All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter responded to the challenge from young pretenders Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett to guide the Canterbury Crusaders to a 40-12 victory over the 14-man Otago Highlanders in their Super Rugby match in Dunedin yesterday.
Carter slotted 20 points with the boot, scored a try and set up the other three as the seven-time champions ensured they remained in the hunt for the playoffs with the victory.
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They moved to 51 points and established a gap over the seventh-placed New South Wales Waratahs (44), who have played an extra match. The Cheetahs are in sixth on 46 points but were due to play later yesterday.
The feisty game was punctuated with several off the ball incidents while Highlanders flanker Jarrad Hoeata was sinbinned by referee Steve Walsh in the first half for illegal play and Highlanders’ center Ma’a Nonu sent off in the second for a dangerous tackle.
Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn was also sinbinned for a head-high tackle, almost immediately after Nonu was red carded.
The first half was a tight tussle with the Highlanders’ points coming from a converted Ben Smith try after Tamati Ellison had produced a behind the back offload.
BURST
Carter slotted two penalties, the second on the stroke of halftime to give the visitors a 13-7 lead at the break, and also converted George Whitelock’s try, which he had set up with a powerful burst past Fumiaki Tanaka and Smith.
He also sparked Ellis’ try early in the second half when he drifted across the defense, accelerated and put Tom Marshall into a gap before the winger fed Ellis.
The Highlanders appeared to be getting back into the match when Hosea Gear, playing his 100th Super Rugby match, scored in the corner, but Nonu was sent off shortly after and they lost much of their impetus.
Carter slotted two penalties then scored his try, which he converted. He then seized the opportunity on his own tryline to spin the ball wide to replacement winger Telusa Veainu, who went the length of the field to secure the bonus point fourth try in the final minute.
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