There was a period around 2011 when the Crusaders were our bunnies but no more. For a few years it’s been one way traffic for the Crusaders and the Reds have been barely a speed hump. And today should be no different. Which leaves me in a great place where I can just simple enjoy the rugby and not worry about a win. Unless we’re in with a sniff and then I’m stuffed.
The Match
Things went pretty much to script in the first ten minutes. Campbell Magnay coughed up the ball from the kick off and the Crusaders switched immediately into their attack patterns. Moments later they had a scrum feed deep in Reds territory and simple hands and a beautiful drift out from Dagg put Jone Macilai away on the left wing. McIntyre kicked out on the full and the Crusaders fed a scrum on half way. Dagg once again threw the last pass to Macilai and eight minutes in the Crusaders had scored two great looking tries and were leading 14-0.
For the next 20 minutes the Reds had the majority of the possession and tried their best to crack the Crusaders solid defence but without Samu Kerevi the Reds had no one to break the line and the crusaders sat back and picked off the Reds players easily. Eventually Nick Frisby tried a kick which Israel Dagg fielded easily and from there the Crusaders worked their way into the Reds half and once there it seemed like it was only a matter of time before they scored. And score they did when Scott Barrett (yes another Barrett!) scored with five to go. It was 21-0 nill at half time and could have easily have been more.
Second half
Rinse and repeat. That pretty much sums up the match. The crusaders scored three well worked tries to Scott Barret, Jordan Taufua and Jone Macilai. The Reds managed one well worked try to Campbell Magnay off a chip and chase but Jake McIntyre’s conversion from in front was inexcusable charged down. The final score was 38-5
Random Thoughts
Andrew Mehrtens is fast becoming my favourite commentator.
Jake McIntyre’s is holding on to his position by a thread. Too deep, too easily read.
The Reds ran at the tackler all night. The Crusaders ran between tacklers all night. You can put any Ausie team in the first position and an Kiwi team in the second position.
Curtis Browning straightened and put Magnay in space. Magnay drifted towards the sideline trying to beat a defender on the outside but still drew two defenders but failed to pass to an open Simmons on the wing with five metres, instead of 15, to work with.
I can’t think of one line break from the Reds backs.
Nick Frisby ended the game at wing or out centre and looked like the best outside back all night.
Chris F-Sautia? Where was his head?
Jone Macilai was robbed of his forth try by the ref. Double movement my arse.
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The Game Changer
The refs whistle to start the match. The Reds were never in this.
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The G&GR MOTM
Jone Macilai was a strong candidate and would thoroughlydeserve the award but I’m giving it to the guy who threw the lastpass for two of his tries. Israel Dagg is the GAGR MOTM
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Wallaby watch
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The Details
Crowd:
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Crusaders: 38
Tries: Jone Macilai 3, Scott Barrett, Jordan Taufau, Cody Tayler
Conversions: Ritchie Mo’unga 3/4, Marty Mckenzie 1/2
Penalties:[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Reds: 5
Tries: Campbell Magnay
Conversions: Jake McIntyre 0/1,
Penalties: Jake McIntyre 0/1 [/one_half]
Cards & citings
None
