The Canterbury Crusaders ran in six tries as they put a disappointing ACT Brumbies to the sword in their Super Rugby clash in Canberra yesterday.
After scoring four tries in the first half, the Crusaders crossed for two more in the second to win 40-14 and send an ominous warning to the rest of the competition.
The bonus point win means the Crusaders move to second place overall on the Super Rugby table, one point behind leaders the Waikato Chiefs.
Photo: EPA
However, the Brumbies have now conceded the lead in the Australian conference to southern neighbors the Melbourne Rebels.
“Not too many things went wrong for us today,” Crusaders captain Kieran Read said. “I’m so proud of the boys. They really stood up tonight.”
Read said he was pleased with the Crusaders’ defensive efforts, which led to a host of turnover ball.
“We were able to put a lot of pressure on them, and get some rewards on them in terms of territory and then obviously capitalize,” he said.
The Crusaders were superior in all areas against the Canberra-based side.
Their forwards were stronger and more committed at the breakdown, while the backs dominated their ACT Brumbies rivals in defense and attack.
Giant winger Nemani Nadolo was almost unstoppable in the first half, opening the scoring when he steamrolled his way over after just five minutes.
The Brumbies struck back with a try by Robbie Coleman on the 10-minute mark, but the Crusaders were in again three minutes later when Jone Macilai touched down after tireless flanker Matt Todd stole the ball at the breakdown and gave his winger a clear run to the line.
All Black fullback Israel Dagg and hooker Codie Taylor added two more tries to effectively put the game out of the Brumbies’ reach by halftime.
The hosts were briefly back in the contest when winger Joe Tomane scored in the corner six minutes after the restart, but Taylor added his second try to put the lead back out to 19 points, before replacement flyhalf Marty McKenzie strolled over under the posts to complete the scoring.
The Crusaders have a bye next weekend, but the Brumbies must now travel to New Zealand to take on the Highlanders in Dunedin.
“That was very disappointing,” Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said. “There were a couple of turnovers that were very costly. We gave them a good lead and couldn’t peg them back.”
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