Super XV Big Match Review - Stormers 14 - 19 Crusaders

There seems to be a set script in rugby where, if you're winning by less than a score (say, 2 points), you can't simply maintain possession around your opponent's 22 metre line and stuff it up the jumper for a few minutes to calmly let the dying embers of the game fizzle out until the referee blows his whistle, handing you a hard-earned victory.  No, standard procedure is to hand the ball back to the opposition and allow them within 20 metres of your line whilst you frantically scramble across the pitch to keep them out by the skin of your teeth – a display which induces enhanced methane levels from supporters of both sides at the ground.

Not only do these finishes thicken the air somewhat, but they also provide brilliant entertainment – and that's exactly what we got in Cape Town on Sunday.  In a real Easter Egg of a game, we saw two sides who have been striving to get some consistency this campaign, with both the Stormers and the Crusaders having lost their first two fixtures before turning it around with consecutive victories.  I said in my preview that the symmetry between the sides was striking, and so it proved in a tight match – but the result fell a different way to which many (including myself) had predicted.

The visiting Crusaders were without 3 of their All Black lynchpins – Kieran Read, Dan Carter and Richie McCaw – with an absentee list that would comfortably form the spine of a World XV, but their set piece seemed to immune to such minor losses, with the New Zealand side's lineout snaffling no less than 3 of their opponents' in the opening 8 minutes.  Despite that, it was clear that the Stormers, roared on as ever by a vocal home support, were up for the battle.  Firstly, the pack forced a knock on which was picked up in an offside position, giving full back Joe Pietersen an early 3 points, before the hosts finally won a lineout and the continually impressive Siya Kolisi powered his way over the line.  Pietersen missed the conversion, but was on target 5 minutes later with another successful penalty attempt to give the home side a comfortable 11 – 0 lead. 

But the Crusaders' success is built on more than just talent – tenacity is at the fore of everything they do as well, and they came back with a ferocity and precision that took the Stormers by surprise.  Fullback Tom Marshall wriggled his way through the South African side's defence before the ball was recycled and a superb offload from Sam Whitelock was collected by flanker Matt Todd, who ploughed his way over for his side's opening score.  Tyler Bleyendaal converted, before knocking over 2 penalties to give the Crusaders a 13 – 11 halftime lead.

After the break, the game's pivotal moment came on 54 minutes after a scoreless opening to the second half, with a further example of the ridiculous mentality of classifying any tackle that involves the momentary lifting of a player as 'dangerous'.  Stormers' number 8 Duane Vermeulen picked up winger Zac Guilford about an inch off the ground, didn't tip him beyond 90 degrees, and yet not only was he penalised, he was shown a yellow card.  Bleyendaal wasn't overly concerned though – and why should he be – and the young fly half continued his composed performance with another penalty strike, before Pietersen responded with one for the hosts.  But it was the set piece that was to be the bane of the home side, with the scrum this time imploding under pressure from the Crusaders, yielding another 3 points to the boot of Bleyendaal.

Cue the standard frantic finish, with the Stormers throwing wave after wave of runners hard into the Crusaders defence which, led by captain George Whitelock, was utterly magnificent.  The Stormers' move broke down in the corner after fantastic scramble defence, and the New Zealand side could celebrate a famous victory.  For the home fans, however, this was a story which they won't be too keen to retell anytime soon.
 

What else happened across the Southern Hemisphere over the Easter weekend?

Highlanders 33 – 34 Reds:  The Reds picked up their first ever win in Otago and a bonus point on the way to condemning the Highlanders to their 5th straight defeat.  The home side scored tries through Elliot Dixon, Hosea Gear and Ma'a Nonu, but the Queensland side edged it thanks to scores from James Hanson, Liam Gill, Jake Schatz and Will Genia.

Cheetahs 34 – 16 Rebels:  The Cheetahs continued the Rebels' miserable tour of South Africa with a dominant second half performance to deliver a thumping 5 try victory.  The hosts had Hennie Daniller, Raymond Rhule, Willie Le Roux, Johann Sadie and Rayno Benjamin to thank for their scores, whilst the Rebels could only respond through a solitary try from replacement prop Caderyn Neville.

Brumbies 23 – 20 Bulls:  The Brumbies squeaked past the Bulls thanks to a last minute Christian Lealiifano kick from a controversial penalty.  The hosts had grabbed a try through Robbie Coleman before the visitors responded with efforts from Jurgen Visser and JJ Engelbrecht, but Lealiifano's boot, with the last kick of the game, secured a win for the ACT outfit.

Chiefs 23 – 16 Blues:  The Chiefs earned themselves a hard fought win over a stubborn Blues side on Saturday.  Ben Tameifuna and Richard Kahui both crossed for the conference-topping Kiwi side, with George Moala going over late on for the Blues to ensure a nervy finish for the Waikato side.

Hurricanes 46 – 30 Kings:  The Hurricanes were made to work hard for a big win against a resilient Southern Kings outfit.  The Canes got on the scoreboard through Ben May, Conrad Smith, TJ Perenara, Jeremy Thrush, Brad Shields and Alapati Leiua, with the visitors responding through Steven Sykes, Ronnie Cooke and Hannes Franklin.

Waratahs 23 – 19 Force:  The Waratahs battled their way to a hard fought win over a dogged Force side in Sydney, scoring a try through Wallaby utility back Adam Ashley Cooper (playing at 13 for the Tahs).  The Force grabbed a try of their own through the prolific Alfi Mafi, but ultimately came up just short.