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Cape Town - An out-of-sorts Crusaders side have narrowly beaten the Force in their Vodacom Super Rugby clash in Perth on Friday.
As it happened: Force v Crusaders
The Crusaders won 20-19 after leading 13-6 at half-time.
The Crusaders, who made countless handing errors in one of their more scrappy performances in some time, scored tries by scrumhalf Mitchell Drummond, wing Johnny McNicholl and flank Jordan Taufua. Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga added a conversion and a penalty.
The Force replied with a try by replacement back Ryan Louwrens, while flyhalf Peter Grant added the conversion and four penalties.
The Crusaders picked up four points for their victory, while the Force had to be content with a single point after losing by seven or fewer points.
In next weekend's Round 8 action, the Crusaders host the Jaguares in Christchurch on Friday, April 15 (09:35), while the Force have the weekend off.
Teams:
Force
15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Luke Morahan, 13 Ben Tapuai, 12 Junior Rasolea, 11 Semisi Masirewa, 10 Peter Grant, 9 Alby Mathewson, 8 Ben McCalman, 7 Matt Hodgson (captain), 6 Angus Cottrell, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Steve Mafi, 3 Tetera Faulkner, 2 Heath Tessmann, 1 Pekahou Cowan.
Substitutes: 16 Nathan Charles, 17 Francois van Wyk, 18 Jermaine Ainsley, 19 Rory Walton, 20 Richard Hardwick, 21 Ryan Louwrens, 22 Ian Prior, 23 Albert Nikoro
Crusaders
15 Ben Volavola, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett
Substitutes: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Jimmy Tupou, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 Jone Macilai
