The Brumbies hoodoo against the Crusaders continues following a heavy 40-14 loss at home.
The Crusaders put on a counter attacking clinic running in six tries to two to put a dent in the Brumbies title chances after conceding more than 40 points for the second home game in a row.
The Match
It didn’t take long for Nemani Nadolo to make his presence known after barging over off a scrum with just six minutes gone after an error from Tomas Cubelli in attempting to clear a kick that went straight into the back of Scott Sio’s head.
The Brumbies were able to hit back minutes later with Robbie Coleman scoring in the left corner but that was about it for the Brumbies in the first half.
The Crusaders controlled the half from that point with the counter attacking they are known for causing problems for the Brumbies defence.
They turned a simple tackle into their second try after Matt Todd stripped the ball from Scott Fardy in contact and he set sail for the the line before offloading to winger Jone Macilai-Tori who ran untouched to the line.
The launched another raid from inside their own half with Kieron Fonotia slicing through the line and he found Nadolo who managed to add to his offload tally for the season and Israel Dagg hada simple run to the line.
The Brumbies discipline was starting to become a problem with Jaco Peyper handing out a warning after a series of penalties on their own 5m line and after the Crusaders ran the same lineout play three times, Codie Taylor rolled over for the Crusaders fourth try of the half.
The home side had one last chance to hit back before the break but a knock on ruined any chance to leave the score at 26-7.
The Crusaders came out with much of the same early in the second half with scrambling defence saving them on a number of occasions.
An unlikely intercept and kick through from Ben Alexander lead to a penalty and a neat backline move saw Joe Tomane continue his fine try scoring form with his fourth in two weeks. Lealiifano converted from wide out to make 26-14.
The Brumbies thought they might be able to close the gap but a dropped ball from Tevita Kuridrani on the attacking 22 ended up with the ball being kicked ahead and a magic one handed pick up from David Havili saw Taylor score his second of the game and Mo’unga’s conversion made it 33-14.
The visitors made it impossible for the Brumbies to play and on the rare chance they had of getting out of their own end, a knock on from Joe Tomane with Robbie Coleman in support summed up the game.
With 15 minutes to go the Crusaders added their sixth try to replacement Marty McKenzie after good leadup work by Macilai-Tori to extend their lead to 40-14.
The Brumbies had one last chance to add to their score but the Crusaders defence again proved too much for the Brumbies to penetrate.
The Brumbies will need to regroup before heading to Invercargill to face the Highlanders next week.
[one_third last=”no”]
The Game Changer
The game was all but over by half time with the Crusaders out to a 26-7 lead.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Could have picked any of the Crusaders starting side with many of them putting a decent shout but Matt Todd gets the nod with his presence around the breakdown reminiscent of previous Crusaders players wearing seven red.
[/one_third]
[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
Joe Tomane made a number of breaks down the flanks before coming off injured and one of few shining lights for the Brumbies in a tough game for any of the Wallabies contingent to stand out in a well beaten side.
[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]BRUMBIES 14
Tries: Coleman, Tomane
Conversions: Lealiifano 2
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]CRUSADERS 40
Tries: Nadolo, Macilai-Tori, Dagg, Taylor 2, McKenzie
Conversions: Mo’unga 4, McKenzie
[/one_half]
Cards
Nil
Crowd
16,418
