Crusaders canter over the Chiefs

THE CRUSADERS were awarded a controversial penalty try by referee Ben O’Keeffe with less than 10 minutes remaining that gave them breathing space to record a 45-23 victory over the Chiefs in Christchurch.

O’Keeffe decided that Ryan Crotty would have scored a try in the corner but for a head-high tackle by the Chiefs’ replacement loose forward Lachlan Boshier, who was subsequently sin-binned.

Boshier was the third player handed a 10-minute penalty by O’Keeffe during the intense encounter with Crusaders’ flyhalf Richie Mo’unga and prop Alan Ala’alatoa both spending time on the sidelines during the first half.

All Black Flyhalf contender Damian McKenzie’s pace, instinctive play and attacking from closer to the line created issues for the Crusaders defence.

Mo’unga looked the more composed under pressure.

Mo’unga, however, also received the Crusaders’ first yellow card after he made a try-saving tackle but was then adjudged by O’Keeffe to have committed a professional foul by playing the ball while on the ground.

The Crusaders, however, did not concede while he was sidelined and actually extended their lead to 19-3 when Jordan Taufua scored his side’s third try after Matt Todd and Mo’unga had both crossed earlier.

Chiefs captain Sam Cane then gave his side the spark they needed when he was put into the open from 30-metres out and crashed over in the tackle of George Bridge.

O’Keeffe then dispatched Ala’alatoa to the sidelines – for a head-high tackle on McKenzie – which allowed the visitors to exploit the extra man and put winger Solomon Alaimalo across. — Reuters