The Crusaders have been crowned Super Rugby champions for 2017 after defeating the Lions at Emirates Airlines Park in Johannesburg by 25 points to 17 in a hard fought and composed performance in front of over 60,000 fans.
The Lions started the match full of intent, seemingly determined to not make another slow start after the last two matches, however they could not quite find their cohesion and accuracy early.
An early mistake at a ruck saw Ryan Crotty swoop on the loose ball and pop to his winger Seta Tamanivalu who would run 70 meters untouched to open the scoring for the visitors, duly converted by Richie Mo’unga for an early 7-0 lead.
Elton Jantjies kicked the restart out on the full and the Crusaders, from halfway built a superb attack, which they swept into the Lions 22 and with quick ball, centre Jack Goodhue was released on the outside to score in the corner and the Crusaders had raced to an early lead.
The Lions fought their way back into the match, dominating for periods as they looked to strike back but poor handling at times let them down though they did manage a penalty to Jantjies to reduce some of the deficit.
That was before disaster struck for the host side, flanker Kwagga Smith colliding with David Havili, who had leapt to take a high ball and landed awkwardly on his back.
After consultation with the TMO, referee Jaco Peyper deemed the challenge reckless and issued a red card, reducing the Lions to 14 for the balance of the contest in what proved to be a match-defining decision.
Richie Mo’unga landed a penalty on the stroke of halftime and the Crusaders had a healthy advantage of 15-3 at the break.
The Crusaders picked up where they left off at halftime, immediately surging onto attack and the Lions eventually cracked with Kieran Read barging over.
With the conversion the Crusaders were looking comfortable at 22-3, and even more so after more pressure resulted in another penalty to Mo’unga and the lead stretched by another three.
To their credit, the Lions certainly did not die wondering as they increased their intensity and pace as they fought valiantly to bring themselves back into the match.
For a brief moment, they certainly looked capable after securing two tries to pull the margin back to eight points despite the numerical disadvantage.
However, their lineout failed at key moments and the Crusaders’ composure saw them close out the match and secure the franchise’s eighth Super title and first since 2008.
Hannes
Guest
Pre-isolation the Boks won more games against the All Blacks than the All Blacks won against the Boks. Temper your century a little...
Hannes
Guest
Maybe his is not playing to win but to use his talent to honour his God.
elvis
Guest
Actually there are at least two people suggesting the same thing in the comment thread ...
elvis
Guest
Instead of just calling him a dummy, maybe you could expand your comment to include the reasons behind your point of view? Much more constructive...
Katipo
Guest
I'm not alone. NZ journalists are also suggesting that jumping to claim a bomb should be banned - http://www.newshub.co.nz/home/sport/2017/08/ross-karl-should-the-bomb-be-banned-from-rugby.html
Notsobrave
Guest
I'm not sure that you understand both the game of rugby and human nature. I suspect it is the later. Because if you understood both you would clearly see the need for the send off without replacement rule for the player who transgresses certain rules in relation to player safety.
Katipo
Guest
@sylvester I'm serious in believing that the act of running and jumping in the air to catch an up and under is dangerous for both the person who jumps (Havili) and whomever he lands on (Smith). If the laws are really there to protect the players, then the laws should prohibit running and jumping. I realise that I am alone in this view - but logic is on my side :-)
Sylvester
Guest
You were serious Katipo...?
Notsobrave
Guest
You are wrong. A tragic decision by the referee would have been not to red card Kwagga. Why? If the referee didn't send him off because it was a 'final', because it was 'super rugby' then it is likely to have sent the message that this type of incident was ok and you wuld have seen a number of incidents like it in lower grades of rugby with perhaps tragic consequences. This referee sent a very strong message on one of the highest rugby stages to the rugby players of the world that this type of action was not acceptable and he also set the standard for all referees on hat their response should be if a player transgresses. The message is unambigious: If you are going to be late to compete for a ball in the air then it is better that you don't compete at all and stay out of the way of the player catching the ball until they land.
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Good summary Digger - the final was a worthy contest of the kind sorely needed in SR as a whole. Need that quality to keep people watching the game.
piru
Roar Rookie
Unless you are Jack Ryan please change your name immediately
Drongo
Guest
I was one of the first to say SBW had no intention to harm but don't let the facts get in the way of your rampant Kiwi bias.
Drongo
Guest
I was one of the first to say SBW had no intention to harm but don't let the facts get in the way of your rampant Kiwi bias.
Jacko
Guest
The NZ herald is an Aus paper Rhys
Jacko
Guest
Not to mention you are allowed to shoulder charge if you have the ball Katipo
Jacko
Guest
Haha that is a negative comment done in a sarcastic manner BB
Jacko
Guest
So he only mentions it when it happens to his team then?
Jacko
Guest
Hooper used a club game to overcome a suspension...I think 2013 but others will know for sure..Hope that backs it up for you
Jacko
Guest
If an AB did the Haka and said after the match that he didnt care if they won or lost then that would be a massive issue for me...Again tho he can be anything he wants...I have no issue with that...Just dont say out loud that you dont care if you win or lose...such an odd comment from a captain after a final
Jacko
Guest
BB should I pick your toys up and put them back in your cot? If you are going then go...