A thrilling Super Rugby semi-final has seen the Crusaders advance to the grand final for the third year in a row, getting the better of the Hurricanes by 30 to 26 in Christchurch.
After a strong start to the game, the home side had to survive numerous scares in the second half, eventually surviving by the skin of their teeth after a brilliant final ten minutes where they didn’t let up.
The Crusaders dominated much of the first half, but struggled to come up with the points to show for it.
The possession and territory they had, combined with errors from the Hurricanes, left them ruing missed opportunities by the time the halftime siren sounded.
After just quarter of an hour, it looked like the Crusaders were going to be in a position to blow the Hurricanes off the park, however, the Hurricanes defence got going, and they managed to hold out the usually clinical Crusaders for the remainder of the first 40 minutes.
Only a couple of penalty goals added to their converted try, although a 13-0 lead was still a daunting prospect for the ‘Canes.
They finally got on the board just before halftime as Ngani Laumape put on a try, and with the Beauden Barrett conversion, it was just a six-point game as the sides headed for the dressing rooms.
The Hurricanes continued on their merry way early in the second half, running on another try through Ben Lam straight after the break. The missed conversion left them a point behind though, and the Crusaders managed to whether the storm early in the second half, which turned out to be a classic.
Richie Mo’unga and Laumape then traded tries, before Sevu Reece and TJ Perenara did the same, leaving the game still in the favour of the Crusaders by just a point with 20 minutes to go.
The men from Canterbury would ultimately hold on though, with a penalty goal and some long stretches of possession allowing them to hang on.
The grand final appearance will mark the third in a row for the Crusaders, who move on to play the Jaguares with home ground advantage next weekend in Christchurch.
Crusaders 30
Hurricanes 26
Clash
Roar Pro
“.... a nastier tone of commentary has been....” hah hah hah hah. Danny, the raison d’être of some of the folk on The Roar is to make nasty personal comments if some bugger doesn’t agree with another buggee. Nothing new there Danny and I’m sure most are made by blokes who were trying hard not to be dropped from the Extra Fifths.
kevkaiora
Roar Rookie
Still buzzing well after game finished, Canes couldn't quite put that final move together, but have to admit that had resigned myself that we were going to get pipped at the post, absolutely awesome game, had everything, and both teams should be proud The Final, hopefully it produces something similar After all those years of Todd B, nearly made it, Robbo is one he'll off a coach is all can say
PB Gilbert
Guest
dpn't want Sevu Reece. 3 pens to 7 in favour of Saders - clearly the ref was under instruction to "let it flow" which is "good for the product", not letting anything nasty like offside defence, and clean outs around the ruck get in the way of "an attractive game." Always always an interpretation that plays into the Crusaders "dominant" play style. Not so effective at world cups.
Puff
Guest
Ben, somewhat of a low blow which could be call arrogant and ill informed. If you consider Melb has a slightly larger population that NZ, you are looking at very different dynamics. Have attended both venues and the MCG, is arguably one of the biggest sports stadiums in the world but most spectators are some distance from the action. This reduces viewer gratification as you are continually looking at the big monitors. Although, must admit there are numerous bars that offers, a different viewer experience. Christchurch is a city that displays resilience and buoyancy. Therefore, the city infrastructure and services to residence obviously comes first and if you consider that in the last eight years. The region has experienced a large number of additional unexpected quakes adding to the discomfort. The city fathers and engineers are working hard to incorporate new technologies. This temporary sports facility is more than adequate if you consider the number of senior matches assigned to the stadium. All seats are fairly close to the action and the capacity twenty thousand crowds, enjoy a much more atmospheric experience. I have never attended a super match in OZ, which attracts that kind of consistent support.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yes he is... I don’t know what I was smoking when I wrote that... (disclaimer: I don’t smoke anything, it was just me being a confused old man)
rebel
Roar Guru
Thought Gatland was going to the Chiefs
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
And he thinks Perenara and Maunga is all Aussie needs..
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Bens comment maybe harsh but it is a fair comment, my brothers house in Redcliffe, the epicentre- over 4 years to get a decision about settlement !! 4 years - bureaucracy at its maddest
woodart
Guest
havent you heard of this new invention, television? audience of millions.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
I can't understand all this skelton love, he is lighter, which needed to happen and good on him but still useless around the field.. still ambles around with no urgency, still late to rucks, still flops on them.. all he has going for him is his size.. he should watch that Bok player who is the same size but far, far, far more mobile and contributes for 80 minutes... .
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
4 good, 2 not enough with the current standard of refereeing... but then again 4 each would interrupt the game too much.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Agree Paulo. I think the Crusaders got away with that game, but not because of that. If it hadn’t happened to say it would have definitely been a win the Canes is a stretch... because we can only speculate on what happens after. If one moment like that is seen to decide the entire game, then in my view Hurricanes should have not allowed that to be the case and consequently are hardly deserve to be winners. But on the other hand had BBB not missed some of his kicks compared to Richie and had they started firing in the first half than leaving it to the second... well, as I posted on a different page, this was not a Crusaders performance that would be filling me with wild hope for the finals next week against a side which suffocated the Jags, controller field position and executed to perfection. Superb games Perenara, BB, Reece, Laumape, Crotty, Richie in the backs
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Marshall is a certified idi0t. I think he is pushing for Kearns spot. For the most part I can blot him out... but now and again he comes up with something that is too dumb even for a non- rugby person. I would seriously rather listen to my 16 year old daughter commentating... she is enthusiastic, but knows next to nothing about the rules or strategy. They are on the halfway, mid first half, Canes get penalty, not on the scoreboard and haven’t put any phases together. Jordie steps up to kick.... Marshall suggests they should go for a penalty kick and go for the try. The seatbelt tackle comment, not hard to work out what it is and what makes it dangerous.. but the whiplash made it look worse according to Marshall... seriously. I think they use him because it makes the average rugby fan feel like they are smart... because compared to him.
Danny
Roar Pro
Agreed OE but really it shouldn’t be up to the players. Coaching and management/board I think should set the culture and players come with or leave. But when background politics ie board or management is a mess it’s tough to set a cultural red line. I suspect Blues, Tahs and Reds all suffer this affliction.
Danny
Roar Pro
It’s a shame that ever since he who shall not be named decided he would rewrite contract law, a nastier tone of commentary has been emboldened in this rugby forum. Spilling over from gab or r/pepetrump I suppose.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I think they wanted to close the play down, but just couldn’t with how the Canes were able to dictate the game flow. It was great to see two teams who like different game styles try and dominant each other in their respective styles. Love it.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Yea, that last call was a bit iffy, and as a Crusaders fan, that’s all I will concede haha. Seriously though, I’m an advocate of trying not to focus on one call that didn’t go the way you want, as there would be many many more through out the game that had an impact, so trying to pin point one decision as the root/sole cause is fruitless and counter productive. You/we need to figure out a way to take the ref out of the game by getting a decent margin on the opposition, tough to do when you have a quality opposition like the Canes though. And I’m aware it’s easier for me to say that one call isn’t to blame for the result when I’m on the winning side. Please pull me up if you ever see me on the not-winning side blaming one decision and having a rant.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
60, so only 6 more to tie, and 7 to eclipse the nameless one.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Great comment and summary. Matches how I felt fr watching on TV, BAU for a while, then the Canes kicked in and I thought they would run us down. Trading tries was stressful. Glad the boys got the win and get to stay at home. Tough for the Canes, absolutely brilliant team, unfortunately they are operating at a time when the Crusaders are just on another level, I think the Canes and the Jags are probably the only other teams on the same level as the Crusaders at this stage and are the only ones that had/have a chance of beating them at home.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Leon is well versed in ‘Rugby Culture’, having lived and breathed the Red n Black for years. If he can bring that to the blues, then look out. But yes, you can’t change someone how doesn’t want to change. That will be the challenge for Leon, and the time frame may be longer than the powers that be are willing to give him. Time will tell.