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Crusaders record big win over Moana Pasifika

(Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)

The Christchurch-based Crusaders fielded an understrength team but still took a vital bonus point from a 41-7 win over Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby Pacific.

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A week after losing 71-22 to the Wellington-based Hurricanes, Moana Pasifika conceded six tries in losing their last home match of the season at Mt Smart Stadium.

For the Crusaders, the win hoisted them to second place at the start of the 13th round.

The Crusaders were able to rest many of their front-line players but still get the job done, keeping up with their rivals in the contest for top-four places.

Four of the Crusaders’ tries came in the first half after which they led 29-0.

They managed only two tries to one in a second half which was much more evenly contested.

“Our focus was to start well, especially playing into a stiff breeze that required us forwards to set the play,” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.

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“I thought we did that quite well to start with.

“Moana showed a bit of physicality towards the end there.

“I’m just pleased with how this group went.

“There were quite a lot of young boys here and they rolled their sleeves up tonight with a lot of effort.”

Moana Pasifika defended more effectively in the second half and the Crusaders had to go to their lineout drive to score again through hooker Brodie McAlister.

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Tima Fainga’anuku put Moana Pasifika on the board with a try in the 53rd minute but Scott Barrett added a final try for the Crusaders who were bruised by a physical encounter.

The Crusaders now are four points behind the first-place Chiefs at the start of the second round, but with all of the other top-five teams still to play.

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TI 2 hours ago
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Rieko took literally years to turn from a defensive liability at 13 into a guy, who’s defensively sound as it befits the position. And it all came at the cost of him being much less of an offensive threat, than what he used to be. Proctor is a natural 13, he handles, passes, and kicks way better than Rieko ever will, he just isn’t as fast.


It’s unfair to judge Tupaea on the handful of games he’s had in 2022 before he got nearly crippled by a Wallaby lock. What could Tupaea/Proctor pairing be, if they got the same amount of chances as Jordie/Rieko?


Because no matter how you spin it, playing a player outside of his natural position is a poor asset management. No matter how talented he is, he still competes against players who had years and years of practice at the position. And if said guy is so talented that he actually CAN compete against specialists, imagine how much better still he could have been, if he had all those years to iron the toothing issues at the position. It just drives me mad.


Two things I hate in rugby union beyond description: aping after league, and playing players outside of their natural position. Especially considering, that they all admit they hate it, when they’re allowed to speak freely. Owen Farrell spent 80% of his international career at 12, saying every time when asked, that he is a 10 and prefers to play at 10. Those players are literally held at a gunpoint: play out of position, or no national jersey for you.

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