Rugby : Crusaders' 24-19 victory over Western Force in Perth

The Crusaders got their Rebel Sport Super 14 pre-season campaign off to a winning start with at 24-19 victory over the Western Force in Perth on Friday night.

With the match played in three 30-minute thirds in front of a sell-out 17,000 crowd at the Members Equity Stadium, the Western Force were leading 19-17 until the start the final third when Crusaders wing Kade Poki went over for a try which was converted by Hamish Gard for the final 24-19 scoreline.


Flanker George Whitelock had got the Crusaders off to a perfect start with a try in the first minute before the Western Force struck back with a penalty try, awarded for a push on Drew Mitchell.


Josh Tatupu scored another try to give the Western Force a 12-5 lead at the end of the first third and the Aussie team stretched their lead to 19-5 in the second third with a try to Luke Holmes which was converted by Scott Daruda.


However, the Crusaders struck back with another try to George Whitelock, converted by Colin Slade, and wing Jared Payne kept the momentum going for the Crusaders with a try to give narrow the gap to 19-17 at the end of the second third.


Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder was satisfied with the hit-out."The first game's under the belt now and the guys displayed everything that we are looking for," he said. "They showed a lot of desire and physical ability and they tried a few new concepts which us coaches have been introducing to them. Not everything was perfect but the desire was there.


"We were a bit scratchy early. There was a lot of enthusiasm and they were probably trying too hard. We absorbed a lot of pressure and clawed our way back to win the game was was very impressive."


Blackadder said no new injury concerns came out of the match, apart from a few minor cuts and bruises.

Crusaders:
1. Owen Franks (replaced by Wyatt Crockett 65th min)
2. Daniel Perrin (Jason Macdonald 45)
3. Peter Borlase (Bronson Murray 45)
4. James Broadhurst (Michael Paterson 45)
5. Isaac Ross (James Broadhurst 65)
6. Ash Parker (Jonathan Poff 45)
7. George Whitelock (Nasi Manu 65)
8. Nasi Manu (Thomas Waldrom 45)
9. Steve Alfeld (Andy Ellis 45)
10. Colin Slade (Hamish Gard 45)
11. Kade Poki (Colin Slade 76)
12. Ryan Crotty (Tim Bateman 45)
13. Adam Whitelock (Leon MacDonald 82)
14. Jared Payne (Ryan Crotty 85)
15. Leon MacDonald (Casey Laulala 45)

Scorers:

Western Force: Tries: Pen try, Tatupu, Holmes; Con: Daruda (2).
Crusaders: Tries: G Whitelock (2), Payne, Poki. Con: Slade, Gard.

Scores after three thirds:
Western Force 12-5; Western Force 19-17; Crusaders 24-19