HSBC Waratahs hit by Crusaders comeback
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Friday, 21 March 2008
NSWRU Media Unit
The HSBC Waratahs took the lead in the second half of their Super 14 clash tonight, however a dramatic comeback earned the Crusaders a 34-7 victory at AMI Stadium, Christchurch.
Rocky Elsom collides with Daniel Carter
Rocky Elsom collides with Daniel Carter
Great colour ... AMI Stadium - Christchurch
Great colour ... AMI Stadium - Christchurch
Wycliff Palu grapples with Casey Laulala
Wycliff Palu grapples with Casey Laulala
Lote Tuqiri looking strong
Lote Tuqiri looking strong
After falling behind in the 50th minute, the Crusaders scored 28 unanswered points in 26 minutes to streak away to a bonus point victory and maintain their position at the top of the table.
Two Dan Carter penalties were all that separated the two sides going into the break, with both defences doing well to shut down any attacking opportunity.
The Waratahs first serious foray in the second stanza bore a strong result when Brett Sheehan targeted the fringe of the ruck. Drawing two defenders, Sheehan offloaded to Tatafu-Polota-Nau who found himself in space before drawing the fullback and shifting the ball inside to his flatmate Wycliff Palu.
Palu touched down under the posts and when Kurtley Beale converted the Waratahs led 7-6.
However a stroke of brilliance in the 54th minute swung the momentum straight back to the Crusaders, when Casey Laulala fielded a midfield bomb, spun away from tacklers and sprinted 35m to score in the corner.
When Dan Carter converted from the sideline, the Crusaders were back out to a six point buffer.
The home side switched up a gear once they hit the lead, with the forwards taking it on themselves to edge their way towards the Waratahs line through the pick-and-drive.
With the match in the balance, Mose Tuiali'i burrowed over in the 17th phase of predominantly forward-controlled attack, and when Wyatt Crockett scored next to the posts in the 72nd minute, the match was out of the Waratahs reach at 27-7.
The Waratahs never gave up though, and came within a metre of scoring, however a great counter by the Crusaders allowed them the field position to push for a bonus point.
In the shadows of full time, Brad Thorn tapped down a cross-field kick into the arms of Scott Hamilton who touched down near the posts just before the siren.
Wycliff Palu's second half try earned another $500 for 'Score for Charity'. HSBC is donating $500 for every try scored, and $1000 for every fourth try scored by the Waratahs, to the Score for Charity program, which raises money for HSBCkids, the tutoring and mentoring program run by HSBC and children's charity Barnardos.
The Waratahs fly back to Sydney tomorrow before taking on the Cheetahs at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday, 28 March.
Crusaders 34
Tries: Casey Laulala, Mose Tuiali'i, Wyatt Crockett, Scott Hamilton
Conversions: Dan Carter 4/4
Penalties: Dan Carter 2/2
HSBC Waratahs 7
Tries: Wycliff Palu
Conversions: Kurtley Beale 1/1
By the clock
2nd - Dan Carter penalty. Crusaders 3 HSBC Waratahs 0
39th - Dan Carter penalty. Crusaders 6 HSBC Waratahs 0
Half Time - Crusaders 6 HSBC Waratahs 0
50th - Wycliff Palu try; Kurtley Beale conversion. Crusaders 6 HSBC Waratahs 7
54th - Casey Laulala try; Dan Carter conversion. Crusaders 13 HSBC Waratahs 7
65th - Mose Tuiali'i try; Dan Carter conversion. Crusaders 20 HSBC Waratahs 7
72nd - Wyatt Crockett try; Dan Carter conversion. Crusaders 27 HSBC Waratahs 7
79th - Scott Hamilton try; Dan Carter conversion. Crusaders 34 HSBC Waratahs 7
Full Time - Crusaders 34 HSBC Waratahs 7
HSBC Score for Charity Tally: 12 tries, $6000
HSBC is donating $500 for every try scored, and $1000 for every fourth try scored by the Waratahs, to the Score for Charity program, which raises money for HSBCkids, the tutoring and mentoring program run by HSBC and children's charity Barnardos.