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Comeback kings Crusaders defy injuries to prevail, Highlanders also win at a cost

Israel Dagg, right, watches on from the bench after suffering an injury

Crusaders defied a host of injury setbacks to pull off another magnificent comeback and maintain their 100 per cent start to the Super Rugby season with a thrilling 22-20 victory over Queensland Reds.

Scott Roberston’s men came from 21 points down to beat Highlanders last weekend and were again forced to rally from behind on Saturday after conceding the first 17 points.

To make matters worse, Crusaders saw All Blacks Israel Dagg and Seta Tamanivalu leave the field with injuries early on, along with Peter Samu.

Yet the visitors to Suncorp Stadium were nevertheless able to strike back, Bryn Hall’s second-half brace reducing the deficit to a solitary point before Mitch Hunt kicked a match-winning penalty after the hooter. Hall’s second try also came with Jordan Taufua in the sin bin for throwing a punch, albeit one that barely connected.

Crusaders skipper Sam Whitelock said: “We had some injuries, but the guys who came on really gave us something. I’m just really proud.”

James Slipper, captain of the beaten Reds, added: “It’s pretty gutting. We came here to win and put ourselves in a position to do that, but this Crusaders team, they proved it last week, they don’t give up.”

Highlanders were also forced to overcome the loss of two New Zealand internationals as they claimed a first win of the season, edging out Blues 16-12 with Malakai Fekitoa scoring the only try.

Waisake Naholo and Lima Sopoaga each came off with hamstring injuries, to the despair of coach Tony Brown.

Brown was quoted by stuff.co.nz as saying: “It doesn’t look good. It looks like Lima will be out for a while; Waisake probably the same. Hamstrings don’t come right overnight so those guys are going to be tough to replace.”

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Nickers 26 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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LONG READ England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit England need to face a few home truths if they are to relearn that winning habit
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