Vodacom Super Rugby
Crusaders humiliate Blues
2012-05-19 11:17
Christchurch - The Crusaders responded
to the verbal rocket they received from coach Todd Blackadder earlier in
the week by clinically demolishing the Blues 59-12 in their
Super Rugby match in Christchurch on Saturday.
The normally
measured Blackadder, not prone to verbal outbursts, ripped into the
seven-times champions after they lost 28-19 to the Rebels last
week and left them in no uncertain terms he expected better against the
Blues.
The Crusaders ruthlessly responded.
Hooker Corey
Flynn (twice), loose forwards Matt Todd and Richie McCaw, wings Adam
Whitelock and Zac Guildford, lock Luke Romano, scrumhalf Andy Ellis and
replacement Tom Marshall all scored tries for the Crusaders.
All
Blacks flyhalf Daniel Carter also resumed goal-kicking after recovering
from a groin surgery and added six conversions before he was replaced
by Tyler Bleyendaal, who added a late conversion.
The
Christchurch-based side moved to 42 points and remained in the playoffs
hunt in fifth-place overall and second in the New Zealand conference
behind the Waikato Chiefs (45), who have a bye and will be awarded four
points at the end of the round.
"We were clinical when we had
the ball, played at the right end of the filed and the opportunities we
got we made them count," McCaw said in a pitchside interview. "When it
comes together like tonight, it's pretty pleasing."
While they
had been lacking in execution and blighted by poor decision-making and
terrible kicking last week in Melbourne, the Crusaders could do little
wrong against the Blues at Rugby League Park.
Hard nosed,
straight running that drew defenders and allowed players to be put into
space also opened numerous holes in the Auckland defence and destroyed
the Blues by halftime with five tries and a 31-0 lead.
The
Blues, who had beaten the Lions last week to move off the bottom of the
table, missed too many tackles and had no answer to the intensity the
Crusaders forwards brought to the contact area.
The visitors had
few opportunities to score and it took them until the final quarter
before replacement Lachie Munro scored in the corner. He added a second
try after the fulltime hooter had sounded.
"The Crusaders were
outstanding. They were full of fire from their loss last weekend and we
copped it," Blues captain Luke Braid said.
"Their tempo was really fast and it was hard for us to set a D (defensive) line."
Teams: Crusaders: 15. Israel Dagg, 14. Adam Whitelock, 13. Robert Fruean, 12. Ryan Crotty, 11. Zac Guildford, 10. Dan Carter, 9. Andy Ellis, 8. Richie McCaw (Captain), 7. Matt Todd, 6. George Whitelock, 5. Sam Whitelock, 4. Luke Romano, 3. Owen Franks, 2. Corey Flynn, 1. Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16. Quentin MacDonald, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Tom Donnelly, 19. Brendon O'Connor, 20. Willi Heinz, 21. Tyler Bleyendaal, 22. Tom Marshall
Blues: 15. Hadleigh Parkes, 14. David Raikuna, 13. Ma'a Nonu, 12. Michael Hobbs, 11. Benson Stanley, 10. Gareth Anscombe, 9. Piri Weepu, 8. Luke Braid (Captain), 7. Daniel Braid, 6. Steven Luatua, 5. Ali Williams, 4. Liaki Moli, 3. Tevita Mailau, 2. Tom McCartney, 1. Tony Woodcock
Substitutes: 16. James Parsons, 17. Angus Ta'avao, 18. Filo Paulo, 19. Peter Saili, 20. Alby Mathewson, 21. Lachie Munro, 22. Sherwin Stowers