The Crusaders have kept pace with the Chiefs at the top of Super Rugby’s New Zealand conference by thumping the Melbourne Rebels 85-26 in Christchurch.
The home side ran in 13 tries to four on Saturday night, with wing Johnny McNicholl getting a hat-trick, as they celebrated stand-in skipper Sam Whitelock’s 100th match in style.
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With one round to go, the Crusaders are back to a point behind the Chiefs, who had secured their own bonus-point victory on Friday against the Queensland Reds.
The Rebels, who leaked 50 points last weekend against the Stormers, were out of finals contention before the match at AMI Stadium.
But the Crusaders, smarting from their loss to the Chiefs in Suva, had plenty to play for.
With regular captain Kieran Read given a rest, Whitelock led from the front, with the lock charging forward from the kick-off and then scoring the first try inside two minutes.
The Crusaders continued to show plenty of attacking intent as they went on to run in seven tries in the opening spell, with centre Ryan Crotty grabbing a double.
They were helped by handling errors, turnovers and missed tackles by the Rebels, who also struggled at set-piece.
The visitors had something to cheer late in the opening spell when, with the score at 38-0, skipper Nic Stirzaker finished off a strong run by winger Sefa Naivalu.
But the one-way traffic continued early in the second half as the Crusaders added three touchdowns in seven minutes, including a brace by hooker Codie Taylor.
There was a period of resistance from the Rebels, which included a kick-and-regather try by midfielder Reece Hodge before he went off injured.
The Crusaders responded with two tries in two minutes.
The Rebels then produced a late charge, with lock Culum Retallick dotting down from close range and Naivalu finishing off a counter-attack.
But McNicholl had the final say, getting his third five-pointer after the hooter.
Not Bothered
Guest
Hahahahaaaaaaaaaa! Love your work Ant.
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
You are spot on ! NZ has a vast array of world class sportsman. The Aussie's have unsuccessfully tried to turn Union into League over the last 15 years and that is why we haven't won a world Cup. The ARU and Coaches have ignored the traditional tenants of Union - strong scrums and line outs. . To suggest our issues has to do with a small playing base is bollocks. If anything , i would argue the contrary. Having 3 physical contact sports in Oz should be a significant basis for producing more hybrid gifted athletes. NZ rugby is better because they do the basics exemplary well and recognize that there are many facets to the game other than " expansive rugby ".
Whakaata
Guest
It gets trotted out over and over again, For some reasons Australians don't realise that New Zealand plays all the other sports they themselves claim to play bar AFL. I would say at least 20% of the NRL would be Kiwi eligible players but again it's easier to ignore reality and drag out the same old 'oh we don't play this game' spiel time and time again.
Shane D
Roar Rookie
And there we have it. The old 'we don't really play the game' line that gets an airing after a poor run. Would be relevant if the populations of NZ & Australia were similar but when you have two cities that have the same population as NZ by themselves then it kind of loses impact.
Antoni
Guest
Rugby is a very minor sport in Australia and is decreasing in relevance. I am not seeking to deminish the accomplishments of the NZ teams this year, but this is a fact that must be understood. NZ is in a different league in 2016. The player numbers that are published are pure fantasy, concocted by the ARU and World Rugby marketing departments. They bear no resmeblence to reality whatsoever. A 5 minute calculation of claimed senior men player numbers and the number of teams that would mean confirms this.
Antoni
Guest
Yeah, true, that is a bonus.But for the slow ones out there it is coach of the year 2015. It is now 2016.
Lara
Guest
Thank goodness for that or all would be lost.
wardad
Guest
I am sure these young blokes are agonizing over this loss ,they need to use that to up their performance next week .The ARU needs to use the NZ system for allocating players to the various teams ,it would be a start to raising all the Aussie teams standards I reckon .
wardad
Guest
Mr Jokerman did you have a wry smile in place when you posted this ? Hehehehe....
Jokerman
Guest
Come on look at the positives - you have the best coach in the whole world!
Mike Huber
Roar Pro
Can these clowns be relocated to Madagascar as they don't warrant the term " Melbourene and Rebels "in there title . How about the Madagascar ruffed lemurs........
Really
Guest
The Rebel's players should forfeit their match payment for this debacle . If they had any guts and pride they would do this and put out a media statement apologizing to the fans . Comprehensively beaten by England and now the laughing stock of Super rugby . No wonder why the kiwis have been adamant Australia can only field three teams in Super rugby .
ben
Guest
I can never understand professional teams conceding 96 or 85...its just a joke...u10 stuff.
rico
Guest
too true 230 odd to 40 odd not great
Squirrel
Guest
Wtf. Cull the rebels or force or both. This is ridiculous.
Pete
Guest
Correction sad season
Celtic334
Guest
Correction sad weekend.
Sirousleh
Roar Rookie
A very sad day for Australian Rugby