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The Chiefs’ miserable start to the Super Rugby season continued as they were trounced 57-28 by the irrepressible Crusaders on Saturday, while Rieko Ioane ran riot for the Blues against the Sunwolves.
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Colin Cooper’s men remain winless in 2019, with this weekend’s emphatic loss at Christchurch Stadium following up a shock reverse at the hands of the Sunwolves last time out.
Will Jordan and Codie Taylor each crossed twice for the Crusaders, while there were also tries for five other home players as the reigning champions extended their sensational winning streak to 19 matches.
The only negative for the table-topping Crusaders was an early injury for All Blacks prop Joe Moody, who limped off inside the opening 10 minutes.
“[He’s] sprained his ankle. How bad, we will find out tomorrow [Sunday],” head coach Scott Robertson was quoted as saying by stuff.co.nz.
Reflecting on his side’s record of four losses from as many matches this year, Chiefs coach Cooper said: “It’s tough times. But it’s a tough competition. We just have to really keep together.”
Ioane became only the fourth Blues player to score four tries in a game as the Auckland franchise claimed a much-needed first victory of the campaign, beating the Sunwolves 28-20.
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#BluesBrother276#RiseUp #BluesAllDay #BLUvSUN pic.twitter.com/X8zmR1RX5B
— The Blues (@BluesRugbyTeam) March 9, 2019
While the Blues got off the mark for 2019 on Saturday, the Reds were unable to break their duck as they went down 28-17 to the Waratahs in an error-strewn contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
On a pitch that broke up alarmingly at scrum time, the Tahs moved ahead in the seventh minute and retained their lead for the rest of the contest despite both teams scoring three tries apiece.
