16 tries feature in Crusaders-Sharks match

Crusaders 77 Sharks 34


Over 100 points, including 16 tries, were scored as the Crusaders pummelled the Sharks 77-34 in their Super 12 rugby match at Jade Stadium in Christchurch tonight.

The Crusaders scored 11 converted tries, six in the first half when they squeezed the Cats off the ball for the entire second quarter.

However, the momentum swung the Sharks' way for a period in the second half and they scored five tries in succession before the Crusaders came back and added four more to add to centre Casey Laulala's try just three minutes into the second half.

The result firmed the Crusaders' grip on a semifinal spot and hauled them into the top spot (35 points) on the points' table before the rest of the weekend's matches.

Winger Rico Gear scored two tries for the Crusaders to take his tally for the season to 12 and the other winger Caleb Ralph crossed for his 50th for the team.

The victory came at a cost though as the Crusaders' All Blacks lock Chris Jack retired from the game with a leg injury after scoring the team's second try in the 19th minute.

The Sharks earned a bonus point as well for scoring a minimum of four tries but it did nothing to pull them out of the bottom four.

The Crusaders, now favourites for the title, scored their tries through a variety of attacks.

The first by Daniel Carter, who also kicked seven conversions for a total of 19 points, featured brilliant individual skill as he ripped the ball off flanker AJ Venter, kicked ahead, chased regathered and scored.

The second by Jack was started by midfield back Aaron Mauger, who sliced through the defence before the forwards joined in at a breakdown and Jack dived over.

Prop Greg Somerville's try followed a drive from a lineout and lock Ross Filipo's came after quick recycling where halfback Justin Marshall directed play.

The game was over as a contest by halftime when the Crusaders led 42-8, six tries -- all converted by Carter -- to one.

It took the Crusaders less than a minute to give the hapless Cats an indication of their intentions when Carter scored.

The Crusaders were over the goal-line again six minutes later but the ball was held up in a melee.

Halfback Ruan Pienaar kicked a penalty goal and the Sharks went ahead 8-7 when winger Cedric Mhkize finished off some powerful running by Venter, Pienaar, captain John Smith and Brent Russell.

The Crusaders took full control of the proceedings just before the end of the first quarter when Jack scored.

Marshall, prop Greg Somerville, lock Ross Filipo and fullback Leon MacDonald crossed for tries.

The second half was just three minutes old when the Crusaders went further ahead with Laulala's try and Carter kicked his seventh conversion before being replaced by Andrew Mehrtens.

The Sharks, with a nothing-to-lose attitude, moved the ball around swiftly and scored quick tries by lock Albert van den Berg and fullback Brent Russell. Replacement Conrad Barnard converted both.

They deprived the homeside of the ball with a pick-and-drive game and scored another two by flanker Warren Britz and replacement Rudi Keil, one converted by Barnard.

At 49-34, the Sharks seemed content they had bagged a bonus point and the Crusaders' rampage restarted, with Gear crossing for two tries followed by Ralph and replacement Scott Hamilton. Mehrtens nailed all four conversions.

Crusaders 77
(Rico Gear 2, Dan Carter, Chris Jack, Justin Marshall, Greg Somerville, Ross Filipo, Leon MacDonald, Casey Laulala, Caleb Ralph, Scott Hamilton tries, Carter 7 con, Andrew Mehrtens 4 con)

Cats 34
(Cedric Mkhize, Albert van den Berg, Brent Russell, Warren Britz, Rudi Keil tries; Ruan Pienaar pen, Conrad Barnard 3 con).

Halftime: 42-8.

- NZPA