Crusaders far too good for the Bulls
By NZPA, 10 Apr 2011
- Tagged:
- Bulls, Crusaders, Dan Carter, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Super Rugby 2011
The Crusaders extended their lead at the top of the New Zealand conference with a shutout 27-0 Super Rugby win over the Bulls in Timaru on Saturday night.
The South Africans, who also started the game with four wins from six games, were taken apart and rarely threatened the superb Crusaders defence.
Their best chance came in the closing two minutes of play and even then the Crusaders defended ferociously to force the turnover and deny the visitors any points.
Right from the start, the Crusaders’ ball retention was impressive and with the visitors starved of possession and territory, they grew increasingly frustrated.
The Bulls’ renowned kick-and-chase game was conspicuous by its absence and the Crusaders excelled in creating space out wide when they moved the ball at pace.
The home side were without star back and goalkicker Dan Carter, who is still nursing a hamstring strain, and although replacement Matt Berquist’s kicking for goal was average, the Crusaders’ superb backline still functioned with its accustomed pace and flair.
After Berquist opened the scoring with a 10th minute penalty, inside centre Sonny Bill Williams crossed for his third try of the season five minutes later.
Williams carved through some indifferent midfield defence, then powered over the line in three tackles for the try.
Berquist missed the conversion, but added two more penalties – the second on the stroke of halftime – to give the Crusaders a 14-0 lead at the break.
Veteran lock Chris Jack, in for the injured Sam Whitelock, belied his years with a solid performance, stealing a lineout throw from Bulls captain Victor Matfield in the first half and impressing in loose play with some strong running.
It took just three minutes of the second stanza before the Crusaders added to their scoreline, fullback Israel Dagg showing real strength to power over for the try after a run from winger Zac Guildford.
The Crusaders dominated at the set pieces, their speed at the breakdown and in recycling the ball keeping the Bulls consistently on the back foot.
However, it took another 30 minutes before the Crusaders crossed again, although Berquist kept the score ticking over with a penalty 20 minutes in.
Again, good hands and ball speed featured, Berquist handling well before the dangerous Robbie Fruean drew two defenders and offloaded for replacement centre Tom Marshall to cross for the try.
© AAP 2012Recommend this story.
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The Crowd Says (11) | Page 1 of Comments
Have Your Say
- Explore:
- Bulls, Crusaders, Dan Carter, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Super Rugby 2011
April 10th 2011 @ 11:19am
bennalong said | April 10th 2011 @ 11:19am | Report comment
The Crusaders smashed ‘em!
I love this team quietly and from afar.
That said, I am disturbed by the pattern emerging with NZ teams still diving over and killing the ball.
The Kiwi refs are the real culprits because the are not enforcing the new law which gives the tackled player the right to that brief time to place the ball, and they are also ignoring the law that prevents sealing off.
Perhaps you can argue that arriving in numbers gives rights, but if there are opposing defenders on their feet, pushing foreward and diving into the opposition legs to seal off, is clearly illegal.
In NZ it gets called counter rucking !
April 11th 2011 @ 10:16am
allblackfan said | April 11th 2011 @ 10:16am | Report comment
This from the land that gave us the collapsing scrum.
Two words .. Bill Young!!
April 10th 2011 @ 1:52pm
Sylvester Hyde said | April 10th 2011 @ 1:52pm | Report comment
You’re right, there was quite a lot of off the feet stuff. I thought both sides got away with it equally, it probably looked worse for the Crusaders because they had more ball.
Could have been a faster game and better spectacle otherwise.
April 10th 2011 @ 1:53pm
Wall-Nut said | April 10th 2011 @ 1:53pm | Report comment
Bennalong I’ve been seeing the same thing. I thought it was just me as I’ve been having the same debate with my kiwi mates. The Crusaders are just fantastic, killing off the ball just isn’t needed and frustrates me when the refs just are not picking up on it. Granted the Bulls were hopeless, I’ve never seen so many mistakes with dropped ball.
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April 11th 2011 @ 4:55am
Ben S said | April 11th 2011 @ 4:55am | Report comment
Quite a symbolic match: the old guard v the new firm. The Bulls look utterly bereft of ideas, which means PdV will need to get his thinking cap on.
April 11th 2011 @ 5:42am
Moaman said | April 11th 2011 @ 5:42am | Report comment
I agree Ben S. Was facinating to see that old Warhorse,Victor Matfield,showing signs of losing his powerful grip.Botha was subbed early…Spies(referred to by a kiwi Commentator as “one of the best 8s in the world”)AWOL and the unlikely figure of Chris Jack emerging from the ranks-he seemed to bee everywhere! Once again,I think the dew was hindrance…making handling sub-standard and marring the game as a spectacle.Night matches are a blight on our game-on a par with scrum-resets!! The Crusaders are a team on the rise.
April 11th 2011 @ 7:12am
Jerry said | April 11th 2011 @ 7:12am | Report comment
Spies is a flat track bully. He’ll run in some great tries when his team is on the front foot, but he’s laughable if they’re not. And his defence is pathetic – to see a guy that big get carried over the tryline by Israel Dagg was inexcusable (FDP didn’t exactly cover himself in glory in that moment either).
April 11th 2011 @ 7:29am
Lee said | April 11th 2011 @ 7:29am | Report comment
It almost seems like some of those older Boks e.g. Victor, Bakkies and Du Preez, are playing to avoid injury instead of trying to play well…
The Bulls game plan relies on complete commitment in the contact areas, it seems like they aren’t getting that from their front line players now – trying to last to the world cup maybe?
April 11th 2011 @ 12:42pm
Moaman said | April 11th 2011 @ 12:42pm | Report comment
Interesting point Lee.If they are trying to keep their powder dry they may find themselves replaced by some younger …er..guns-if you will excuse the awful metaphor.
April 11th 2011 @ 7:36pm
Lee said | April 11th 2011 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Unfortunately, I just don’t see it happening…PDV might drop one but I think them along with Smit and Habana will make the team for the cup, despite not proving they deserve it with this years performance.
April 11th 2011 @ 6:05am
Moaman said | April 11th 2011 @ 6:05am | Report comment
…Looking at he overall Points Table….seems to me unrealistic to expect any team lower than Bulls(8) to qualify.From the lower teams I think Chiefs could be the snake in the woodpile-a side that could cause some upsets along the way and bring hiccups to the odd pace-setter.Of the current Top 8….Sharks have played the extra match and are potentially in danger.The bonus points make an interesting read too.Planet rugby has Crusaders on top based(i think)on Points Differential.