be costly in the scheme of things? Possibly. Last week they coughed up a valuable point to the Hurricanes after being entirely dominant throughout, this time they weren’t as dominant but should have banked five competition points all the same.
Another factor was the bizarre scene of the visitors playing the final six minutes with only 14 players because they had used up all their reserves. Mitch Hunt replaced Richie Mo’unga at first five but suffered a head knock which should have allowed Mo’unga to come back on. However, officials, who later apologised for their error, decided otherwise and off Mo’unga went again.
They were slightly off their game but not too far off and going by the form book they should provide the Chiefs with a lot of problems in Christchurch next weekend.
The Crusaders went 10-0 up in the first 10 minutes, with Jack Goodhue laying on a try for Braydon Ennor with a cross-kick and, straight from the re-start, Will Jordan and Ennor combining for Jordan to score his first try for the franchise.
And while they stretched the Reds’ defence, the Crusaders couldn’t get across the line again until they went back to basics to reap tries for Whetu Douglas and Jordan Taufua.
Samu Kerevi’s converted try was a good reward for the Reds’ stubbornness, and flanker Scott Higginbotham pounced on the blindside to narrow the gap and deny the Crusaders another point. Crusaders 22 (Braydon Ennor, Will Jordan, Whetu Douglas, Jordan Taufua tries; Richie Mo’unga con). Reds 12 (Samu Kerevi, Scott Higginbotham tries; Bryce Hegarty con). Halftime: 10-7.