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Match Highlights - Ruthless Crusaders punish Lions again to defend title

The Crusaders successfully defended their Super Rugby title as a 37-18 home victory handed the Lions more final pain at AMI Stadium.

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For the second year running, the New Zealand outfit added to their record haul of titles – now at nine – as the magnitude of a repeat of last year’s final appeared too much for the Lions at times in a sloppy display.

Seta Tamanivalu, set to depart for Bordeaux, and David Havili scored first-half tries and a 15th consecutive Crusaders win looked a formality, despite allowing the visitors to monopolise possession.

There was a belated riposte from Cyle Brink after the break and, although a Mitchell Drummond effort restored a healthy home advantage, Ryan Crotty was then sent to the sin bin shortly before Malcolm Marx again brought the Lions back into contention.

But Scott Barrett stretched the lead again to begin the Crusaders’ celebrations early, as the wait for a first championship goes on for the Lions, whose heartbreaking run of final defeats extends to a third year in a row.

The Lions were dominant in the early stages but had only an Elton Jantjies penalty to show for their efforts by the 15-minute mark, allowing Richie Mo’unga to swiftly level.

And the visitors’ failure to capitalise on their strong start proved costly as the Crusaders turned the screw and Tamanivalu charged through two challenges to cross in the corner.

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Jantjies poor kicking from deep invited further pressure late in the half and, after gifting the Crusaders a scrum and valuable territory as he carried the ball over his own try-line, the Lions were punished.

Mo’unga dispatched a penalty following the scrum and soon created a second home try, claiming a Jantjies kick and driving an attack that ended with Havili lunging over.

Jantjies reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time, yet the Lions again initially struggled to build on his penalty and Mo’unga kicked the first points after the restart.

The visitors then wrongly believed they had their first try when Jantjies stretched just short of the line, but they did not have to wait long to score as Brink thundered through from 20 yards.

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A devastating move freed Drummond to cross under the posts at the other end as the Crusaders hit back, but the Lions attacked with ever more gusto and a sturdy home defence was hindered by Crotty’s yellow card before Marx forged a route through on the left.

Once again the Crusaders had a response, though, and Barrett’s try 10 minutes from time finally secured the result and the title.

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Soliloquin 14 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

For Fischer, many people in France are still doubting him - it’s the first time he has a full season (31 games). Before, he was always injured at some point. He’s 27, so not the youngest, and you have a younger Boudehent or Jégou behind.

His physicality is incredible, but he didn’t prove he’s got hands. He just proved he was able to defend like a beast.

But you know, even Cros has improved his handling skills lately, so it’s never too late!

And he will play the Champions Cup with a solid Bayonne side, so let’s see!


I don’t agree with ‘only Fischer’: Brennan proved he’s a great 4/7 utility player, and Galthié likes those very much (Woki or Flament). He’s 23, playing for Toulouse with high concurrence, so the prospect is good. I rate him higher than Auradou, who had a few games in the 6 Nations.

For Depoortère, he had a more silent season than the previous one - injured at the worst moment during the Autumn Tests series - but came back strong with a Champions Cup and a solid partnership with Moefana. What could save him would be to start playing as a 12 when Moefana isn’t there, bulking up and become the new Jauzion.

But he’s 22 and an incredible talent at 13. His height makes me think he had more potential than your fan favorite Costes or the utility player that is Gailleton.


As for Montagne or Mallez, with the lack of quality in props, they could find a spot!

Especially Mallez who’s got a good spot to get behind Baille at Toulouse. Neti isn’t the youngest and hasn’t an international level.


And again, as Ugo Mola said, you never play with your best team.

So 30-32 player is more of a 38-40, so you need back-ups.

France knows very well how useful they can be during RWCs.

233 Go to comments
S
Soliloquin 31 minutes ago
Why New Zealand learned more from their July series than France

Hastoy was a good prospect before the 2023 RWC, he was the fly-half who led La Rochelle to the victory in the Champions Cup final in Dublin against Leinster.

But he made it to the squad only because Ntamack got his ACL.

He played against Uruguay, which a terribly poor game by the French side, and since then he declined a bit, alongside his club.

Under the pressure of Reus and West at 10, he regained some credit at the end of the season (among all a drop at the 81st minute of a game).

He’s quite good everywhere, but not outstanding.

He doesn’t have the nerves, the defense and the tactical brain of Ntamack, the leadership and the creativity of Ramos or the exceptional attacking skills of Jalibert.


I really hope that:

-Ntamack will get his knee back. The surgery went well. He wasn’t the most elusive player in the world, but he was capable of amazing rushes like the one against NZ in 2021 or the Brennus-winning try in 2023.

-Jalibert will continue to improve his defense. He started working hard since March (after his defensive disaster against England) with a XIII specialist, and I’ve seen great moments, especially against Ntamack in the SF of the Champions Cup. It’s never too late. And it would be a great signal for Galthié.

-Hastoy will build up his partnership with Le Garrec, that La Rochelle will start a new phase with them and Niniashvili, Alldritt, Atonio, Boudehent, Jegou, Bosmorin, Bourgarit, Nowell, Wardi, Daunivucu, Kaddouri, Pacôme…

233 Go to comments
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