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Crusaders extend 100 per cent start with bonus-point win at Waratahs

Mitchell Hunt in action for Crusaders

Crusaders extended their 100 per cent start to the Super Rugby season to six matches with an impressive 41-22 bonus-point victory over Waratahs in Sydney.

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Having come from behind to beat Highlanders, Queensland Reds and Blues earlier in the season, Crusaders showed the same form that helped them crush Western Force 45-17 last time out to move above Chiefs to the top of the New Zealand Conference.

Scott Robertson’s side surged ahead early on, with George Bridge running in his first Super Rugby try before David Havili broke the Waratahs line to power in the second after 12 minutes.

Michael Hooper crossed with the first opportunity that came the way of the Australian side, but Tim Bateman sent Crusaders into the break with a 19-10 lead.

Bateman’s second came in a brilliant counter-attacking move two minutes after the restart and Crusaders sent Wyatt Crockett on from the bench to make a record-equalling 175th Super Rugby appearance, but Waratahs showed immense spirit to fight back.

Jake Gordon carried two men over the line following some neat ball movement off a line-out and three minutes later Taqele Naiyaravoro flattened Bridge before touching down in the corner.

After hitting the right-hand post with a penalty from distance, Mitchell Hunt succeeded at his next attempt to open a seven-point lead and put paid to the Waratahs’ comeback.

Bryn Hall finished a fantastic move down the right launched by Manasa Mataele before Ben Funnell crashed in to secure the bonus point with three minutes remaining, as the Australians fell to a fourth defeat of the campaign.

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Nickers 18 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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