The Crusaders have beaten the Waratahs 48-33 at Allianz Stadium, to secure second spot on the Super Rugby Pacific Ladder and lock in their position in the finals.
The Crusaders started the game off strong, scoring the first three tries in under 16 minutes.
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The first try of the game was scored by Johnny McNicholl. Rivez Reihana created a break for McNicholl, who was passed the ball and made a run for the tryline.
Braydon Ennor, later, intercepted a Waratahs pass from Triston Reilly and had a clean breakthrough, running from halfway to score to extend the lead.
Langi Gleeson managed to score the Waratahs first try, on his second attempt at scoring.
22 minutes into the game, Gleeson was denied a try, as the refs were unable to find clear evidence to overrule the on-field decision of ‘no try, but couldn’t be denied minutes later.
However, Cullen Grace scored at the 41 minute mark, leaving the Crusaders in the lead, 31-7, at halftime.
Midway through the second half, Sevu Reece scored, not only solidifying the Crusaders lead, but also putting him in equal first, with TJ Perenara, for the all time record for tries in Super Rugby, with 65 tries over his Super Rugby career.
Rivez Reihana made a breakthrough and passed to Reece, who sprinted from halfway, dodged a tackle from Kellaway, and crossed the tryline.
The Crusaders appear to be utilising their kicking game more in the second half, as Reece was passed the ball by James O’Connor, made a run but before being tackled, kicked the ball, that was picked up by Tom Christie who scored.
In a last-minute dash, Reilly scored after receiving the ball from Joey Walton.
This try resulted in the Crusaders denied a bonus point, prohibiting them from taking the top spot on the ladder.
The loss means that the Waratahs have missed their opportunity to play in the finals this season.
This means that the team has two more games this season to impress against the Western Force and Blues away from home.
Tries: McNicholl, Ennor, Moananu, Fihaki, Grace, Reece, Christie
Cons: Reihana 3/5, O'Connor 2/2
Pens: O'Connor 1/1
Tries: Gleeson 2, Amatosero, Lancaster, Reilly
Cons: Edmed 3/3, Bowen 1/2
WARATAHS (1-15): Angus Bell, Dave Porecki, Daniel Botha, Fergus Lee-Warner, Miles Amatosero, Rob Leota, Charlie Gamble, Langi Gleeson, Jake Gordon (c), Tane Edmed, Darby Lancaster, Joey Walton, Henry O'Donnell, Triston Reilly, Andrew Kellaway
Replacements: Mahe Vailanu, Tom Lambert, Taniela Tupou, Ben Grant, Hugh Sinclair, Teddy Wilson, Jack Bowen, Lalakai Foketi
CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Ioane Moananu, Kershawl Skyes-Martin, Quinten Strange, Antonio Shalfoon, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Rivez Reihana, Sevu Reece, David Havili (c), Braydon Ennor, Chay Fihaki, Johnny McNicholl
Replacements: George Bell, George Bower, Seb Calder, Tahlor Cahill, Corey Kellow, Kyle Preston, James O'Connor, Dallas McLeod
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant Referees: Angus Mabey, Mike Winter
TMO: Richard Kelly
