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Shot into the spotlight at the last moment, rookie Crusaders winger Sean Maitland emerged as a special hero in a clinical 22-0 Super 14 rugby win over the Stormers in Cape Town today.
Maitland scored the second half try that sealed the Crusaders' first unbeaten visit to South Africa since 2002, latching on to the end of pinpoint cross kick by Daniel Carter.
His first Super 14 try in his first run-on start came after a nervous opening, after he was plucked off the bench moments before kickoff to replace Kade Poki, who pulled a hamstring in the warm-up.
By the end, Maitland was bristling with confidence and aggression.
He was unlucky not to score a second try when he finished a trademark Crusaders counterattack, his touchdown ruled out by a touchie's flag deep on the other side of halfway.
Coach Robbie Deans singled Maitland out for a positive mention, saying he had overcome the shock of being suddenly thrown into the starting line up.
"He settled down and got on with it," Deans told NZPA, touting his display and try as among the pleasing aspects of the game.
"He's a player you'll see a bit more of, I suspect."
Few Super 14 sides have managed to hold their opponents to zero, especially in South Africa.
Deans called it a "great effort", saying the defence had been exceptional.
"The boys can be proud of themselves," he said.
"We created a lot of chances - we didn't finish all of them, we'll have to work on that. It's just a step, but it's a significant step."
After stifling the Stormers with their defence - not allowing them even a shot at goal - the Crusaders were never in trouble, scoring a try and two penalties in each half.
Two penalties by first five-eighth Carter and a try to halfback Andy Ellis from a blindside sneak had the Crusaders 11 - 0 up at halftime.
After the break, the bottom-placed Stormers' defensive dam threatened to burst apart, but they laboured away grimly to prevent the Crusaders notching a four-try bonus point.
A massive score seemed in the offing when Carter slotted his third penalty in the 49th minute.
Two minutes later it was 19-0, when Maitland dotted down.
With 21 minutes left, the Crusaders stretched their lead to 22-0 on the back of another Carter penalty but could not add to that score.
The win took the Crusaders - who beat the champion Bulls 54-19 last weekend in Pretoria - to the top of the table.
The unbeaten Blues could move past them overnight, if the secure a bonus point win over the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
Crusaders captain and man-of-the-match Richie McCaw said it was pleasing to win twice in South Africa.
"We defended very well and created opportunities," he said.
Other outstanding Crusaders were No 8 Mose Tuiali'i, hooker Corey Flynn and fullback Leon MacDonald.
- NZPA
