Crusaders 17-0 Highlanders: Crusaders reach Super Rugby semi-finals
By Reuters
Last Updated: 22/07/17 1:17pm
The Crusaders shone in atrocious conditions in Christchurch to storm into the semi-finals of Super Rugby with an emphatic 17-0 win over the Highlanders.
Chasing their eighth title and first since 2008, the Crusaders will remain in Christchurch next week to meet either the Stormers or the Chiefs who play later on Saturday in Cape Town, live on Sky Sports Action from 3.55pm.
Driving rain and wind greeted both teams at a sodden AMI Stadium but the conditions played into the hands of the home side's dominant pack while dampening the Highlanders' attacking firepower.
Front-rowers Joe Moody and Codie Taylor rumbled over for tries to drive the Crusaders to a 17-0 lead at half-time that the Highlanders were unable to budge in the second half.
"It wouldn't have been the prettiest to watch but both sides just got on with it and didn't complain," Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said.
"The weather was great for us and we really embraced it. We knew if we could be clean on the penalty count we would give ourselves a great opportunity."
With severe flooding and three South Island regions under a state of emergency, the Highlanders' preparations were thrown into disarray by the weather, their flight to Christchurch cancelled on Friday and their arrival delayed until seven hours before kick-off.
The 2015 champions hardly laid a finger on the ball in the first half and committed a rash of penalties to give the Crusaders all the momentum.
"I thought technically they were probably a bit smarter in the way they played," Highlanders captain Ben Smith said.
"Once they got down into our 22, they used the ball really wisely."
The Highlanders emerged after the break with renewed commitment and stopped their opponents from scoring but were unable to capitalise on their few drives forward.
Crusaders fly-half Richie Mo'unga slotted an early penalty but missed another shot 20 minutes later that would have stretched the lead to 6-0.
The Crusaders' forwards then flexed their muscles, however, winning a decisive scrum near the half-hour mark that resulted in a five-metre lineout.
A few minutes of bashing against the Highlanders' defence along the tryline ended with referee Angus Gardner awarding a contentious pick-and-go try to prop Moody under a pile of players.
Controversy threatened again five minutes later when the Crusaders rumbled over from a lineout drive and were awarded the try on the field.
It was cancelled moments later after the television match official was unable to see the ball grounded.
It scarcely mattered as the Crusaders rumbled forward again, allowing hooker Taylor to score another pick-and-go try on the stroke of half-time.
Mo'unga duly converted and the Crusaders maintained their iron-willed discipline to close out a rousing win and warm the hearts of rain-soaked fans in the terraces.