Leicester Fainga’anuku and Will Jordan have both scored hat-tricks to power the Crusaders to a 53-15 bonus-point win over the Western Force in Perth.
Winger Fainga’anuku touched down three times in the first half to set the tone of Saturday night’s Super Rugby Pacific match at HBF Park.
Fullback Jordan then completed the demolition job with three of his own in the second half in the eight-tries-to-two romp.
“They’re a classy outfit. If you want to compete against them, you have to have an 80-minute performance,” Force stand-in captain Kyle Godwin said.
“We weren’t too bad in the first half. But we rested on our laurels there and got punched in the second half.
“It’s disappointing. It’s back to the drawing board again.”
The Crusaders entered the clash under intense pressure after suffering two losses from their past three games – a rare form slump for the 12-time champions.
Their win over the Force has helped improve their record to 8-3, but the Crusaders’ top-two hopes will be put to the test when they take on the second-placed Brumbies in Canberra on Friday night.
The Force are now a woeful 2-8, but remarkably they are still within touching distance of the eighth-placed Highlanders, with the two teams to clash in New Zealand next Friday.
Will Jordan of the Crusaders runs in for a try. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)
The Crusaders were forced into a late shuffle on Saturday after several players were forced into the health and safety protocols.
Oli Jager, Zach Gallagher, Mitch Drummond and Dominic Gardiner were all withdrawn on medical grounds, but the Crusaders still entered the match boasting a squad laden with All Blacks.
The Force also suffered a late blow after in-form winger Manasa Mataele and former All Black Richard Kahui were ruled out due to the head injury assessment protocols.
Fainga’anuku scored the first try of the match in the 12th minute when he barged over from close range.
The Force hit back in spectacular style four minutes later when Kyle Godwin unleashed a perfectly-placed dribble kick for fullback Jake Strachan to run onto.
But the rest of the half belonged to the Crusaders, with Fainga’anuku shining the brightest.
The 22-year-old jumped into the air with his arm outstretched to touch down in the corner while he was being pushed into touch by Godwin.
His third try will end up being one of the easiest of his career, with Fainga’anuku strolling over in the left-hand corner after the Force left him completely unmarked from a scrum.
The scoreline read 18-15 when Force flanker Fergus Lee-Warner touched down early in the second half.
But the Crusaders ran in the next five tries – including three to Jordan – to seal the easy win.
Ex force fan
Guest
Coleman is banking the dividends of a young squad that gained more experience last year. he Tahs were always on a hiding last year with the lack of experience in key positions. The same is likely to happen with the Force with a young squad and especially inexperience in key positions being exposed in crucial close games.
Ex force fan
Guest
Include the Wallaby top-ups in the salary cap and then the Force will can spend the same on players as the franchises with a lot of Wallabies.
West Aussie Exile
Roar Rookie
I agree -disappointing. I am hoping that Simon Cron can have the same immediate impact that Darren Coleman has had at the Waratahs. He does need some extra cattle to have a chance, though
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
The only way to fixing them is removing the salary cap. Force need the shackles removed so we can go and sign who we want because money is no issue for us. We need marquee players as well as it’s keeps the crowds high.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Agreed, we have been awful this year.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
This has been a bloody bad campaign. Clearly the announcement of Sampson leaving has impacted the playing squad - it always was going to. With a couple key departures also happening (namely FLW) we appear to be heading straight back to where we were when we got dumped out the comp. For all our high and mighty board of directors and money, we have had no improvement this year despite having a much better squad.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Thanks Paulo, he could have clarified that as I am already confused enough.. :silly:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Cheers Colvin.. :thumbup:
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
The only way to fix the financial position is dramatically reduce the content they sell for TV money and column inches by having 40% less rugby to report?
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Last night's The Breakdown was posted on You Tube about an hour ago MK
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“Last year it was close battle Crusaders winning 31-28 four tries to Crusaders five.” My guess is he is referring to this sentence. I, and most other people will know how it’s meant to be read. As the Force isn’t mentioned in that sentence, he has read it as Saders beat Saders.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Ok, I don’t recall that one off the top of my head. I know there was a few hard a during the game, most of the ones I remember I thought were ‘ok’, but can’t remember that one. While it was good to have less TMO, I agree it was also strange that some things were given a quick look.
Carlos the Argie
Roar Guru
I agree on the Saffas and Poms….
piru
Roar Rookie
"constant blowout losses" We've lost two games this year by 10+, hardly constant. Jog on
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
It may not have been the best word to use in the circumstances but to me, and others have commented as well, Force have been quite competitive this season, particularly against the Blues when they nearly pulled of a win and even in the early parts of this game. He may have been thinking about that. Tell you what, there was a big crowd in attendance.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I agree Colvin especially about the coach, next season they should hopefully be more consistent.
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Yes Mad, it's not immediately obvious what the meaning was. To me Force have a good 23 but after a few injuries the depth can be exposed. The new coach is well connected and I'm picking he will bring a few key players and build more depth.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Can you explain your post? I know that you mean that the game was one sided, but show some respect and remember that the Crusaders had lost two of their previous three games.
Sheikh
Roar Rookie
It was from a kick (box kick, I think). Force player jumping for the catch, Crusaders player took out his legs.
Fox
Roar Guru
Yes i agree CUW the Ref had a good game in that game but I still think all refs are taking too long with some decisons. Mind you even that seemed a little better this week – but I wouldn’t hold my breath. I think the ref in the Blues game – well it was made pretty in some ways. Yes i do understand English CUW I did ‘rad’ your post. :laughing: