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‘Tough times ahead’: Fans react to Crusaders’ loss to the Fijian Drua
For the first time since 1996, which was the inaugural Super Rugby season, the Crusaders have started a campaign with three losses from as many starts after falling to the Fijian Drua.
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The Crusaders, who won seven Super Rugby titles in as many years under former coach Scott Robertson, are the first team to reach three losses this season as well.
Without the likes of Richie Mo’unga to steer the team around the park or Leicester Fainga’anuku to break the game open down the wing, the defending champions look a lot different.
Three different halfbacks have worn the No. 9 jersey across the opening few rounds and there has also been some rotation at fly-half between the likes of Rivez Reihana and Taha Kemara.
THE DRUA DO IT AGAIN 🤯#SuperRugbyPacific #DRUvCRU pic.twitter.com/IUBD2JMlWS
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) March 9, 2024
Under new coach Rob Penney, the Crusaders showed some fight in their opening-round defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton, but the more recent losses to the Waratahs and Drua are historic.
Fans on social media have expressed both their support and worry for their rugby heroes after Saturday afternoon’s 20-10 defeat to the Fijian Drua at Churchill Park.
“So the Drua said ‘the match is gonna be played like this’ and we had no idea which way was up,” one commenter wrote on the Crusaders’ Facebook post. “Congrats Drua, love your energy and enthusiasm (and your fans!).”
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“Only saw the 2nd half but the Drua seemed to thoroughly deserve the win,” another supporter wrote. “No complaints completely outplayed. Quite a slump we’re in now.”
“Wow!! Totally different team from last year,” a third fan wrote after full-time. Agreement for the young ones to get the experience, but at least make it competitive!!”
Tough times ahead of the Crusaders, but hPpy for the Drua
— Andre Lombaard (@Andre_Lombaard) March 9, 2024
While giving credit to the Drua, other supporters were quite optimistic about the Crusaders’ season with another fan saying: “We will rise up again.”
But only time will tell.
The Crusaders actually started quite well against the Drua with wing Sevu Reece crossing for the opening try of the afternoon in the 18th minute.
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Reece linked up with marquee recruit Levi Aumua to break through the Drua’s defensive line, before running in without too many issues to extend the visitors’ lead.
After the conversion, the Crusaders held a 10-0 advantage. But it was all the Drua from there.
Much to the delight of the home crowd, the Fijians scored 20 unanswered points as they held on for a famous win over the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions in Lautoka.
It’s their second win over the Crusaders at the Fiji venue in as many years.
“We just didn’t execute,” captain Scott Barrett said on the broadcast after the 10-point defeat.
“We had multiple opportunities down there, particularly around our lineout and we just weren’t sharp and clinical like we’d hoped.”
The Crusaders were mathematically in the fight until basically the end of the contest. It wasn’t until an Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula penalty in the 78th minute that sealed their fate.
But while they were in with a chance, the defending champions couldn’t quite get over the line as they looked to level the scores during the second term.
“We were clear on our game plan. It was pretty simple and we just didn’t execute,” Barrett added.
“Greasy ball, little opportunities and you give the Fijian Drua a sniff and they’ll really punish you.”
It doesn’t get any easier for the Crusaders. After starting their season with three defeats, the Christchurch-based franchise will host New Zealand rivals the Hurricanes next Friday.
If they don’t win that, it just gets tougher with the Crusaders set to travel north to Auckland to face the red-hot Blues in Round Five.
Comments on RugbyPass
A Turtle has more pace and leg drive than Owen Franks, so it’s a good thing he only had to run 90 metres for that try.
2 Go to commentsOh Tamati Tua was in the vastly over-rated Leon MacDonalds Blues system? Well, no wonder he was wasted, much like Emoni Narawa and Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens under MacDonald. now look at them. Good thing Tua isn’t eligible, the Aussies latch on to any player who isn’t tied down.
2 Go to commentsMark Telea is a lot of things, but a defensive juggernaut has never been one of them. There will be far bigger tests in that regard for the youngster.
10 Go to commentsLove and respect to Fiji but not a chance outside of 7s
4 Go to commentsGood summation Ned. Agree the Canes were out-muscled for once (except at the scrum!) by a focused Brumbies outfit. Tua deserves consideration for higher honors after the way he humbled Jordie and the Canes defense. Thankfully, his lack of eligibility for Oz keeps him from Joe’s plans. While I also agree the injuries affected the Canes performance, some players seemed to lack focus and intensity for this match. Perhaps after the Blues demolished the Brumbies, they thought it was going to be easy? A good reminder that any slip up in preparation can have a big affect on the result. Brumbies deserved that win.
2 Go to commentsKarl Dixon should never have been appointed this fixture, absolute disgrace, He’s not much of a referee anyway, didn't have the balls to send his mate care off
5 Go to commentsBrilliant article! Harry of 8/9
2 Go to comments‘UK athletes' have been in the NFL from the start.
1 Go to commentsIt’s going to be Scott Barrett. He’s the coaches mate and captain of a previously elite team. Ardie a great option but scooter has worked with the coach and Ardie still as big a leader as needed.
23 Go to commentsI commend Colin Scotts bio All Balls. He was the first Aussie to make it to NFL. But he was poached and did a full apprenticeship at the University of Hawaii. He was 130kgs surfed played 1st grade cricket etc. big guy by normal but not NFL standards and a top athlete. Even then the nfl were picking up Tongans and Samoans for their natural size and explosive power. They want explosive power not cardio from the big boys so a guy like Taniela Tupou would have been good if picked up young enough. He has fast twitch and they’d bulk the little lad up and give him something to do. soccer teams set up academies and look for Over Sara’s talent eg Messi was at Barcelona since a teenager and harry kewell went to Leeds as a teenager like 16 or something.
11 Go to commentsThe article alludes to the fact that this isn’t about picking a captain. But picking a great captain. So who would make for a great All Black captain - not just an obvious or safe shoo-in? I’m not sure Ardie’s the guy and Barret doesn’t stand out either.
23 Go to commentsI guess we may all agree on the fact, that the ABs and Boks are the two in contest for No 1 in rugby history (the triple-A sort of) …. the Wallabies, England and France are the next tier, with Ireland being the new kid in town (AA) …. in my view it makes little sense creating imaginary competitions (unless you have too much time to waste)
45 Go to commentsWhat a joke. Total joke and the pundits commentating, all of whom know a bit about the game, could barely disguise their contempt. Reaching for the card then pulling back when he realised a red card would carry further match suspensions is simply not his decision to make. A clear and obvious influence on the outcome of this match and indeed, the championship path.
5 Go to commentsI like the idea, in NZ the Ranfurly Shield and NPC coexist, both having their own bragging rights. The World Cup would be the pinnacle, but the competition and travels of these trophies would be interesting.
45 Go to commentsDon’t worry Sonny bill Williams leave that awkward situation about the curfew in the pass whoever it was it doesn’t matter its no big deal we back our All Blacks through the storm and the thunder until we see the Sun light again.
42 Go to commentsWho listens to this retard? He was a massive liability as a player but obviously a media sensation
42 Go to commentsI’m not surprised by such ‘virtue signalling’ by Sonny Boy. Butter wouldn’t melt in his mouth. He’s such a pious Islamic muppet, imo.
42 Go to commentsI’ve actually never heard of the guy (then I don’t watch League as it is boring). But if he is good enough.. then good luck to him. If not, well, he can always return to league.
2 Go to commentsIt is pretty clear that by almost any measure that NZ are a more successful rugby nation than South Africa. Quite aside from the distasteful events during the last RWC final. NZ lead SA in all significant measurements.
45 Go to commentsDickson went to his pocket for a card, saw who it was, changed his mind and spoke at length to TMO. One angle clearly shows Care diving over a Saints player to kill the ball. 1st yellow, reason given for not Red was player was falling backwards. He was only falling backwards after contact with Lawes. Graham try should have stood. Mitchell did not have both hands on the ball, ball went forward from a Saints boot dragging over it. 2 intentional knock-on's. One of which had an overlap on the outside. If Quins are happy to win by intentional foul play, then it does not say much for them. Would appear to be a bad day for Karl Dickson, also for the RFU in appointing a Ref who spent 8 years as a player at one of the clubs.
5 Go to comments