Crusaders on brink of home semi
THE Crusaders made an emphatic claim for a home semifinal in Super Rugby competition with a bonus-point 34-8 victory over the Highlanders in their final pool yesterday.
With the table-topping Waratahs already assured of one semifinal, it will take a Herculean effort by the Sharks to deny the Crusaders the second berth.
The Crusaders, seven-time Super champions, led the Highlanders 17-3 at halftime, scoring their first try ahead of the break, before adding three more for their bonus point in the second half. The Highlanders struggled to find their way with their talismanic captain Ben Smith sidelined by a leg infection.
They were punished for repeated indiscretions from which Dan Carter landed four penalties to give the Crusaders a handy lead in the first half be- fore they began exchanging penalties for tries.
Matt Todd scored the first two and Corey Flynn the fourth when the Crusaders turned down handy shots at goal and kicked for the corner.
The third try came when scrumhalf Andy Ellis tapped and ran when the Crusaders had a close-range penalty and resulted in Nemani Nadolo scoring wide out.
After beating the Blues two weeks ago, Crusaders centre Ryan Crotty said they were building nicely for the final.
“We’ve had a couple of good wins over the Blues and the Highlanders and it gives us momentum going into the finals.”
Though the Highlanders have qualified for the play-offs for the first time in 12 years, the Crusaders have reached the knockout stage for the 13th consecutive year.
In Canberra, Matt Toomua scored a hat-trick of tries as the Brumbies powered into the playoffs with a barnstorming 47-25 win over the Force on Friday.
It was a winner-takes-all Australian derby with both teams level on 40 points and needing to win to take their place in next week’s top-six play-offs.
Wallaby back Toomua was the hero of the Brumbies’ bonuspoint win, scoring three of his team’s seven tries.
Other tries went to Jesse Mogg, Joe Tomane, Tom McVerry and impressive winger Henry Speight. Christian Lealiifano kicked three conversions and two penalties.
It was the first time the Brumbies have won in the last round of Super Rugby since 2007. It was the Brumbies’ biggest win of the season and puts them in great heart for next week’s play-off. — AFP