Stephan Greeff
In a match where the lead changed sides more often than some presidents change their mind on foreign policy, the Crusaders eventually ran out 20-14 victors over the DHL Stormers at Newlands.
Stormers (11) 14 / Crusaders (10) 20 (Final Score)
The DHL Stormers hosted the Crusaders at Newlands, Cape Town at 17:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
This game lived up to it’s hype…. a cracker!
The silky offload skills by Sonny Bill Williams, the speed and hard running by Jaque Fourie, the strong Crusaders scrum, tight defence by the Stormers… classic.
Crusaders and All Blacks star fly half Dan Carter has been ruled out of this week’s Super Rugby clash against the Stormers.
Force (19) 30 / Crusaders (22) 42 (Final Score)
The Western Force hosted the Crusaders at NIB Stadium, Perth at 14:05 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Force put up a brave fight but the Crusaders were just too powerful at the end.
Crusaders (13) 18 / Highlanders (15) 26 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Highlanders at Trafalgar Park, Nelson at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on Tv in SA.
A gritty Highlanders side showed how to beat the Crusaders at home with formidable defence and forwards who spoil every possible fast ground ball of the opposition, both teams scoring 2 tries.
The Crusaders and Canterbury Rugby Unions have paid tribute to Brad Thorn after he announced that he will join Japanese club Fukuoka Sanix Blues following the Rugby World Cup.
The Crusaders have named their team to face the Highlanders this weekend with Richie McCaw and Dan Carter both missing the match due to injury.
Chiefs (13) 16 / Crusaders (17) 34 (Final Score)
The Chiefs hosted the Crusaders at Baypark Stadium, Mt Manganui at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & CSN on TV in SA.
The Crusaders bagged their bonus point-earning 4th try just before full time… and the juggernaut continues.
All the Globe Jet-setters might be more qualified to write an article like this. So let me try my hand on a subject I never experienced, in fact I have never left this beautiful country. Mozambique is only 200 kilometers to the East from where I live. Botswana and Zimbabwe not even 400 kilometers away, never been there. So take my words with a pinch of salt.
I wonder if those who criticised the concept of ‘head’s up rugby’ in the recent past realise that this is exactly what we are seeing from the two top teams in the Super 15? Continue reading
Crusaders (14) 27 / Bulls (0) 0 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Bulls at Alpine Energy Stadium, Timaru at 09:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD & M-Net on TV in SA.
The Crusaders methodically dismantled an error-ridden and lacklustre Bulls effort, keeping them scoreless.
The Crusaders have named their team to face the Bulls in Timaru with Dan Carter being replaced by Matt Berquist due to injury.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder warned his Super Rugby rivals his side can get even better after their 44-28 defeat of the Sharks at Twickenham on Sunday.
Dan Carter and league convert Sonny Bill Williams were the inspiration behind a devastating first half performance that put the New Zealanders 34-18 up at the break.
Crusaders (34) 44 / Sharks (18) 28 (Final Score)
The Crusaders and the Sharks did battle in a game “Hosted” by the Crusaders at Twickenham, London, England at 17:00 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
What a game!
Scintilating rugby, game of all time in the History of Super Rugby!
5 Tries by the Crusaders, 4 tries by the Sharks.
With the energy, frequency and sheer number of matches in a competition like the Super 15, you almost never get a moment to sit down and reflect on issues, but I had to make the time to do just that. Continue reading
The Crusaders have moved their remaining “home” Super Rugby matches to Napier, Wellington, Timaru and back to Nelson.
AMI Stadium has been ruled out for the rest of the year so the Crusaders had to move their matches to other grounds.
Highlanders (6) 13 / Crusaders (13) 44 (Final Score)
THe Highlanders hosted the Crusaders at Carisbrook, Duneden at 06:30 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 on TV in SA.
The Crusaders ran rampant towards the end of the game, totally blowing the Highlanders out of the game. At halftime the scores were still close but woeful kicking to goal by Tony Brown gave the Crusaders the necessary buffer to open the taps properly in the second half.
The Crusaders match against the Sharks match at Twickenham has been confirmed for March 27 at 4pm local time.
England’s Rugby Football Union have agreed to host the match on the Sunday as the previous date clashed with Harlequins playing Gloucester at the Twickenham Stoop in the Aviva Premiership.
Crusaders (19) 52 / Brumbies (10) 10 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Brumbies at Travalgar Park, Nelson at 08:35 SA Time. This was the game thread for discussion of the match. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1, SHD and M-Net on TV in SA.
The Crusaders started slowly and by Halftime were only 9 points in the lead but after Halftime they let rip in the first 9 minutes and scored try after try, demolishing the Brumbies.
Sean Maitland scored an impressive 4 tries on the night.
Lock Chris Jack will play his 100th game for the Crusaders when he takes the field in the Super Rugby match against the Brumbies at Trafalgar Park, Nelson, on Friday.
Jack, who plays his provincial rugby for Tasman, made his debut for the Crusaders 12 years ago and will start in the number four jersey, replacing Brad Thorn.
The Sharks have been approached by the Crusaders about playing their match on March the 25th at Twickenham in London.
The Crusaders cannot play their scheduled matches at AMI Stadium as it was damaged by the earthquake that hit Christchurch last month.
The Crusaders could take Super Rugby to a completely new market by playing one of their matches in London England.
The Crusaders cannot use their home ground at AMI Stadium in Christchurch and are said to be considering playing a Super rugby match in Auckland or even London, England.
Crusaders (26) 33 / Waratahs (13) 18 (Final Score)
The Crusaders hosted the Waratahs at Travalgar Park, Nelson (not in Christchurch due to the massive earthquake) at 08:35 SA Time. This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 and CSN on TV in SA.
The Crusaders won comfortably in the end but the nail in the Waratahs coffin were the 2 fast scores before halftime and the fast try just after halftime to give the Saders the buffer they needed.
Sonny Bill Williams is expected to make his Vodacom Super Rugby debut for the Crusaders against the Waratahs on Friday.
The Crusaders will play their next two home Super rugby matches in Nelson after their stadium was damaged in the deadly Christchurch earthquake.
The Crusaders have been forced to move their Vodacom Super Rugby home matches from AMI Stadium following a deadly earthquake this week, but the Christchurch mayor still hopes the city and stadium will be ready to host Rugby World Cup matches in September.
Continue reading
SANZAR CEO Greg Peters has announced that the Crusaders will withdraw from their Super Rugby match against the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday, following the devastating earthquake that struck Christchurch yesterday.
The Crusaders are still planning to travel to Wellington for Saturday’s match against the Hurricanes but players will be given the choice of opting out.
Blues (6) 24 / Crusaders (19) 22 (Final Score)
The Blues hosted the Crusaders at Eden Park, Auckland at 19:35 NZ Time (08:35 SA Time). This was the match thread for discussion of the game. The match was broadcast live on SuperSport 1 & M-Net on TV in SA.
Enthrawling game, high intensity and high pace, attacking space well!
After trailing most of the match, the Blues put in a fantastic effort to come from behind and beat the Crusaders.
The only blemish on the match was some wayward goal kicking on both sides.
The Crusaders have named their team for the 2011 Super rugby opener against the Blues in Auckland on Saturday which includes three Whitelock brothers.
The Crusaders ended their pre-season trial matches with a 40-21 victory over the Highlanders at Whitestone Contracting Stadium in Oamaru.