Biggest comeback in SR history
WELLINGTON,: The Canterbury Crusaders pulled off the biggest comeback in Super Rugby (SR) history to reel in a 29-0 deficit and overhaul the New South Wales Waratahs 31-29 in Christchurch yesterday as a slew of disputed calls rubbed salt into the visitors’ wounds.
The Waratahs stunned the Crusaders with four tries in the opening half hour but the home side roared back to extend New Zealand’s winning streak over Australian teams to 39 consecutive matches.
The Crusaders snatched the lead with a penalty try 12 minutes from the siren, their forwards having repeatedly routed their opponents’ scrum.
Yet the Waratahs still had a chance to claim what would have been by far the biggest upset of the season when flyhalf Bernard Foley lined up a penalty from 40 metres out, directly in front, in the 76th minute. His kick sailed well wide and the Crusaders held on in a frenetic finish to leave the Waratahs heartbroken.
“I don’t know where we were in that first 25 (minutes) but full credit to the boys, we were nice and calm out there the whole time even though we were down whatever points,” Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said. “Coming from behind, getting one like that, was so special.”
The Crusaders’ ninth win of the season snatched back top spot in the New Zealand conference after the Wellington Hurricanes briefly dislodged them by beating the Auckland Blues yesterday.
So close to a huge upset
The Waratahs, who lead the Australian conference, will leave Christchurch kicking themselves, having been handed two yellow cards either side of half-time. They were so close to a huge upset.
There was a carnival atmosphere at a sun-drenched Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium in Tokyo yesterday as the Sunwolves fans celebrated a huge upset and a long-awaited first victory – 63-28 over the Queensland Reds – in this season’s competition.
In another game yesterday, the Rebels upset the Brumbies, who face the Lions in Joburg next week, 27-24.
In Cape Town, the Stormers finally surrendered their 2018 unbeaten home record as they suffered a 15-9 loss to the Chiefs at Newlands.
The Chiefs led 6-5 at the break after they scored the only first-half try. In the second half, they were awarded a penalty try. This put the match beyond the hosts in a contest seldom rising to great heights.
All in all, it was a poor advertisement for rugby. The Chiefs made all the running at the start and were awarded three penalties for the home side’s breakdown infringements in the opening six minutes.
In another disappointing fixture, the Lions crashed to a third straight defeat on their Tour of Australasia, going down in fairly limp fashion 39-27 to the Highlanders in Dunedin yesterday.
It followed earlier defeats by the Reds and Hurricanes, with their only win coming in game one of the fourmatch tour, against the Waratahs in Sydney.
Swys de Bruin’s men, though, remain on top of the SA Conference. – African News Network, Reuters & Jacques van der Westhuyzen