Whitelock makes sure for Crusaders
THE Crusaders outlasted the Blues 3428 in an electric rematch of last year’s final as the two powerhouse sides produced an early contender for game of the season.
Nine tries perfectly encapsulated the beauty of flowing Southern Hemisphere rugby and, as great entertainment should, it left the Eden Park crowd wanting more.
Some Mark Telea magic began proceedings as the All Black winger scored a stunning solo try, expertly escaping two tackles before skinning Richie Mo’unga to cross for the opener.
But from there, the Crusaders machine began to shift into gear. Two tries in five minutes through Fergus Burke and Ethan Blackadder wrestled away the momentum from the hosts.
The Blues hit back in typical fashion with two quickfire scores from All Black duo Caleb Clarke and Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.
However, a stunning double from Leicester Fainga’anuku gave Scott Robertson’s side the halftime lead.
The powerhouse winger then completed his hat-trick after the break off the back of an outrageous Mo’unga crossfield kick to stretch the Crusaders lead to ten.
But a Stephen Perofeta try ten minutes later set up a tantalising final 20 minutes.
However, Sam Whitelock produced the match-winning moment with two minutes to go with a vintage turnover as the Blues threatened to snatch a late win to get the Crusaders’ season back on track.
“I think in the first half we might have had the better of that half and then the Blues threw everything at us and we were lucky to get away with it really,” said Scott Barrett.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs produced yet another near-flawless outing in their 44-25 win over the Rebels to maintain their perfect start to the season.
It was a slow start for Clayton McMillan’s side as the Rebels jumped out to an eight-point early on.
But 27 unanswered points with tries from Rameka Poihipi, Emoni Narawa and the red-hot Shaun Stevenson gave the Chiefs an unassailable lead at half-time.
Stevenson added a second after the break alongside Tyrone Thompson and Etene Nanai-Seturo’s tries to give the Chiefs their fourth bonus-point win.
The Rebels have just one win so far and to add to their woes, Reece Hodge suffered a finger injury set to sideline him for several weeks.
A debut double for Kini Naholo steered the Hurricanes to their third win of the season as they overturned a slow start to beat the Waratahs 34-17.
Former Leicester Tiger winger Nemani Nadolo opened his try-scoring account for the Tahs, crossing for his first Super Rugby try in seven years early on to capitalise on a sloppy Canes start.
But from there, Nadolo and scrum-half Cam Roigard both crossed for doubles alongside Dane Coles’ try to move the Canes into third.
The Brumbies continued their perfect start to the season in their 62-36 demolition of Moana Pasifika.
It was an early ambush from the Pacific Islanders, jumping out to a 14-3 lead inside ten minutes.
But the hosts hit back emphatically, scoring four tries to take a 29-22 lead into the break.
A nervy period from the hosts saw Moana Pasifika add two tries and lead by two with 20 minutes to go.
But a flurry of scores to finish saw Stephen Larkham’s side maintain their impressive start to the season.
The action continues today as the winless Highlanders look to overturn their torrid start to the season when they host the Western Force.
Having shipped 140 points in three games, the Landers sit bottom of the ladder as the only side yet to record a tournament point.
The Force on the other hand have two wins and bounced back from their 71-20 loss to the Reds in their late win over Moana Pasifika last week.
Despite the Reds piling on the points on against the Force, they sit near the bottom and will be desperate to get to winning ways after last week’s narrow loss against the Brumbies.
They face the Fijian Drua who come in off the back of a historic win against the Crusaders and hope to piggyback off their momentum as they look for their third win of the season.