Crusaders move second after thrashing Stormers

Crusaders Rico Gear chases down Gaffie du Toit. Picture / Fotopress

CAPE TOWN - The Crusaders moved to second in the Super 12 standings after an emphatic 51-23 win over the Stormers at Newlands this morning.

A devastating second half performance by the four-time champions ruined the Stormers realistic chances of making the semi-finals and inflicted their second heaviest home defeat.

The New Zealanders scored 48 second half points including seven tries to move to 25 points in the standings, level with the Hurricanes and six points adrift of leaders New South Wales Waratahs.

Crusaders first five-eighths Daniel Carter scored 17 points, from a try, three conversions and two penalties, to take his personal tally to 403 points in the competition. Wings Caleb Ralph and Rico Gear each scored two tries.

After a torrid first half where grim Stormers defence kept the visitors at bay, the second half was just about one-way traffic to the Stormers line.

The rout started with a try to left wing Ralph in the 42nd minute, which was followed by a Carter penalty and a try for Gear in the next eight minutes.

The Stormers briefly fought back thanks to a third Chris Rossouw penalty and an opportunist intercept try by centre Marius Joubert in the 55th minute.

The Crusaders though, upped the tempo and ran in a further five tries to ensure that a semi-final berth is in reach with four rounds to play.

SUPER 12 TABLE:
(Team, Games played, Points)
Waratahs 8 31
Crusaders 7 25
Hurricanes 7 25
Highlanders 7 23
Blues 7 21
Brumbies 8 20
Bulls 7 16
Chiefs 7 14
Stormers 7 12
Reds 7 8
Cats 7 7
Sharks 7 6

- REUTERS, HERALD ONLINE STAFF