Waratahs winners over out-of-sorts Crusaders

Cape Town - The Waratahs were deserved winners against an out-of-sorts Crusaders side in an error-strewn Super Rugby clash at a wet Sydney Cricket Ground on Saturday.

As it happened: Waratahs v Crusaders

The Waratahs won 20-12 after leading 15-7 at half-time.

The Waratahs scored three tries in an opening 10-minute blitz through lock Jed Holloway and wing Cam Clark, while fullback Israel Folau's late score sealed the match for the hosts. Flyhalf Bernard Foley added a conversion and penalty.

The Crusaders, missing a number of first-choice All Blacks, replied with tries by wing George Bridge and replacement fullback Will Jordan. Pivot Brett Cameron, who had an otherwise forgettable night filling the boots of Richie Mo'unga, added a conversion.

The Waratahs picked up four points for their victory and moved to the top of the Australian Conference and into second spot in the Overall standings.

The Crusaders, seeking a 10th Super Rugby title this season, left empty-handed, but stayed top of both the New Zealand Conference and Overall log.

In next weekend's Round 7 action, the Waratahs host the Sunwolves in Newcastle (Friday, March 29 at 10:45 SA time), while the Crusaders travel to Wellington to tackle the Hurricanes earlier in the day (08:35 SA time).

Teams:

Waratahs

15 Israel Folau, 14 Cam Clark, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Alex Newsome, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps, 8 Jack Dempsey, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Damien Fitzpatrick, 1 Harry Johnson-Holmes

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Tuala, 17 Rory O’Connor, 18 Chris Talakai, 19 Lachlan Swinton, 20 Michael Wells, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Mack Mason, 23 Karmichael Hunt

Crusaders

15 David Havili, 14 Braydon Ennor, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ryan Crotty (co-captain), 11 George Bridge, 10 Brett Cameron, 9 Bryn Hall,, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock (co-captain), 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Harry Allan

Substitutes: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 Isileli Tuungafasi, 18 George Bower, 19 Luke Romano, 20 Tom Sanders, 21 Ere Enari, 22 Mitchell Hunt, 23 Will Jordan