Crusaders' win lifts spirits in earthquake-ravaged city

For 80 minutes last night, Crusaders fans in Christchurch tried to put the agony and tragedy of the past 10 days to the back of their minds and cheer on their team against the Waratahs. Photo / Getty Images

Last week's earthquake still dominates the thoughts of Cantabrians. In supermarkets, welfare centres and on the quake-scarred streets people ask each other where they were at 12.51pm on February 22, do they have water or power at their home, what damage is there on their property, do they know anyone who died as a result of the 6.3 magnitude quake?

But for 80 minutes last night, Crusaders fans in this proud rugby province tried to put the agony and tragedy of the past 10 days to the back of their minds and cheer on their team against the Waratahs.

The game was to be played at AMI Stadium in Christchurch but because of the quake it was moved to Nelson. And on a day when New Zealanders around the country wore red and black in solidarity with Cantabrians, the Crusaders wore red and white - the colours of the West Coast provincial side - a commitment made following the Pike River Mine tragedy last year.

A moment's silence prior to kick off paid tribute both to the 29 miners who died following the November mine blasts, and the more than 200 dead or missing after last week's devastating quake.

Fans who might have gone to the game in Christchurch now found themselves looking for an open pub screening the big game.

At the Mac's Bar in the Mackenzie Backpackers in Wainoni, more than 100 fans gathered, most donning their province's colours.

Before the game, Mike Poulter, of Avonside, picked the Crusaders by 14 points and over.

"There is absolutely no way we will be beaten by these Aussies, and for Christ's sake, don't say they're going to let us win," he said.

Mr Poulter, sporting a Crusaders jersey, believed the game would be "one of the greatest games of the season, because we need to win".

"That's why I'm wearing this jersey - we're staunch and we've been through so much bullshit," he said.

"We've got no power or water, but we're amongst friends. Everyone will be watching that TV.

"We'll win by at least 14, mate. But if we win by 4, it won't matter."

But in the first 20 minutes the game did not go to plan.

Tom Carter scored in the corner for the Waratahs after only five minutes. A few fair-weather fans walked out of the Mac's Bar.

After the second try, scored by Luke Burgess after 20 minutes to give the Waratahs a 13-6 lead, a few more headed for the door.

"Maybe next week," one woman said as she left.

However those who stayed were rewarded minutes later when Robbie Fruean intercepted a pass on the halfway line to score between the sticks, giving the Crusaders back the lead. Minutes later, Fruean had his second.

The fans in Nelson, a sea of red and black basking under a fiery red sky, were enjoying their team's first half comeback, as were the fans at the Mackenzie Backpackers.

At half time, with the team leading 26-13, talk of the earthquake was never far away.

Shaun of Christchurch said the Crusaders winning was not as important as the people of Christchurch enjoying a night out.

"Everybody catching up and making sure that everyone's fine, talking to everybody, saying 'what's happening on your side of town?'

"It's the whole whanau thing, eh?"

Shaun said regulars from five quake-affected bars in the eastern suburbs had gathered at Mac's Bar to catch up with each other and enjoy the rugby.

Straight after the break Sonny Bill Williams gave fans in Nelson, the Mackenzie Backpackers and across Canterbury more to cheer about, scoring under the posts.

The try was met with cries of "Sonny Bill" in the Wainoni pub, fans having clearly taken to the league convert.

Once the score blew out the cheering stopped - the fans just smiled.

A 72nd-minute consolation try by Afa Pakalini for the Waratahs did little to dampen spirits and when the final whistle came, the Crusaders had the win their fans needed, 33-18.

Paul, a regular at Coop's Place in New Brighton, wore the red and black at Mac's Bar and was happy with the result.

"The city's a wreck but like any developing site, you've got to start somewhere - and we're starting at the bottom," he said.

"I'm happy. It's got to lift your spirits, eh? We've been cheering all night. It's what it's all about."