Match Details
| Crusaders (NZ) |
VS |
Brumbies |
|
34 |
Kick off times:
7:35pm
(Local) Fri 15 Feb
5:35pm
(AEDT) Fri 15 Feb
|
3 |
|
The Brumbies are counting the cost of their 34-3 loss to the Crusaders in their Investec Super 14 Week One clash at AMI Stadium with Gene Fairbanks and Adam Ashley-Cooper forced off field with injury tonight.
Fairbanks (shoulder) and Ashley-Cooper (ankle) left the field midway through the first half with Robbie Deans’ Crusaders going on to take the match four tries to none and claim a bonus point.
In the absence of Test teammates, Stirling Mortlock, Mark Chisholm and Clyde Rathbone, Brumbies flanker George Smith led from the front with a trademark high-involvement performance.
Both sides were guilty of countless handling errors and turnovers as a result of the soaked AMI Stadium pitch with players struggling with the greasy ball and unstable footing throughout the match.
The visitors created two try-scoring opportunities in the first term with Edmonds initialising the first with a 40-metres bust before Tyrone Smith showed excellent footwork before fearlessly regathering his own short kick on half time only to have both chances denied by a spilt last pass with the try line in sight.
The Crusaders rampaging No.8 Mose Tuiali’i compounded the errors by charging through for his first of two tries for a 10-3 lead at the break.
Deprived of possession for long periods throughout the match, the Brumbies were forced to rely on their strong scrambling defence to stay in the match during the early stages of the second term. Fullback Julian Huxley and Holmes combined in an outstanding last-ditch effort on opposing lock Ali Williams with Television Match Official Kade McBride eventually confirming the pair had knocked the ball free in the tackle.
Unfortunately the ‘no try’ only momentarily prevented a last quarter flow of points with Tuiali’i and Thorn crossing for tries while Carter kept the score ticking over throughout the match with four conversions, two penalties and a full-time try of his own.
The Brumbies now return to Australia and next play the Highlanders at Canberra Stadium on 23 February.
MATCH DETAILS(Mose Tuiali’i 2; Brad Thorn, Daniel Carter tries; Daniel Carter 4 conversions, 2 penalty goals) defeated Brumbies 3 (Julian Huxley penalty goal) at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
Crusaders 34
Referee: Mark Lawrence (RSA)
Half time: Crusaders 10-3
Crowd: 16,500
