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Crusaders show class by running rampant to dismantle Fijian Drua

(Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

The Crusaders have put their Super Rugby Pacific rivals on notice with a ruthless win over the Fijian Drua to strengthen their hold on second place.

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The 61-3 win at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium on Friday went as forecast, their nine unanswered tries against the newcomers a handy margin boost as they fight with the Brumbies for second spot.

The sides began the penultimate round equal on points, the 9-3 Crusaders with one less victory but boasting seven valuable bonus points and victory over the Brumbies last weekend.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 14

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 14

The Brumbies must now beat the first-placed Blues in Canberra on Sunday to keep pace, a loss all-but confirming a third-place finish.

That would set up a quarter-final against the sixth-placed team, which will be either NSW Waratahs, who are sixth on 33 points or the Queensland Reds who are seventh on 31.

“Since the Waratahs game (that they lost) and even the Blues we’ve dug deep, looked at ourselves, our game and started to build on the foundation of Crusaders rugby,” captain Scott Barrett said.

“You never forget those sorts of games. The Force, we bounced back and had a challenge last week against the Brumbies and tonight was much tougher than the scoreline suggests.”

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The Drua managed to link phases together with relative comfort, but couldn’t make inroads against the well-drilled host’s defence.

And their turnovers were punished, the Crusaders cruising with four first-half tries including a competition-high 10th for Leicester Fainga’anuku in the second minute.

Flanker Tom Christie and Fijian-born All Blacks star Sevu Reece bagged doubles while Fergus Burke, at No.10 in place of the rested Richie Mo’unga, scored a try and kicked all but one conversion.

The Drua, based predominantly in northern NSW in their debut season, finish a campaign next weekend that’s yielded two wins against the Chiefs while the Crusaders host the Reds.

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“Definitely not our night, but the main thing is to learn from this against a champion side like the Crusaders,” Drua captain Nemani Nagusa said.

“You miss a couple of opportunities and you pay for that. But we’ll finish off against the Chiefs and come back stronger next year.”

Crusaders 61 (Tries to Leicester Fainga’anuku, Tom Christie (2), Sam Whitelock, Sevu Reece (2), Fergus Burke, George Bridge and Braydon Ennor; 8 conversions to Burke)

Fijian Drua 3 (Penalty to Teti Tela)

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AM 40 minutes ago
'Freelancer' Izaia Perese shows the need for true inclusivity in Australian rugby

That's Cron's job though. Australia has had one of the most penalised scrums in international rugby for a long time. Just look at the scrum win loss percentage and scrum penalties. That is your evidence. AA has been the starter during that period. Pretty simple analysis. That Australia has had a poor scrum for a long time is hardly news. If bell and thor are not on the field they are woeful. So you are just plain wrong. They have very little time for the lions so doing the same old things that dont work is not going to get them there.


Ainsley is better than our next best tighthead options and has been playing well at scrum time for Lyon in the most competitive comp in the world. Superstar player? No. But better than the next best options. So that is a good enough guide. The scrummaging in the Prem is pretty good too so there is Sio's proof. Same analysis for him. Certainly better in both cases than Super, where the brumbies had the worst win loss and scrum pen in Super. Who plays there? Ohh yes... And the level of scrummaging in Super is well below the URC, prem and France with the SA teams out.


Nongorr is truly woeful. He's 130kg and gets shoved about. That just should not be happening at that weight for a specialist prop who has always played rugby cf pone with leauge. He has had enough time to develop at 23. You'd be better off with Pone who is at least good around the field for the moment and sending Nongorr on exchange to France or England to see if they can improve him with better coaching as happened with Skelton and Meafou. He isn't going to develop in time in super if he has it at all.


Latu is a better scrummaging hooker than BPA and Nasser. and he's the best aussie player over the ball at ruck time. McReight's super jackling percentage hasnt converted to international level but latu consistently does it at heniken level, which is similar to test level in the big games. With good coaching at La Rochelle he's much improved though still has the odd shocker. He should start the November games.

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