Crusaders crush wounded Brumbies
Crusaders crush wounded Brumbies - Rugby - Fox Sports
Crusaders crush wounded Brumbies
By David Beniuk
February 15, 2008
THE Brumbies' post-George Gregan and Stephen Larkham era began with a nightmare when they were outmuscled by the Crusaders 34-3 at a waterlogged AMI Stadium in Christchurch.
Adding to the crushing four-tries-to-nil loss was what looked to be a serious ankle injury to Australia star Adam Ashley-Cooper, who was assisted from the field in distress in just the 28th minute.
Possession and territory massively favoured the home side on the back of a dominant scrum, a smart kicking game from five-eighth Daniel Carter and some patient second-half forward play.
But the Brumbies let themselves down with kicks out on the full and blew the few opportunities they did create with poor handling.
Up 10-3 at halftime after the desperate Brumbies had repelled several attacking raids, Crusaders coach Robbie Deans' instruction to revert to wet weather football paid off almost immediately when his side put together 17 phases before No.8 Mose Tuiali'i crashed over for his second try to extend the advantage to 17-3.
Former Brisbane Bronco Brad Thorn put the result beyond doubt when he stormed from the back of a maul in the 70th minute to extend the lead to 27-3.
And Carter, who also booted four conversions and two penalties, finished off some good work from classy fullback Leon MacDonald and ensured a bonus point win moments before the fulltime siren.
The Brumbies had lost both centres to injury by halftime, with former Wallaby tourist Gene Fairbanks unable to take part in the second half.
Some scrambling defence from the Canberrans - and poor execution from the Crusaders - had kept the visitors in it early and a magnificent 43m penalty kick from Julian Huxley locked the scores at 3-3 in the 16th minute.
The Crusaders finally got over the line in the 32nd minute when good lead-up work from fullback MacDonald culminated in Tuiali'i crashing over in the right corner.
Carter's sideline conversion made it 10-3.
The halftime score might have been closer but for the Brumbies' poor handling on the few occasions they did get into position to mount attacking raids.
A Josh Holmes fumble in the 25th minute caused a promising move to break down and Mark Gerrard dropped the ball with the line wide open on the stroke of halftime.
AAP