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Crusaders beat Western Force but jeopardise place in Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final

(Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)

The Western Force have put a major dent in the Crusaders’ Super Rugby Trans-Tasman title hopes, unable to land the killer blow but still denying the heavyweights a bonus point in a 29-21 loss in Christchurch.

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After going down 29-14 early in the second half, the Force dominated field position and possession against the formidable Super Rugby Aotearoa champions.

Reduced to 14 men thanks to a late injury to replacement Tim Anstee, the Force finally cracked the line with the final play of the game when captain Kyle Godwin’s long-range kick was chased down by Jordan Olowofela.

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It caught the Crusaders napping and took away a bonus point that could be the difference between high-flying New Zealand teams in a tournament that features a stand-alone final.

Toni Pulu scored a brilliant try in just the second minute, stepping inside and beating three defenders as the Force’s pursuit of a first win in Christchurch started well.

But the winger, a smoky for a Wallab ies Test cap next month, was helped from the field with an apparent ankle injury just before halftime.

The Crusaders were without rested quartet Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock, Sevu Reece and George Bower at Orangetheory Stadium.

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Still, they looked to have wrestled back momentum with two tries in response to Pulu’s early effort before Ollie Callan crossed in his starting debut in the No.8 jersey.

Crusaders fullback Will Jordan was denied a try-scoring treble, strangely because of a Force error when Jake Strachan stepped on the sideline before he threw a pass that teammate Domingo Miotti knocked on.

It was all the Force after that, denied a brilliant try when Richard Kahui’s tap-on pass was deemed forward and Godwin held up over the line.

That was as close as they got until the final minute though, the Force now boasting three losses by 10 points or less from their four Trans-Tasman clashes so far.

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Crusaders 29 (Tries to Manasa Mataele, Will Jordan (2), Whetukamokamo Douglas and Sione Havili Talitui; 2 conversions to Fergus Burke)

Western Force 21 (Tries to Toni Pulu, Ollie Calln and Jordan Olowofela; 2 conversion to Domingo Miotti, conversion to Ian Prior)

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RedWarrior 1 hour ago
Three-way race to be number one in World Rugby men's rankings

IF SA and NZ win then its 1,2,3 SA/NZ/IRL Otherwise as you were. This is largely irrelevant beyond bragging rights.


As I have pointed out elsewhere the practical use of the Rankings is to determine the seedings bands for the RWC draw. The draw takes place early 2026 and hopefully the rankings will be taken from then.


Important to be in the top 6, the top 12. (and likely the top 4).

This is because there are now 6 groups in the RWC 2027.

If you are in top 6 you are in Seeding Band 1. That means none of the other top 6 will be in your group.

Seeding Band 2 are teams from 7-12, who will have a top 6 team but no other 7-12 team.

After England's defeat by NZ there is clear water between NZ in 3rd, France in 4th and England in 5th. England are desperate for top4, ill come back and explain why later.

Lets look at Seeding Band 1 and 6th place. If you make 6th, no top 6 team is in your group, you are top dog. If you win your group, you won't be facing a top 6 team in your 1/8th final, you will be facing a weaker team. If you fail to make 6th place you WILL have a top 6 team in your group and if you don't win your group you WILL (probably) meet a top 6 in the 1/8 final. That's massive.


Its Argentina holding 6th now. Assuming England hold 5th, then its a 4 horse race for 6th. Argentina, Scotland, Italy and ...Australia. (ranked 6,7,8,9)

Australia play the Lions in NH summer 2025 they are running out of time to get up to 6th for their own RWC. They MUST make a move now. They must beat Wales and they really must beat Scotland to gain points and take points off them. Could they surprise England or Ireland? England may be the better bet but Schmidt knows Ireland so well having masterminded their downfall in France.

Another one to watch is Italy V Argentina. Italy are ambitious and they will want to start pushing the likes of Argentina. If they win this they are still in the hunt. Well worth a watch either way.


Top4: I think the top 6 will be seeded, all the way through from the draw. If thats the case then the top 4 will be seeded to avoid each other until the semi. Good for more certainty around ticket sales etc. That's a possible reason why England want in there. You're not in there you are hitting a top 4 team in a QF. That's an extra 50:50 match you can do without and avoid by being top 4.


Lets look at what Seeding bands might look like with todays rankings:


Seeding Band 1

IRE/SA/NZ/FRA/ENG/ARG

Seeding Band 2

SCO/ITA/AUS/FIJ/WAL/GEO


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: FIJI

1/8 final opponent GEORGIA

Prognosis: advance to 1/4 and potentially beyond


Sample Aussie strongest pool opponent and 1/8th final opponent if NOT in top 6

Strongest pool opponent: SOUTH AFRICA

1/8 final opponent NEW ZEALAND

Prognosis: You know the prognosis


I am pretty sure this is not lost on Joe Schmidt?


Keep in mind when enjoying the matches.

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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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