The Crusaders put an under-strength Rebels side to the sword, scoring 13 tries on the way to a 85 – 26 win at AMI Stadium.
Even before the match started, the Rebels were facing an uphill battle. A large injury list forced seven changes to the side that were defeated by the Stormers.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders had the luxury of resting players, with Kieran Reed sitting this one out. Last week’s loss to the Chiefs would no doubt make them hungry for a win against the Rebels, and pour further misery on the Australian sides.
Last time the two teams met at AMI stadium, the Rebels made history by scoring their first overseas win. Would history be in their side again, or would the losing trend of aussie team continue over in New Zealand?
Cue Mission Impossible Music…
The Match
First Half
The first Try was scored by Same Whitelock after two minutes. Jimmy Tupou charged down a clearing kick, and the 100 game veteran Whitelock was there to scoop up the loose ball and fall over the line. The conversion moved the score to 7- 0 to the Crusaders.
The next was scored by Ryan Crotty. In a pattern repeated all game, the Rebels lost the ball at the breakdown. Crotty was in the right position to capitalise, running unopposed to the try line. The converted try moved the score to 14 – 0.
Ryan Crotty – this guy had a top first half, with two Tries.
In a big blow for the Rebels backline, the night ended early for Mike Harris. He left the field after eight minutes.
Two minutes later, the Crusaders were over again. Scott Barrett stole the ball at the breakdown, passed to Nadolo, who passed back to Barrett for the short run to the line. Anther successful conversion and the score was now 21 – 0 to the Crusaders.
Another Crusaders Try wasn’t far away, this time to Alex Hodgman. Ryan Crotty found the Rebels backline napping. He found a big gap , and mad the successful offload to Hodgman. After 19 minutes, the score was 28 – 0 Crusaders.
The pain didn’t stop there; two more tries to the Crusaders, scored by Nadolo (19) and McNicol (27) bumped the score up to 33-0 to the Crusaders. Both of these Tries were not the result of anything fancy, rather simple movement through the hands, that was executed perfectly. This is what the Crusaders, and also the other NZ teams, are just so damn good at executing. Keep it simple, score the points.
The 35th minute finally brought some joy to Rebels fans. Super Sefa started deep in his 22, broke the line, dodged a tackle, and ran 40 metres. He found Stirzaker, who scooted to score under the posts. The converted try moved the score to 33 – 7 to the Crusaders.
Super Sefa – one of very few highlights for the Rebels.
That brief comeback was once again stymied by some poor handling by the Rebels. in the shadows of half-time, The Crusaders managed to score one more, this time to Crotty. He managed to find a hole close to the Rebels line, crashing over against flimsye defence. The conversion moved the score to 45 – 7 to the Crusaders at half-time.
Second Half
The second half was more of the same from the Crusaders. Two Tries to Codie Taylor (43 and 46) and Peter Samu (50) heaped more pain on the Rebels. With conversions, the core moved to 64 – 7 to the Crusaders.
In one of the few highlights, Reece Hodge scored a brilliant individual try in the 52nd minute. At the end of a wide pass, he chipped of McNicol’s head, scooped up the lucky bounce, and crashed over. All this was done with an injured shoulder. Debreczei missed the covers, leaving the score at 64 – 12 to the Crusaders.
One small celebration for the night was the first cap to Rob Leota. He subbed on in the 53rd minute, putting in some good work. He certainly didn’t look out of place in a Rebels jersey.
The Rebels looked better n the second half, and for a while had the Crusaders pack under pressure. However, another turnover allowed Peter Samu to pounce on a loose ball and run 80 metres. He passed to the supporting McNicol, who scored under the posts. The converted Try moved the score to 71 – 12 to the Crusaders.
Matt Todd was rewarded for this man-of-the-match effort with a Try of his own. He fished off a good line break and run with a converted Try under the posts. Scores 78 – 12 after 64 minutes.
Man of the Match, Matt Todd.
Once again the Rebels camped on the Crusaders line, applying good pressure. It finally paid off, with Culum Retallick scoring a well-earned try. Debreczei converted, moving the score to 78 – 19 to the Crusaders.
A poor clearing kick from the Crusaders was kept in by Paul Asquith, who danced on the line and swung the ball in-field. The ball made it out to Naivalu, who with the support of Tuipulotu, scored another Try in the corner. Debreczei added the extra two, moving the score to 78 – 26 to the Crusaders.
In the dying minutes of the Game, the Crusaders had one more raid to go. The pressure paid off with a converted try to McNicol.
Final scores: 85 – 26 to the Crusaders.
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The Game Changer
The first two minutes of the match. It basically summed up the rebels night.
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[one_third last=”no”]
The G&GR MOTM
Matt Todd had a fabulous match for the Crusaders. He was responsible for most of the turnover ball,and scored a Try of his own. You could give it to any of the Crusaders, they were just clinical tonight.
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[one_third last=”yes”]
Wallaby Watch
I don’t think Cheika would have watched the full 80 minutes, so probably no real changes for a Wallaby call-up. Naivalu’s speed and Hodge’s chip might get some interest, but that’s about it.
[/one_third]
The Details
Score & Scorers
[one_half last=”no”]Crusaders 85
Tries: S. Whitelock (2),R. Crotty (5), S. Barrett (10), A. Hodgman (15),N. Nadolo (21),J. McNicholl (28),R. Crotty (40),C. Taylor (43),C. Taylor (46), P. Samu (50), J. McNicholl (63),M. Todd (64),J. McNicholl (80)
Conversions: R. Mo’unga (3),R. Mo’unga (6),R. Mo’unga (12),R. Mo’unga (15),R. Mo’unga (44),R. Mo’unga (47),R. Mo’unga (51),N. Nadolo (64),N. Nadolo (65),N. Nadolo (80)
Penalties: None
[/one_half]
[one_half last=”yes”]Rebels 26
Tries: N. Stirzaker (36),R. Hodge (52),C. Retallick (71),S. Naivalu (78)
Conversions: J. Debreczeni (36), J. Debreczeni (72), J. Debreczeni (79)
Penalties: None
[/one_half]
Cards
None.
