The Canterbury Crusaders cemented their big lead at the top of the Super 14 standings with a hard-fought 20-13 victory over New Zealand rivals the Wellington Hurricanes yesterday.
The Hurricanes had won their previous four matches but could not match the composure of Robbie Deans' Crusaders -- who came into the match with an eight-point lead in the competition -- in a match packed with All Blacks on both sides.
The Crusaders' pack had the better of the scrums and breakdowns and their resolute defense combined with the Hurricanes' occasional tactical and handling errors ensured the two-tries-to-one win.
The Crusaders showed they meant business from the start, turning over Hurricanes possession from the kick-off.
After just two minutes Crusaders' hooker Corey Flynn pounced on a loose ball at the breakdown to touch down for a try converted by Carter.
Throughout the spell, the Hurricanes gave up vital turnovers and lacked the disciplined build-up of their opponents.
The Christchurch-based team struck again through a Carter penalty midway through the half and scored another try through former Auckland Blues lock Ali Williams after 33 minutes.
Attacking down the left flank, No. 8 Mose Tuiali'i cleverly grubber-kicked back infield, the ball bobbling away from defender Rodney So'oialo and into Williams' arms for an easy try.
Both sides exchanged penalties early in the second spell but for most of the half the Hurricanes could not capitalize on a lion's share of possession and territory.
That changed after the departure of Daniel Carter with a leg injury and the sinbinning of Tuiali'i in the 66th minute for persistent infringements at the breakdown.
The home team capitalized soon after when the pack drove over the tryline from a lineout, with hooker Andrew Hore claiming the try.
But another missed penalty attempt by Gopperth and a couple of dropped balls eased the pressure as the Crusaders hung on for victory.
■ CHEETAHS LOSE AGAIN
AP, SYDNEY
The New South Wales Waratahs led 20-7 at half-time but needed a late penalty to clinch a 23-19 win over the Cheetahs in Super 14 yesterday, keeping the South African side winless after seven rounds.
Kurtley Beale opened the scoring for the Waratahs with a 17th minute penalty goal.
The Australian side scored their first try in the 22nd minute. Phil Waugh intercepted a pass from Cheetahs five-eighth Jacques-Louis Potgieter and quickly shuffled the ball on to Lachie Turner on the left wing, who touched down under the posts.
Beale's conversion made it 10-0 but the Cheetahs came back with a try in the corner to lock David de Villiers, which Meyer Bosman converted from the sideline.
Flanker Rocky Elsom restored the Waratahs' 10-point lead when he beat several defenders to score in the 30th minute. Beale added the conversion plus a penalty in the 37th minute.
Jongi Nokwe and Flip Van Der Merwe scored second-half tries to help pull the score to 20-19 before Beale's penalty clinched the match.
"It was a game we thought we could win, so it's very disappointing to lose another one," Cheetahs captain Rory Duncan said.
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