The Crusaders scored four of their six tries in the last 17 minutes to beat the Cheetahs 52-31 in Super Rugby on Saturday. Powerful wing Nemani Nadolo collected a hat trick.
Trailing by five points after 63 minutes, the New Zealanders found late energy to subdue a Cheetahs team in a free-flowing 10-try game at Free State Stadium.
Super Rugby’s most successful team also made it two wins from two from the tour of South Africa.
The Crusaders led 26-10 when Nadolo went over for his first in the opening minute of the second half.
Cheetahs centre Johann Sadie inspired the home team’s brief fight-back, but the seven-time champions powered home at the end as tries from replacement Tom Taylor, flyhalf Colin Slade and two more from Nadolo sealed victory in style.
44bottles
Guest
I didn't say he was south african.
fredstone
Guest
Who are obviously wrong, hehe
Doesn't even matter whether you are right or wrong mate, I have come to realise we are in the minority over here, blaming referees gets us nowhere fast. That is hallowed ground, purpose made for the majority. ;)
fredstone
Guest
NZ ref, reffing an NZ team boet.
fredstone
Guest
Must b my misplaced loyalties
Loftus
Guest
'''The Cheetahs were Sth Africa’s pre tournament hope.''' Hahahahahaha!!! That was funny.
Sylvester
Guest
Actually, Crusaders have the game as a sweetner for Christchurch missing out on a test this year.
Paul
Guest
England play the Sader is more to do with a bit of history and tradition. The Canterbury area has a strong English heritage and colonial beginning and still has this influence to this day hence for the 'Crusaders'. Go further down deep south, Otago- its has its strong Scottish heritage hence for the 'Highlanders'
waikato07
Guest
I was watching the game in the weekend and thought - I bet you'd get good odds this week on the Crusaders winning the title - also thought good odds on Force making the final - Thoroughly enjoyed watching the force over the last few weeks (excerpt the game against the chiefs) and the Crusaders are starting to look better - next weeks game against the chiefs will be a cracker.
Common Sense
Guest
He's currently in Augusta apparently. He shouldn't bother with Super Rugby or the Rugby Championship this year. Spend the extra time to get himself right and play a good ITM cup campaign to knock out the kinks and cobwebs. Come back for the end of year tour and we'll see how well his body holds up. The All Blacks have Cruden, Barrett, Slade, Taylor, Sopoaga, Anscombe and Marty Banks to fill the void. They don't 'need him' like they have before and it's a good opportunity to blood some new players and battle harden some older ones. We all know Dan will come back as the same Dan Carter he was before he left, give him the best opportunity to be able to peak next year.
Wal
Roar Guru
Twitter feed has had him back at gym training since the beginning of March. He will more than likely play a couple of club matches. And be back round 16-18.
44bottles
Guest
He said that he was going to do a bit of work to get ready (gym, club games). Not sure how much that will affect him though.
Chan Wee
Guest
@ 44bottles : I suppose they are the only idling team that weekend. first it was thought Bllues will play. england play only one midweek game if i remember correct.
Common Sense
Guest
Carter won't be back by round 14, usually you need at least 2 months of solid prep work and carter looks to still be on holiday.
Sprigs
Guest
Even though part of a losing team, Willie le Roux seems to me to be one of the best players of any team in the competition. If he were eligible, which team wouldn't select him?
Firstxv
Guest
Whats encouraging from a NZ perspective is there are an awful lot of individuals playing well out there. We have Cruden out so will rely on Barrett vs England but we've also got Slade finally showing his true abilities after having so many early knockbacks. If he carries that sort of form he could add to the 10 shortlist fairly quickly. Anscombe also is a tidy replacement for Cruden, with more value in his goalkicking than general play but an ample back up. Read looks back to form and although no sides are tearing up the sxv theyre certainly all having their moments and thats gotta be good for the AB's where individials are concerned, particularly in the backs- too many to fit on the field it seems. Blues and Canes need to step up like the other 3 did last weekend...good to see. Gosh it was oh so long ago that Folau and the Tahs were lighting up these pages...they still are....but for veeeeeery different reasons...
quicksilver
Guest
I am a rusted on Blues supporter and I am worried about them. The game against the Brumbies strengthened my concerns. It would appear that not much has changed under Kirwan and I suspect Graham Henry's input is minimal or ignored by SJK. There is still an inability to read a game and change the plan if things aren't working and too much reliance on flashes of brilliance to win a game. How we can put a team on the field with so much talent and yet play like headless chooks is beyond me. We saw SJK flapping his arms around in the sheds at half-time. What the hell did he say because the second half was a carbon copy of the first. A truism is that good coaches bring out the best in players. On that count SJK is failing miserably with the players he has at his disposal.
Robots
Guest
TM Your response is predictably AGGRESSIVE..... The possible infringement took place when Crotty changed directions and pushed the defending player. An attacking player without the ball can not change direction and lean into a defending player who is trying to tackle the ball carrier. It's not Gridiron.
Wal
Roar Guru
Players to come back between now and round 14 Carter R14 McCaw R12 Romano R10 They still have a lot to work on but may yet make it 8 titles. Next 4 weeks will be make or break Chiefs, Brumbies, Reds, Sharks
Wal
Roar Guru
When you have 13 AB's not training with the team during the off season it is perhaps a little understandable they take a while to get the systems right.