Beginning their quest for a sixth title in the last five years, it took the Crusaders less than five minutes to open the scoring, as Ethan Blackadder capped off a free-flowing counter-attack for the first try of the night.
But the Brumbies flipped the script by taking the lead at OrangeTheory Stadium, as Scott Sio crashed over from close range, as Lolesio s conversion put the visitors ahead 7-5.
Richie Mo unga restored the Crusaders advantage though, as he sliced through the Brumbies line for his side s second try of the night after a huge scrum from the reigning Super Rugby champions, and restoring the five-point lead.
“We haven t collapsed a scrum all year, I think.That’s frustrating, the boys admitted they were a little bit frustrated, we were all frustrated and that just didn t allow us to get our rhythm.” Robertson and Brumbies counterpart Dan McKellar both pointed to varying scrummaging techniques from the Australians and Kiwis, with the former promising the Crusaders will undergo a “robust” debrief before they head to Brisbane to face the Reds next week. Having lost his patience, Williams penalised both the Crusaders and Brumbies, who are renowned for their set piece, not that McKellar was about to cry foul.
After what’s been a whirlwind couple of weeks, he’s been named on the bench for what will be his third Super Rugby match.
Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images
Crusaders prop Tamaiti Williams is congratulated by wing Sevu Reece during his debut against the Blues last month. “It’s definitely been a highlight of my life to put the jersey on. Not only for a game, but big games like that. It’s meant a lot to me and my family.” Whangārei-born Williams’ rise has been accelerated by Joe Moody’s foot injury, but he’s been touted as a point of difference player since the Crusaders named him in their squad ahead of the 2021 season.
Kiwi Super Rugby franchises caught in bizarre Bruno Mars hoax
13 May, 2021 07:30 PM
2 minutes to read
Crusaders prepare for a new challenge in the upcoming Super Rugby Transtasman competition. Video / NZ Herald
Crusaders prepare for a new challenge in the upcoming Super Rugby Transtasman competition. Video / NZ Herald
NZ Herald
Several Kiwi Super Rugby franchises were reportedly caught up in a bizarre hoax involving pop superstar Bruno Mars, prompting the Crusaders to lay a formal complaint with the police.
In the build up to the Super Rugby Aotearoa final, which concluded last weekend with the Crusaders beating the Chiefs to claim their fifth straight title, three New Zealand teams reportedly received calls offering the services of Mars, the Grammy award winning singer who has sold over 150 million records worldwide.