CRUSADERS 35
SHARKS 6
Normal Super 14 transmission resumed last night for the seven-time champion Crusaders.
After their Jekyll and Hyde effort in the first two rounds, the Crusaders rediscovered more of their usual potent mix of abrasion and attack to bounce the Sharks to their third straight loss.
New signing Zac Guildford confirmed the win when he blindsided an optimistic Sharks breakout attempt from their 22 and intercepted for an easy canter to his second try of the night. Soon after, Adam Whitelock converted more continuity and with a minute remaining, the Crusaders claimed a bonus-point final try from replacement Quentin Macdonald.
The multiple Crusaders' error rate last week in Brisbane was replaced by dynamic interplay and a passionate performance from the defensive line.
Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder promised there would be a great deal more resolve, belief and resilience from his side after they bled points at Suncorp Stadium a week ago. He altered a few players and ramped up the heat on his men.
At the interval he was satisfied his orders had provoked the right response. The Crusaders had made the bulk of the play without getting enormous reward but Blackadder was confident pressure would tell.
It looked as though his assurance was well-placed when No 8 Thomas Waldrom burst on to an Andy Ellis pass and was away to the line before referee Chris Pollock's whistle recalled him for a forward pass. The decision was a boon for the Sharks in a third quarter in which they were under enormous pressure yet somehow conceded just a solitary penalty to Daniel Carter.
He eased over another handy penalty before the final-quarter try concession as the Sharks failed to repel the Crusaders' intensity and the jetlag effects of travelling.
There was a bruising start with Sharks frontrowers Bismarck du Plessis and John Smit both damaged in the opening movement and Crusaders lock Brad Thorn then warned for a dangerous tackle from which Rory Kockott kicked a superb 53m penalty.
Set-piece dramas came, with the Sharks incurring the displeasure of referee Pollock for their scrum engagements while the Crusaders got a tickle-up in early lineouts.
Both sides had their defensive clout in gear. They hammered each other close to the gain line for the opening quarter until a Crusaders' tackle jolted the ball clear for George Whitelock to regather and surge 30m.
When his teammates failed to propel the flanker across the line, the ball was regathered and sent out left for Jared Payne to draw several defenders and then drop the pass off to Guildford who danced past the cover.
There was another penalty each as it seemed the Crusaders were starting to gain the advantage in the territory statistics.
Crusaders 35: Z Guildford 2, A Whitelock, Q McDonald, tries; D Carter 3 con, 3 pen
Sharks 6: R Kockott 2 pen
