Unbeaten Crusaders demolish hapless Bulls
May 7, 2017 - 2:02 AM Being stripped of two of the world's premier players was not enough to stop the Crusaders flattening the Bulls in record-breaking style.The Super Rugby leaders made it 10 wins from 10 with a 62-24 triumph in Pretoria, crossing five times in each half, including a double to centre Jack Goodhue.
Having raised 50 points in 53 minutes, errors finally infiltrated the Crusaders' game and the Bulls scored some consolation tries over the closing stages.
It was the most points the Bulls have conceded at their Loftus Versfeld stronghold in 130 matches, and was also the highest tally the Crusaders have scored in any away match.
Victory was built on a dominant display from a visiting pack missing captain and lock Sam Whitelock (suspension) and All Blacks skipper Kieran Read (broken thumb).
Their teammates stepped up, mixing attacking kicks with slick offloads in an innovative attacking display.
The floodgates opened in the fourth minute when Read's replacement, Pete Samu, crossed.
It began a first half which featured very few Crusaders mistakes, opening the door for tries to Tim Bateman, Scott Barrett, Goodhue and David Havili.
Fullback Havili could have had a hat-trick but was twice denied tries for forward passes earlier in the play.
First five-eighth Richie Mo'unga, who landed five conversions, bagged a try soon after the break before Goodhue scored his second.
The other Crusaders tries went to Andrew Makalio, Mitch Hunt and Seta Tamanivalu while the Bulls crossed through Jesse Kriel, Jamba Ulengo and Jan Serfontein.
The win ended a five-match losing streak in Bulls territory for the Crusaders, who are averaging more than 50 points a game from their last six outings.
Their unbeaten streak could be threatened next week in Christchurch with a mouth-watering clash against the defending champion Hurricanes.
Source: AAP
No one has shouted yet.
Be the first!
Be the first!
Related News
- Hundreds welcome home champion Crusaders Aug 8
- Rapt Robertson makes Super Rugby history Aug 5
- Crusaders celebrate eighth Super title Aug 5
- Crusaders confront history at Ellis Park Aug 4
- Crusaders again unchanged for Super final Aug 3
- Crusaders Johannesburg-bound for final Jul 29
- Crusaders through to Super Rugby final Jul 29
- Crusaders happy for more rugby in the rain Jul 27
- Discipline the key for Crusaders in finals Jul 24
- Crotty return crucial say Crusaders Jul 20
- All Blacks give Crusaders Super boost Jul 19
- Crusaders ready for southern thriller No.3 Jul 18