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Crusaders thrash hapless Sunwolves

Cape Town - The Crusaders claimed a bonus point win after demolishing the Sunwolves in a one-sided affair in Christchurch on Friday.

As it happened: Crusaders v Sunwolves

The Crusaders won 50-3 after leading 29-3 at half-time.

Led by a hat-trick of tries by winger Manasa Mataele, the Crusaders overwhelmed the Sunwolves defence.

Further tries were scored by Kieran Read and Ben Funnell, while Richie Mo'unga converted two of the five first-half tries. Yu Tamura kicked the lone penalty for the Japanese side.

The Sunwovles continued to struggle in the second-half, as flanker Peter Samu, winger George Bridge and No 8 Whetu Douglas scored tries for the hosts, while Marty McKenzie added two conversations.

The Crusaders continue their unbeaten streak by picking up five points for their victory and stay on top of the New Zealand conference, while the battered and bruised Sunwolves remain at the bottom of the Africa Conference 1.

In next weekend's Round 9 action, the Sunwolves will face another tough task when they tackle the Highlanders in Dunedin (Saturday, April 22 at 07:15 SA time), while the Crusaders host an in-form Stormers in Christchurch (Saturday, April 22 at 09:35 SA time).

Teams:

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Seta Tamanivalu, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Manasa Mataele, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Pete Samu, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Luke Romano, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Ben Funnell, 1 Wyatt Crockett

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Oliver Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Whetu Douglas, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 George Bridge

Sunwolves

15 Kotaro Matsushima, 14 Takaaki Nakazuru, 13 Timothy Lafaele, 12 Derek Carpenter, 11 Kenki Fukuoka, 10 Yu Tamura, 9 Fumiaki Tanaka, 8 Rahboni Warren Vosayaco, 7 Shunsuke Nunomaki, 6 Edward Quirk (captain) 5 Sam Wykes, 4 Liaki Moli, 3 Takuma Asahara, 2 Takeshi Kizu, 1 Keita Inagaki

Substitutes: 16 Yusuke Niwai, 17 Koki Yamamoto, 18 Heiichiro Ito, 19 Shinya Makabe, 20 Yuhimaru Mimura, 21 Yuki Yatomi, 22 William Tupou, 23 Jamie-Jerry Taulagi 

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