The Western Force have put a major dent in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title hopes, unable to land the killer blow but still denying the heavyweights a bonus point in a 29-21 loss in Christchurch.
After going down 29-14 early in the second half, the Force dominated field position and possession against the formidable Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
Reduced to 14 men thanks to a late injury to replacement Tim Anstee, the Force finally cracked the line with the final play of the game when captain Kyle Godwin’s long-range kick was chased down by Jordan Olowofela.
It caught the Crusaders napping and took away a bonus point that could prove the difference between high-flying New Zealand teams in a tournament that features a stand-alone final.
“It’s been a bit of theme, leaking late points and that one really hurts when it’s a points race and there’s a fight at the top there,” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.
“We were aware of what the Force bring – niggle and stuff at the breakdown – they certainly challenged us there and stopped a wee bit of our flow.”
(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Earlier Toni Pulu scored a brilliant try in just the second minute, stepping inside and beating three defenders as the Force’s pursuit of a first win in Christchurch started well.
But the winger, a smoky for a Wallabies Test cap next month, was helped from the field with an apparent ankle injury just before halftime.
The Crusaders were without rested quartet Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock, Sevu Reece and George Bower at Orangetheory Stadium.
Still, they looked to have wrestled back momentum with two tries in response to Pulu’s early effort before Ollie Callan crossed in his starting debut in the number eight jersey.
Up 29-14, Crusaders fullback Will Jordan was denied a third try, strangely because of a Force error when Jake Strachan stepped on the sideline before he threw a pass that teammate Domingo Miotti knocked on.
It was all the Force for the last 20 minutes, denied a brilliant try when Richard Kahui’s tap-on pass was deemed forward while Godwin was also held up over the line.
That was as close as they got until the final minute, the Force now boasting three losses by ten points or less from their four Trans-Tasman clashes so far.
“We’ve been growing as a team every week,” Godwin said.
“I’m really proud of the guys (even though) we couldn’t go all the way and probably left a few tries out there while in the attacking zone.
“We’ve got a lot of potential… the Crusaders are a world-class side and we can stick with them.”
I dont agree with your no 1 point. I dont believe Burke was the reason they didnt get a BP. Its not that he has decided he couldnt rest Mounga as surely up by 30 v the Reds etc is plenty of time to rest Mounga from the last 20 mins etc but Razor has failed to even name a back-up 10 in most game day 23s as he decided he can use Havili there if he has too. In other words he chose not to have a back-up 10, play RM every minute and not to give a guy a go. That is 100% on him.
Sylvester
Guest
I guess with the intensity Super Rugby Aotearoa Razor didn't think he had the luxury of resting RM. Two things though. 1. Burke was the reason the Crusaders failed to get the bonus point. 2. Quite a few players with limited game time have played well when given the opportunity.
He has had Burke all year so why has Burke not seen far more game time? Then he throws him in and it doesnt work like he thought it would? Why should it have worked given the time Razor hasnt invested in him.
Ex force fan
Guest
Please continue to underestimate us... everyone else do. We are used to be underdogs.
Sylvester
Guest
Havili filled in last year when RM was injured, so he had that option up his sleeve. In saying that, Burke was solid enough. The Crusaders just didn't match the Force's intensity.
piru
Roar Rookie
Yes, but they lost a crucial bonus point. Can't imagine the A side would have
FrancisF
Roar Pro
True… but the Crusaders-B still win, didn’t they?
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
Paulo, 7 of pack are Aussies. 2 knocking on WBs selection with 2 more not far off. At game's end the back row was all WA raised, as was the 9. Yes we often have 5 multinatonal backs. But it should be noted it is the forwards who've put us firmly back on the map as the golden oldies miss fired too often.
piru
Roar Rookie
A bit insulting though… that the Crusaders basically put up a B team Yes, a wee bit, but they paid the price didn't they?
FrancisF
Roar Pro
A bit insulting though… that the Crusaders basically put up a B team… and rumours had it, it is partly under the instructions of AB management to try out different players for coming international matches. The Trans Tasman is a practice round to try out potential AB candidates. After all, Crusader is alreadys #1 team aamong Kiwi teams… bolstered by the fact oue Aussie teams had been roundly humiliated all Kiwi teams except one, and even then, that one Kiwi team had lost its exciting star player with a red card … worst, the Aussie team almost lost to that ONLY losing Kiwi team ( so far) despite that. Fact: Inconvenient Truth really hurts especially for Australian Rugby…And it is better that way for us NOW so that Australian Rugby can take “ the bull by the horns “ to re invent itself to climb back to its glory days to be a serious challenger across the chaps in black jerseys across the ditch when the rugby season starts each year. Sorry if this hurts our enlarged Aussie ego.
jcmasher
Roar Rookie
Harsh call on the Crusaders. Not their fault they’re a good team
Ex force fan
Guest
Too much truth in that statement.... could have helped if the media bothered to ask him.
Ex force fan
Guest
We have seen in previous weeks that a close loss looks better as we see the results from other games. I don’t expect the Brumbies to be favourites to win even at home.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Lucky then that the Force are more a United Nations than an Aussie team.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“They play with more heart than any of the Aus teams and i think because they aint show ponies tryn to make Wallaby stardom..” Considering a fair amount of them are not Aussies and not eligible for the Wallabies, is this a surprise? As long as the Saders dont make the final, the TT will be a success …??? Why? If the Crusaders qualify they qualify. If they don’t, they don’t. Have the last few SR seasons been failures because the Crusaders won?
Loosey
Roar Rookie
The Force appear to have developed a culture of not making it easy for an opposing team with solid defence, never giving up until the ref blows full time and demanding but giving respect. Sure, they make mistakes and their skill level is not quite up to the Kiwi sides but they compensate with determination and never say die attitude. When they score tries like the last one following a monstrous turnover, you just have to appreciate it and applaud. It was something you expect every Kiwi side to do. That, against the best Kiwi side, with 14 men, in the dying minutes of the game is character, which the Force have in spades. Taking guys out of that team culture and dropping them into the Wallabies might yield mixed results. Either way, whatever they've got, bottle it and give it to the Wallabies.
Ex force fan
Guest
How can you not love the Force...there never die attitude on and off the field against all odds should surety secure their future to become a powerhouse in rugby.
Coker
Roar Rookie
Bit harsh. Robertson did have a more-than-decent backup (Hunt), but he left for more game time, as any decent player with ambition would do. Which is precisely the problem — nobody good is going to sit around waiting to play a few minutes every few games. In any event, it wasn't Burke who had the moment of madness that led the Crusaders to try for a 6th try rather than just running the clock down, without which we wouldn't be having this conversation.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
Don’t tell Deep Dave Rennie . He has never heard of the Force.
WEST
Roar Guru
Yeah I reckon! Razor looked a bit peeved