Ruthless Crusaders crush Fijian Drua
SUPER RUGBY REPORT: The Crusaders have put their Super Rugby Pacific rivals on notice with a ruthless win over the Fijian Drua to strengthen their hold on second place.
The 61-3 win in Christchurch on Friday went as forecast, their nine unanswered tries against the newcomers a handy margin boost as they fight with the Brumbies for second spot.
The sides began the penultimate round equal on points, the 9-3 Crusaders with one less victory but boasting seven valuable bonus points and victory over the Brumbies last weekend.
The Brumbies must now beat the first-placed Blues in Canberra on Sunday to keep pace, a loss all-but confirming a third-place finish.
That would set up a quarterfinal against the sixth-placed team, which will be either the Waratahs, who are sixth on 33 points or the Queensland Reds who are seventh on 31.
"Since the Waratahs game [that they lost] and even the Blues we've dug deep, looked at ourselves, our game and started to build on the foundation of Crusaders rugby," captain Scott Barrett said.
"You never forget those sorts of games. The Force, we bounced back and had a challenge last week against the Brumbies and tonight was much tougher than the scoreline suggests."
The Drua managed to link phases together with relative comfort, but couldn't make inroads against the well-drilled host's defence.
And their turnovers were punished, the Crusaders cruising with four first-half tries including a competition-high 10th for Leicester Fainga'anuku in the second minute.
Flank Tom Christie and Fijian-born All Blacks star Sevu Reece bagged doubles while Fergus Burke, at No.10 in place of the rested Richie Mo'unga, scored a try and kicked all but one conversion.
The Drua, based predominantly in northern NSW in their debut season, finish a campaign next weekend that's yielded two wins against the Chiefs while the Crusaders host the Reds.
"Definitely not our night, but the main thing is to learn from this against a champion side like the Crusaders," Drua captain Nemani Nagusa said.
"You miss a couple of opportunities and you pay for that. But we'll finish off against the Chiefs and come back stronger next year."
The scorers:
For Crusaders:
Tries: Fainga’anuku, Christie 2, Whitelock, Reece 2, Burke, Bridge, Ennor
Cons: Burke 8
For Fijian Drua:
Pen: Tela
Yellow card: Selestino Ravutaumada (Fijian Drua, 70')
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Chay Fihaki, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Fergus Burke, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Ethan Blackadder, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Scott Barrett (captain), 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Zach Gallagher, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Ricky Jackson, 1 Finlay Brewis.
Replacements: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Dominic Gardiner, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Mitch Drummond, 22 Simon Hickey, 23 George Bridge.
Fijian Drua: 15 Kitione Taliga, 14 Selestino Ravutaumada, 13 Kalaveti Ravouvou, 12 Teti Tela, 11 Vinaya Habosi, 10 Caleb Muntz, 9 Peni Matawalu, 8 Nemani Nagusa (captain), 7 Mesulame Dolokoto, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Ratu Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Zuriel Togiatama, 1 Kaliopasi Uluilakepa.
Replacements: 16 Tevita Ikanivere, 17 Haereiti Hetet, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Chris Minimbi, 20 Raikabula Momoedonu, 21 Leone Nawai, 22 Ilaisa Droasese, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre.
Referee: Angus Mabey
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill & Jono Bredin
TMO: Glenn Newman