Bonus point Crusaders out class Brumbies

The Crusaders cruised to a 14-40 bonus point Super Rugby victory over the Brumbies in Canberra.

The Crusaders victory is their sixth consecutive Super Rugby victory over the Brumbies at all venues and for the first time their third in a row in the Australian Capital .

The victory is the Crusaders seventh in a row this season which is their longest winning streak since 2008.

The two teams are both former champions and lead the Super Rugby statistics in terms of outright wins against all teams. The Crusaders are Super Rugby’s most successful team but have not won a title since 2008.

The Crusaders outscored the Brumbies by six tries to two in a one sided match which the Crusaders led throughout.

Despite the bonus point victory the Crusaders remain second in the New Zealand Conference but they close to within a point of the first placed Chiefs.

The loss for the Brumbies means that they remain in second place behind the Rebels in the Australian Conference.

After scoring four tries in the first half, the Crusaders crossed for two more in the second to send an ominous warning to the rest of the competition.

The Crusaders were superior in all areas against the Canberra-based side.

Their forwards were stronger and more committed at the breakdown while the backs dominated their Brumbies rivals in defence and attack.

Giant winger Nemani Nadolo was almost unstoppable in the first half, opening the scoring when he steamrolled his way over after just five minutes.

The Brumbies struck back with a try to Robbie Coleman on the 10-minute mark, but the Crusaders were in again three minutes later when Jone Macilai touched down after tireless flanker Matt Todd stole the ball at the breakdown and gave his right winger a clear run to the line.

All Black fullback Israel Dagg and hooker Codie Taylor added two more tries to effectively put the game out of the Brumbies’ reach by halftime.

The home side were briefly back in the contest when winger Joe Tomane scored in the corner six minutes after the restart, but Taylor added his second try to put the lead back out to 19 points before replacement flyhalf Marty McKenzie strolled over under the posts to complete the scoring.

“That was very disappointing,” Brumbies captain Stephen Moore said.

“There were a couple of turnovers that were very costly. We gave them a good lead and couldn’t peg them back.”

Next week the Crusaders have a bye and the Brumbies are back at home in Canberra as they host Super Rugby champions the Highlanders.

Final Score Brumbies 14 (7) Crusaders 40 (26) 

Scorers

Brumbies
Tries -R.Coleman, J.Tomane
Pen –
Con – C.Lealiifano 2
Drop –
Cards –

Crusaders
Tries -N Nadolo , J. Macilai, I Dagg, C.Taylor 2, M.McKenzie
Pen –
Con – R. Mo’unga 4, M.McKenzie
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Jaco Peyper
Assistant Ref 1:Nic Berry
Assistant Ref 2:Ed Martin
TMO :Ian Smith

Teams

Brumbies

Scott Sio , Stephen Moore (c) , Ben Alexander , Rory Arnold , Sam Carter , Scott Fardy , Jarrad Butler , Jordan Smiler , Tomás Cubelli , Christian Lealiifano (c) , Joe Tomane , Matt Toomua , Tevita Kuridrani , Robbie Coleman , Aidan Toua

Replacements: Josh Mann-Rea , Allan Alaalatoa , Leslie Leulua’iali’i-Makin , Tom Staniforth , Michael Wells , Michael Dowsett , James Dargaville , Nigel Ah Wong

Crusaders

1. Joe Moody , 2. Codie Taylor , 3. Owen Franks , 4. Luke Romano , 5. Scott Barrett , 6. Jordan Taufua , 7. Matt Todd , 8. Kieran Read (c) , 9. Andy Ellis , 10. Richie Mo’unga , 11. Nemani Nadolo , 12. David Havili , 13. Kieron Fonotia , 14. Jone Macilai , 15. Israel Dagg

Replacements : 16. Ged Robinson ,17. Wyatt Crockett,18. Mike Alaalatoa, 19. Sam Whitelock,20. Tim Boys,21. Mitchell Drummond, 22. Sean Wainui, 23. Marty McKenzie