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Crusaders beat Western Force but jeopardise place in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final
The Western Force have put a major dent in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title hopes, unable to land the killer blow but still denying the heavyweights a bonus point in a 29-21 loss in Christchurch.
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After going down 29-14 early in the second half, the Force dominated field position and possession against the formidable Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.
Reduced to 14 men thanks to a late injury to replacement Tim Anstee, the Force finally cracked the line with the final play of the game when captain Kyle Godwin’s long-range kick was chased down by Jordan Olowofela.
It caught the Crusaders napping and took away a bonus point that could be the difference between high-flying New Zealand teams in a tournament that features a stand-alone final.
Toni Pulu scored a brilliant try in just the second minute, stepping inside and beating three defenders as the Force’s pursuit of a first win in Christchurch started well.
But the winger, a smoky for a Wallab ies Test cap next month, was helped from the field with an apparent ankle injury just before halftime.
The Crusaders were without rested quartet Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock, Sevu Reece and George Bower at Orangetheory Stadium.
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Still, they looked to have wrestled back momentum with two tries in response to Pulu’s early effort before Ollie Callan crossed in his starting debut in the No.8 jersey.
Crusaders fullback Will Jordan was denied a try-scoring treble, strangely because of a Force error when Jake Strachan stepped on the sideline before he threw a pass that teammate Domingo Miotti knocked on.
It was all the Force after that, denied a brilliant try when Richard Kahui’s tap-on pass was deemed forward and Godwin held up over the line.
That was as close as they got until the final minute though, the Force now boasting three losses by 10 points or less from their four Trans-Tasman clashes so far.
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Crusaders 29 (Tries to Manasa Mataele, Will Jordan (2), Whetukamokamo Douglas and Sione Havili Talitui; 2 conversions to Fergus Burke)
Western Force 21 (Tries to Toni Pulu, Ollie Calln and Jordan Olowofela; 2 conversion to Domingo Miotti, conversion to Ian Prior)
Comments on RugbyPass
The value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
3 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
10 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
51 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
10 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
51 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
3 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
51 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
51 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
51 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
51 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
17 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
17 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
51 Go to commentsTamati Williams, Codie Taylor, and Same Cane? Not sure about Hoskins Sotutu at test level. Wasn’t that impressive last season. Need a balance between experience and talent/youth.
51 Go to commentsInteresting insight. Fantastic athlete, and a genuine human being.
17 Go to commentsThey played at night in Suva last weekend and it’s an afternoon game forecast for 19 degrees in Canberra this weekend. Heat change is a non issue.
2 Go to commentsWishing Rosie a speedy recovery
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