Macilai hat-trick helps extend Crusaders run

Jone Macilai scored a hat-trick of tries to help the Crusaders to a 38-5 bonus point victory over the Reds at AMI Stadium in Christchurch.

The Crusaders victory is their eighth straight win this season which equals their best unbeaten run since the 2008 Super Rugby season.

The six tries to one win for the Crusaders is also their fifth straight win against the Reds who last beat the Christchurch side in the 2011 Super Rugby final.

The Reds have played 10 matches to date and won two while the Crusaders have played nine and won 8. Their only loss was to the Chiefs in Round 1.

Despite scoring more tries than the Reds the Crusaders defence set up the platform for the victory as the Queensland side were unable to turn their posssession advantage into points.

The Crusaders showed no signs that they were missing Nemani Nadolo to suspension as s another Fijian winger, Macilai-Tori scored three of the home side’s six tries.

Macilai scored two in the first eight minutes and Crusaders captain Kieran Read said the winger’s effort set up the win.

“It certainly does help when you have a start like that,” he said.

Macilai-Tori scored his first try from an overlap after four minutes, then latched onto the end of a slick assist from the base of a scrum for his second.

Scott Barrett crossed for the Crusaders third after pressure from a lineout drive in the 33rd minute to make it 21-0 after the conversion.

Macilai-Tori then completed his hat-trick just after the restart, running onto free space into the corner for his third.

He had another disallowed for a double movement but Jordan Taufua and Codie Taylor completed the rout.

Next week the Crusaders travel to Dunedin to face the Highlanders while the Reds remain in New Zealand as they play the Hurricanes in Wellington.

Final Score Crusaders 38 (21) Reds 5 (0)

Scorers

Crusaders
Tries – J.Macilai 2, S. Barrett, J.Taufua, C.Taylor
Pen –
Con – R.Mo’unga 3, M.McKenzie
Drop –
Cards – K.Read (57th min yellow)

Reds
Tries – C.Magnay
Pen –
Con –
Drop –
Cards –

Match Officials
Referee: Brendon Pickerill
Assistant Ref 1:Jamie Nutbrown
Assistant Ref 2:Kane McBride
TMO : Chris Wratt

Teams

Crusaders

1. Wyatt Crockett, 2. Codie Taylor,3. Mike Alaalatoa,4. Scott Barrett,5. Sam Whitelock,6. Jordan Taufua,7. Matt Todd,8. Kieran Read (c),9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. Richie Mo’unga,11. Jone Macilai,12. David Havili, 13. Kieron Fonotia,14. Johnny McNicholl, 15. Israel Dagg,

Replacements : 16. Ben Funnell,17. Joe Moody,18. Owen Franks,19. Luke Romano,20. Tim Boys,21. Andy Ellis, 22. Ryan Crotty,23. Marty Mckenzie,

Reds

1. James Slipper (C), 2. Andrew Ready, 3. Greg Holmes, 4. Ben Matwijow, 5. Rob Simmons, 6. Hendrik Tui, 7. Liam Gill, 8. Curtis Browning, 9. Nick Frisby (50th Queensland cap), 10. Jake McIntyre, 11. Eto Nabuli, 12. Anthony Fainga’a, 13. Campbell Magnay, 14. Chris Feauai-Sautia, 15. Karmichael Hunt

16. Saia Fainga’a, 17. Sef Fa’agase, 18. Sam Talakai, 19. Cadeyrn Neville, 20. Michael Gunn, 21. James Tuttle, 22. Sam Greene, 23. Junior Laloifi