A SAM CANE try two minutes from time ensured a 27-21 win to the Waikato Chiefs over the Canterbury Crusaders in a high-tempo New Zealand derby in Christchurch on Saturday.
The lead changed six times in the match, with the Crusaders leading 21-15 before the Chiefs finished strongest and notched up 12 points in the final 15 minutes.
The visitors had trailed 8-13 at half-time but had always looked dangerous with Aaron Cruden orchestrating a rapid running game which repeatedly stretched the Crusaders defence.
The Crusaders feasted off the power of their forwards and a preference for a kicking game, with new face Richie Mo’unga and and old-hand Andy Ellis finding space behind the Chiefs defences.
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As the Crusaders start a new era without Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, and with McCaw’s All Blacks’ understudy Cane leading the Chiefs, the Crusaders went into their opening match with a big question mark over their prospects.
A 74-7 hiding by the Wellington Hurricanes in the pre-season did not help their reputation either.
But 21-year-old Mo’unga stepped up at fly-half, and with the comfort of riding behind a superior forward pack he capably steered the Crusaders around the park.
He scored all their first half points with two penalties and, when the Chiefs sneaked in front 8-6, Mo’unga scored and converted from a Crusaders’ tighthead when they demolished a Chiefs’ scrum.
The Chief’s first half points came from a long-range Damian McKenzie penalty and a try to Shaun Stevenson who ripped the ball off David Havili when the Crusaders fullback tried to run his way out of trouble on his own line.
The Chiefs exerted more control as soon as the second half began with Seta Tamanivalu regaining the lead, latching on to an inside pass from Tawera Kerr-Barlow and just managing to reach out to the line as he was swamped by the Crusaders defence.
A smart back-of-the-hand pass by Andy Ellis set up another Crusaders foray deep into Chiefs territory with David Havili scoring wide out. Mo’unga missed the conversion but landed a third penalty soon after to have the Crusaders six points clear before the Chiefs, looking to rediscover their championship form of 2012 and 2013, mounted a big finish.
Charlie Ngatai and Anton Lienert-Brown split the Crusaders defence to set up McKenzie for a try which he also converted and the Chiefs were again in front 22-21.
With time almost up and the Crusaders probing away at the Chiefs’ line in search of a matchwinning try they turned the ball over allowing the Chiefs to sweep down field.
From a penalty close to the line they opted for a lineout with Cane driving over to settle the outcome.
Life without Carter and McCaw starts with a loss for Crusaders
A SAM CANE try two minutes from time ensured a 27-21 win to the Waikato Chiefs over the Canterbury Crusaders in a high-tempo New Zealand derby in Christchurch on Saturday.
The lead changed six times in the match, with the Crusaders leading 21-15 before the Chiefs finished strongest and notched up 12 points in the final 15 minutes.
The visitors had trailed 8-13 at half-time but had always looked dangerous with Aaron Cruden orchestrating a rapid running game which repeatedly stretched the Crusaders defence.
The Crusaders feasted off the power of their forwards and a preference for a kicking game, with new face Richie Mo’unga and and old-hand Andy Ellis finding space behind the Chiefs defences.
As the Crusaders start a new era without Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, and with McCaw’s All Blacks’ understudy Cane leading the Chiefs, the Crusaders went into their opening match with a big question mark over their prospects.
A 74-7 hiding by the Wellington Hurricanes in the pre-season did not help their reputation either.
But 21-year-old Mo’unga stepped up at fly-half, and with the comfort of riding behind a superior forward pack he capably steered the Crusaders around the park.
He scored all their first half points with two penalties and, when the Chiefs sneaked in front 8-6, Mo’unga scored and converted from a Crusaders’ tighthead when they demolished a Chiefs’ scrum.
The Chief’s first half points came from a long-range Damian McKenzie penalty and a try to Shaun Stevenson who ripped the ball off David Havili when the Crusaders fullback tried to run his way out of trouble on his own line.
The Chiefs exerted more control as soon as the second half began with Seta Tamanivalu regaining the lead, latching on to an inside pass from Tawera Kerr-Barlow and just managing to reach out to the line as he was swamped by the Crusaders defence.
A smart back-of-the-hand pass by Andy Ellis set up another Crusaders foray deep into Chiefs territory with David Havili scoring wide out. Mo’unga missed the conversion but landed a third penalty soon after to have the Crusaders six points clear before the Chiefs, looking to rediscover their championship form of 2012 and 2013, mounted a big finish.
Charlie Ngatai and Anton Lienert-Brown split the Crusaders defence to set up McKenzie for a try which he also converted and the Chiefs were again in front 22-21.
With time almost up and the Crusaders probing away at the Chiefs’ line in search of a matchwinning try they turned the ball over allowing the Chiefs to sweep down field.
From a penalty close to the line they opted for a lineout with Cane driving over to settle the outcome.
(C) AFP 2016
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Cane is able Chiefs super 18 Crusaders