The Crusaders have won their third straight Super Rugby title, but were made to work for it by a brave Jaguares side in Christchurch, with an eventual margin of 16 points after what was an entertaining contest.
After getting the better of the Lions in the last two finals, the Crusaders were tasked with another opponent from the South African conference, as Argentina’s Jaguares played in their first grand final.
However, the travel and might of the Crusaders turned out to be too much for the visitors, as the Crusaders stamped their authority as the dominant rugby team of this decade by taking out their third straight title and 10th as a franchise in just 23 seasons since SANZAAR took over the running of the competition.
Despite the best efforts of the Jaguares rushing defence during the first half, the opportunistic home side took their opportunities better and went into the sheds up by seven points.
While both sides had penalty goals in a contest where plenty of handling errors were being forced by rushing defence, the Crusaders found a try through Cody Taylor in the 24th minute and it would be ultimately the lead they carried into the second half, and a lead the Jaguares found impossible to recover.
Some counter attacking play early in the second half almost gave the visitors a chance to level, but they failed to convert on the final pass after finding space out wide, with Pablo Matera involved in everything for the Argentinians.
The Jaguares intent to start the second half continued in the following minutes, however, the Crusaders defence was up to the task on everything, and another mistake from the visitors in the 46th minute through Tomas Lavinini hurt them greatly, with the Crusaders forced to almost double the tackle count of their opponents to that point in the game.
The home side used the most of the change in momentum, and while they ignored the chance to take a shot at penalty goal with the first penalty, they received another shortly afterwards and made the lead ten, which was always going to be a long way back for the Jaguares with just 25 minutes to go.
Another penalty goal shortly afterwards continued to kick the Crusaders away, but they refused to break in defence, and the Jaguares just had no answers in the closing minutes to the juggernaut.
A further late penalty goal only put the icing on the cake for the Crusaders, as they ran out 16-point winners.
Crusaders 19
Jaguares 3
jacko
Guest
i do agree that the Assistant refs need to sharpen up their attitudes to this type of thing and at the moment i feel as tho the Ass refs dont want to make a call at all. However last night i felt the ref did a very good job at constantly telling the players to get back...get back.....So I guess he had his instructions from the bosses. I didnt think either sidewas worse than the other as far as off side was concerned tho
concerned supporter
Roar Rookie
Jacko, Total game penalties - CRU 8 - JAG 4 I thought that a major function of Ass Refs was to police the offside line. The CRU's pushed it to the limit.
Jacko
Guest
No...Not once...4 times
Jacko
Guest
if we are doing corrections then the Puma's cannot win "home and away" against Aus or SA as there is only 1 game v opposition this RC then 1 extra Bledisloe game
woodart
Guest
good to see someone realised this. the jag 10 really threw it away with terrible kicking. the NZ tv made this point through the match. the 10 changed his style of play through the match and stood way to deep and kicked easy catches to havili time after time.
Leading Authority
Roar Rookie
Playing well throughout the year to top the table and secure a home grand final is the minimum. Being able to score at least 3-4 tries against the crusader defence ensures a fighting chance.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes it does though the Jaguares probably would have scored the types of tries they missed with the three they did. Handling was terrible with the ball constantly sliding off and out of hands. On a try track multiple tries would definitely have been scored. Both sides were constantly trying to attack but the unsure handling resulted in heavy defensive gains for both sides.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
I didn't see the game but sounds a little like a few Saracens wins. (But with strangely fewer tries, even given the conditions). I'd pay good money to see Sarries vs Saders, in dry conditions. Maybe WC will dish that up.
Puff
Guest
As a disillusioned Rebel supporter it became realistically obvious the distance we still need to travel to be a player reserved for these special moments on the big stage. The Jaguares had no intention, of just making up the numbers in Christchurch. Unfortunately had to bring more to the party, to disparage even the most nervous Crusader enthusiast. While the weather conditions made skillful high octane rugby a restraint the home team displayed a dogmatic assertive style of game plan. The Args continually changed their approach from plan A to D and towards the end struggled to deliver constructive penetrative answers. The Arg’s were a worthy finalist and a team to watch. The sad truth is still unpalatable, even with the number of signature players departing the Crusader franchiser’s, they will still be extremely competitive next season. Therefore, what boxes do our most accomplished Super teams have to tick, to be more than a finalist?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes I’d probably listen to suzies weird gut feeling, shes an expert on the subject. :-)
Nobody
Roar Rookie
So, in the clear light of day, and sore head aside, let me offer congratulations to the Crusaders for winning the competition, yet again, and commiserations to the Jaguares. There’s no good way to spin it: to only score a single penalty in the game – they must be gutted. Good defence all round, but that really didn’t make for a very entertaining spectacle. I mean it was because it was a final, but in other respects it was a bit of a damp squib. A bit of arm wrestling, a single try, and then just penalties for the the rest. The Crusaders made plenty of errors, but they maintained scrum dominance and the Jaguares tactical kicking game was too poor to keep them in it. If it hadn’t been the final it would be a game best forgotten. Roll on the RC, super rugby next year, and the RWC.
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Hah, I just logged on to say, excuse my drunken ramblings :)
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yeah not a classic because of the conditions but it coukd have been because both teams were up for it.
Pinetree
Roar Rookie
I took your correction for its word, so I am guilty of not fact checking your post, dammit! I even liked. Doh!! Leading people astray, Nobody, drunk, no doubt, from the game (that's my excuse).
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Sorry Andrew (and Scott and everyone else!) it's you that are 100% correct. That penalty after the first half hooter was the first the Crusaders had scored. I am aghast at my own delusion! That really was an egregious error. :(
Andrew Johnson
Guest
No it was 10-3 at the break
Nobody
Roar Rookie
Doh, I meant after not before. But it's still the first half if it happens before the half-time break, so 13-3 is 100% right.
Mocko
Guest
Who would have picked the Crusaders to win
Rumen
Roar Rookie
Congratulations to the Crusaders and all their fans great achievement. After the Saders scored they composed and the hierarchy came out and everything became more difficult for the Jags. As a Jag fan I hope we can meet again on a final soon :) Always thanks those whom made possible for Argentina to participate and specially our friends South Africans ! Til next year
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Key moment was the Hall Havili double team on Moroni. Think it was the same man who arrived a fraction too late to a grubber kick in the second half. Slight chances but that’s what feeds a team’s belief. Jaguares failed to convert chances into points. Crusaders had faith in their scrum and breakdown and were able to tick the scoreboard over and hold firm in their defence. Not pretty but certainly effective. Sharks were able to tick the scoreboard over in their draw. That was the difference tonight. Jaguares were distraught in the dressing room but that’s how it should be. Need to channel that hurt into wins next season. I expect them to be front runners next season as well but a lot wiser if they reach the finals.