Crusaders

The Crusaders claimed a 37-26 win in Australia after carving out a convincing 23-5 lead at halftime.

As professional as it gets through the season's first 11 games, the Brumbies would be ruing uncharacteristic errors like Simone knocking-on a kick return under no pressure and a lineout throw going over Tom Hooper's head. And again as they looked to be running out of life, the Brumbies struck as winger Tom Wright picked off a Jordan pass and ran more than half the field to cut the margin back to 11 points. Just as things looked to be falling apart for the hosts, a bullet pass from scrumhalf Nic White hit Irae Simone and allowed the centre to power over for his second try, although the Crusaders hit back soon after as halfback Bryn Hall crossed from a pick-and-drive for 30-12.

As the Crusaders began to find momentum, first with a try to Codie Taylor then one to Sevu Reece set up by a deft Taylor grubber kick in behind the line, the ...

But the Crusaders went right back at their rivals, and the Brumbies staggered. It was an indication of how the Brumbies wanted to play and after four minutes midfielder Irae Simone had opened the scoring – albeit unconvincingly. Having only lost once this season before Friday night's game, there was always going to be a lot of interest in how the Brumbies reacted when matched up against one of the top two Kiwi teams.

Sevu Reece scored a try for the Crusaders. No-one could say the Crusaders are a generous lot. Not when pride, competition points and trans-Tasman bragging ...

Like elite athletes at their peak, our sports journalists are highly trained in the art of news. The Brumbies (43) are still above them, in second, on points differential. So we're asking you to support us with more than your attention. The Blues remain on top, on 45. It was almost as if coach Scott Robertson had instructed his Crusaders players to invite the Brumbies to have a look into the inner-workings of the machine and when they did, they couldn't stomach staring at the screaming, grinding cogs that throb under the bonnet. This encounter at GIO Stadium was billed as a collision of Super Rugby Pacific’s giants, a fair advertisement given the Brumbies had beaten the Chiefs, Hurricanes and Highlanders in previous weeks, but the Crusaders were in no mood to become their fourth New Zealand victim in as many weeks.

Crusaders withstand late Brumbies charge for excellent win in Canberra.

The Brumbies were slapped with a reality check as their three-game winning streak against Kiwi opposition ended at the hands of the Crusaders in Canberra on ...

Just individual errors, including myself." Tom Wright's brilliant intercept try - in which he turned Richie Mo'unga inside out on the way to the line - gave the Brumbies some late hope but the Crusaders always looked in control in a clash between teams two and three on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder. The Brumbies were slapped with a reality check as their three-game winning streak against Kiwi opposition ended at the hands of the Crusaders in Canberra on Friday night.

The Crusaders travelled to Canberra to take on the Brumbies on Friday evening knowing that a win could see them jump into second place on the overall Super ...

On in 50th minute. On in 57th minute. On in 61st minute. Off in 63rd minute. Wasn’t able to get his hands on the ball. Had a couple of yips very early in the match but came alive in the seventh minute with a break that eventually led to the Crusaders’ first score and grabbed one of his own late in the game off a Havili offload. Was brushed aside by Simone on the way to his second try and was then penalised for infringing at the breakdown shortly after. One lovely offload out of the tackle close to the tryline in the 65th minute handed Will Jordan his try. Stripped while trying to carry the ball out of the Crusaders 22 early in the match, which handed the Brumbies a great attacking platform. Off in 70th minute. Nailed all seven of his attempts on goal and became just the seventh player to eclipse 1,000 points at Super Rugby level with his second penalty of the night. Pinged once at the breakdown and once for bringing down a maul.

Crusaders withstand late Brumbies charge for excellent win in Canberra.