Crusaders cruise to victory over Drua

Sat, Jun 10, 2023, 8:45 AM
AW
by AFP and Nathan Williamson

The Crusaders have cruised to a 49-8 victory over the Fijian Drua in Christchurch.

It was built by a dominant performance from their forward pack, who scored the first five tries of the match.

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Hooker Codie Taylor scored twice as they took a 21-0 lead after just 16 minutes.

The Drua, in their first finals game, tried to get back into the contest as Selestino Ravutaumada snatched an intercept before the break.

However, it was all the Crusaders as they book their place in the semis against the Blues, a rematch of last year's final.

A Crusaders side chasing a seventh-successive title under Scott Robertson ensured there would be no repeat of their round three defeat, scoring the first three of their seven tries inside the opening 14 minutes.

It was exactly the start captain Scott Barrett had asked for.

"The Fijian Drua boys got one over us earlier in the season but I think we played our pressure game," Barrett said.

"We started really well, we didn't really give them a sniff until late in the first half."

Hooker Cody Taylor crossed twice against an outclassed Drua, who were making history as the first Pacific-Island-based side to contest a Super Rugby knockout match.

Winger Selestino Ravutaumada scored from an intercept late in the first half but could not match a Crusaders side whose night was only spoiled by more potential injury problems.

Of concern was All Blacks flyhalf Richie Mo'unga limping from the field in the closing stages with a leg complaint.

Ethan Blackadder and Zach Gallagher also limped off the field, leaving the Crusaders to finish the game with 14.

It didn't stop the Crusaders' momentum, with Will Jordan and Willi Heinz scoring late.

CRUSADERS 49

TRIES: Jager, Taylor 2, Havili Talitui, Barrett, Jordan, Heinz

CONS: Mo'unga 6/6, Burke 1/1

DRUA 8

TRIES: Ravutaumada

CONS: Lomani 0/1

PENS: Lomani 1/1

CRUSADERS v FIJIAN DRUA TEAMS

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Will Jordan

RESERVES: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O'Neill, Zack Gallagher, Ethan Blackadder, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

DRUA (1-15): Haereiti Hetet, Tevita Ikanivere, Mesake Doge, Isoa Nasilasila, Te Ahirwau Cirikidaveta, Vilive Miramira, Motikiai Murray, Meli Derenalagi (c), Frank Lomani, Caleb Muntz, Kalaveti Ravouvou, Teti Tela, Iosefo Masi, Selestino Ravutaumada, Ilaisa Droasese

RESERVES: Zuriel Togiatama, Meli Tuni, Samuela Tawake, Etonia Waqa, Elia Canakaivata, Peni Matawalu, Michael Naitokani, Eroni Sau

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant Referees: Damon Murphy, Matt Kellahan

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