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Bridge hat-trick and Read double keep Crusaders perfect

Crusaders wing George Bridge is tackled against Stormers

George Bridge scored a hat-trick and New Zealand captain Kieran Read ran in two tries as Crusaders maintained their 100 per cent Super Rugby record with a 57-24 thumping of Stormers.

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Bridge crossed three times in the space of 20 minutes as part of an indomitable first-half display from Crusaders, which enabled them to take Read – making just his second appearance after a spell on the sidelines – off at the break.

After a shaky start the New Zealanders took total control, with 22-year-old Bridge exploiting huge amounts of space on the left wing to notch a first-half trio.

Read ran in twice in the space of four minutes as Crusaders took a 36-3 lead into half-time, but Cheslin Kolbe and Bjorn Basson hit back for an improved Stormers.

However, tries from Michael Alaalatoa and Richie Mo’unga – who finished the match with 20 points – put paid to the South African franchise’s hopes of a comeback and made it eight wins from eight for Scott Robertson’s side.

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ROUND 9 HIGHLIGHTS : Crusaders v Stormers

Watch the BNZ Crusaders steamroll the Stormers 57-24 in a game which saw 11 great tries.

Posted by Investec Super Rugby on Saturday, 22 April 2017

Highlanders secured a fourth successive Super Rugby victory but a 40-15 bonus-point win against Sunwolves proved flattering.

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The Dunedin-based franchise looked rusty after coming off a bye week and were pushed hard by Sunwolves, who ended up with nothing to show for a combative display.

All Black Malakai Fekitoa got Highlanders off to a great start with a fourth-minute try, but they did not add to their tally until five minutes before half-time when Liam Squire – who signed a new two-year deal this week – crossed.

Aaron Smith sent Tony Brown’s side into the break with a deceiving 21-3 lead, and Matt Faddes’ double and a score from Ben Smith put them out of sight early in the second half.

Sunwolves refused to give up and impressed in the closing stages, with Willie Britz and Rahboni Warren-Vosayaco reducing the deficit.

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ROUND 9 HIGHLIGHTS : Highlanders v Sunwolves

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ROUND 9 HIGHLIGHTS : See all the try scoring highlights as the Highlanders hit their straps against the Sunwolves in Invercargill. #HIGvSUN #SuperRugby

Posted by Investec Super Rugby on Saturday, 22 April 2017

Western Force were unable to build on their victory over Southern Kings last time out but put in a valiant display in a 16-7 loss to Chiefs.

Liam Messam and Matt Hodgson traded scores in a tight first half, but a trio of Aaron Cruden penalties in the second period proved the difference.

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N
Nickers 37 minutes ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

I thought we made a lot of progress against that type of defence by the WC last year. Lots of direct running and punching holes rather than using width. Against that type of defence I think you have to be looking to kick on first phase when you have front foot ball which we did relatively successfully. We are playing a lot of rugby behind the gain line at the moment. They are looking for those little interchanges for soft shoulders and fast ball or off loads but it regularly turns into them battering away with slow ball and going backwards, then putting in a very rushed kick under huge pressure.


JB brought that dimension when he first moved into 12 a couple of years ago but he's definitely not been at his best this year. I don't know if it is because he is being asked to play a narrow role, or carrying a niggle or two, but he does not look confident to me. He had that clean break on the weekend and stood there like he was a prop who found himself in open space and didn't know what to do with the ball. He is still a good first phase ball carrier though, they use him a lot off the line out to set up fast clean ball, but I don't think anyone is particularly clear on what they are supposed to do at that point. He was used really successfully as a second playmaker last year but I don't think he's been at that role once this year. He is a triple threat player but playing a very 1 dimensional role at the moment. He and Reiko have been absolutely rock solid on defence which is why I don't think there will be too much experimentation or changes there.

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