Lee Grant
John Eales (66)
Saturday, 24 January 2009 9:00am
Chris Pike - Sportal
Fans turned out in force for the pre-season clash
The Emirates Western Force kicked off its pre-season campaign with a close but encouraging loss to the defending champion Crusaders, who prevailed 24-19 at a sold out Members Equity Stadium on Friday night.
The home side was without Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor and Scott Staniforth but showed no signs of the drama that has surrounded Coach John Mitchell by scoring three tries in an encouraging display despite the loss.
In a game that was played in three 30-minute periods with both teams using 28 players, the WA side led 19-5 during the second term, but the Crusaders hit back to lead by 24-19 and win with that score.
The game was held at Members Equity Stadium and the fans spoke with their feet by packing out the ground. Over 17,000 turned up for the game, which is double the average Perth Glory A-League crowd.
New Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder didn?t have his top team available either, with All Blacks Richie McCraw, Corey Flynn, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Ben Franks and Ross Filipo with the squad but not playing, and Stephen Brett, Sean Maitland and Kahn Fotuali'i out injured.
The Emirates Western Force's pre-season campaign could not have got off to a worse start with the Crusaders scoring a try almost immediately after possession from the opening whistle. George Whitelock got right through the Force defence after a long lineout throw.
The Force were rewarded with a penalty try after dominating possession after conceding that try. It was awarded when Drew Mitchell was obstructed in the try zone when trying to catch a high ball.
The Force continued to dominate and broke through the Crusaders defence once again, this time with inside centre Josh Tatupu going on a good run to cross for a try. Scott Daruda again converted to make the score 12-5.
Cameron Shepherd came on for the second period in his first run since badly breaking his leg playing for the Wallabies last winter. It was also Nick Cummins' first game since breaking his ankle at the end of the 2008 Super 14 season.
It only took three minutes for the home team to score another try with a tremendous rolling maul, in which Luke Holmes got the ball down to make the margin 12. The score went to 19-5 when Daruda converted.
After 42 minutes elapsed since its first try of the game, the Crusaders' continued attack on the try line paid off when Whitelock crossed for his and the team's second try. Slade converted to bring the margin back to seven.
The Crusaders soon changed over virtually its whole side after the starting 15 had played 47 minutes. One player who did stay on was Jared Payne and he crossed for a good try just before the end of the second period to make the margin just two.
The Crusaders hit the front early in the third and final period when inside centre Kade Poki found space and crossed for his team's fourth try. When Hamish Gard converted the defending champions led 24-19. That is how the score stayed despite some exciting and enterprising rugby late in the game.
The Emirates Western Force's final trial match will be against the Reds at Ballymore on February 5 before starting the Super 14 season on Friday, February 13 at Subiaco Oval against the Blues. The Crusaders' first game is also at home against the Chiefs the following day.
Chris Pike - Sportal
Fans turned out in force for the pre-season clash
The Emirates Western Force kicked off its pre-season campaign with a close but encouraging loss to the defending champion Crusaders, who prevailed 24-19 at a sold out Members Equity Stadium on Friday night.
The home side was without Matt Giteau, Nathan Sharpe, Ryan Cross, James O'Connor and Scott Staniforth but showed no signs of the drama that has surrounded Coach John Mitchell by scoring three tries in an encouraging display despite the loss.
In a game that was played in three 30-minute periods with both teams using 28 players, the WA side led 19-5 during the second term, but the Crusaders hit back to lead by 24-19 and win with that score.
The game was held at Members Equity Stadium and the fans spoke with their feet by packing out the ground. Over 17,000 turned up for the game, which is double the average Perth Glory A-League crowd.
New Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder didn?t have his top team available either, with All Blacks Richie McCraw, Corey Flynn, Brad Thorn, Kieran Read, Ben Franks and Ross Filipo with the squad but not playing, and Stephen Brett, Sean Maitland and Kahn Fotuali'i out injured.
The Emirates Western Force's pre-season campaign could not have got off to a worse start with the Crusaders scoring a try almost immediately after possession from the opening whistle. George Whitelock got right through the Force defence after a long lineout throw.
The Force were rewarded with a penalty try after dominating possession after conceding that try. It was awarded when Drew Mitchell was obstructed in the try zone when trying to catch a high ball.
The Force continued to dominate and broke through the Crusaders defence once again, this time with inside centre Josh Tatupu going on a good run to cross for a try. Scott Daruda again converted to make the score 12-5.
Cameron Shepherd came on for the second period in his first run since badly breaking his leg playing for the Wallabies last winter. It was also Nick Cummins' first game since breaking his ankle at the end of the 2008 Super 14 season.
It only took three minutes for the home team to score another try with a tremendous rolling maul, in which Luke Holmes got the ball down to make the margin 12. The score went to 19-5 when Daruda converted.
After 42 minutes elapsed since its first try of the game, the Crusaders' continued attack on the try line paid off when Whitelock crossed for his and the team's second try. Slade converted to bring the margin back to seven.
The Crusaders soon changed over virtually its whole side after the starting 15 had played 47 minutes. One player who did stay on was Jared Payne and he crossed for a good try just before the end of the second period to make the margin just two.
The Crusaders hit the front early in the third and final period when inside centre Kade Poki found space and crossed for his team's fourth try. When Hamish Gard converted the defending champions led 24-19. That is how the score stayed despite some exciting and enterprising rugby late in the game.
The Emirates Western Force's final trial match will be against the Reds at Ballymore on February 5 before starting the Super 14 season on Friday, February 13 at Subiaco Oval against the Blues. The Crusaders' first game is also at home against the Chiefs the following day.
