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00:00First half, eight in fact, six to the Crusaders, two to the Drua, and at halftime here at Apollo
00:06Project Stadium, Crusaders 38, Fiji and Drua 12.
00:13Apollo Project Stadium in Christchurch for the last time, and the Crusaders turning it
00:19on in the first half, 38 to 12.
00:23Well, they've been here since 2012.
00:25In those days it was AMI Stadium, then it was Orange Theory Stadium, now it's Apollo
00:31Project Stadium, and the Crusaders have won four titles on this ground, and that's the
00:4215 that took the field, but they have made changes with Seb Corder on in place of Fletcher
00:49Newell and Braden Enor in place of Dallas McLeod, and no changes so far.
00:55The P.G. and Drua.
01:01Okay, time's going on, guys.
01:05Poor whistle, poor whistle, poor whistle, poor Williams, post the whistle.
01:10He's got a new name, that fella.
01:14Sensational.
01:17Righto.
01:18So, the Drua.
01:20Well, this is a bit like the Crusaders when they got the kickoff.
01:23They fired it out into midfield.
01:26Okay, it's a tackle there.
01:29I can't use it.
01:30So, now finds Liyawasa.
01:33The one-time Wallaby played three tests for the Wallabies.
01:36Stop here, stop here.
01:37As Armstrong, Ravula, clears it away, not into touch.
01:41Taken by Kemera.
01:42Fires it back to Rhys.
01:44Good defence, though, by the Drua.
01:46And they close Severus down.
01:49What do you reckon, Marci?
01:54Poor whistle.
01:56I'm in recovery mode from poor whistle.
02:03Poor whistle.
02:04Poor whistle.
02:05It's a beauty.
02:06It's a beauty.
02:07That's going to stick.
02:14Right, Taylor gets it in.
02:18That's good.
02:20Certainly one.
02:22Maybe two tries in the first half.
02:24Using this.
02:27More.
02:28And this is looking promising again.
02:30Taylor's still got it.
02:32And now he's giving it away to Leo Ali.
02:35And he's getting close.
02:39Now Chapman shovels it across to Shelfoon.
02:43Snapped up and it's a try.
02:47Guess who?
02:47And guess who?
02:49He's got a hat-trick.
02:51I tell you, and to me that shows what it means to Cody Taylor tonight.
02:56He had his club rugby team out here doing his haka for him from their club.
03:01He had his family here as he walked out.
03:03And it's not often you see this man show that much emotion.
03:06He really don't.
03:07And I think that he knows what it means at the stadium tonight to be a part of this side
03:14that has formulated this incredible 14 years at this stadium.
03:19And for him to score a hat-trick tonight and for him to score a hat-trick tonight and to
03:21show that sort of emotion, absolutely brilliant for him.
03:25Yeah.
03:26I couldn't agree more, Marshy.
03:28And for him to score a hat-trick tonight and for him to score a hat-trick tonight and for
03:30so many years, Crusader Ford Packs have rolled up their sleeves and gone to work.
03:34And he's done it again tonight.
03:36And that's an outstanding sideline conversion.
03:39And that's an outstanding coach.
03:40And that's fantastic.
03:41And that's another one.
03:42Yes.
03:43Mr's first couple did Tahakevera, but he has been outstanding off the tee since then.
03:50And it's 45-12.
03:52He's got a kickoff.
03:58Armstrong Ravula with the kickoff.
04:02He's taken down again by Hannah.
04:08Here is Taylor.
04:12We'll hear from Geoff very shortly about what they spoke about in the dressing room.
04:19Chapman hooks it away downfield.
04:22Knocked back by the Crusaders.
04:29So it's an accidental offside.
04:33Fiji and Drew will get a free kick.
04:39Now finds Liyawasa Ravula Armstrong taken up by Hettit.
04:52Closing down the ability of the Fiji and Drew to get it wide.
04:58Now Narsilu Sula.
04:59Okay, open up red.
05:05Yep, play. This play's got a roll.
05:07So away goes Liyawasa.
05:11Needs to link up. Has done with Salawa.
05:15Brilliant hands by Mataeli.
05:17A proven try-scorer.
05:19The ex-Crusaders.
05:22Now Armstrong Ravula for Namoti.
05:29Away it goes again. This time Bakatara.
05:32Lovely pass.
05:33And the try is scored.
05:36He gets his second.
05:38Ilaia Thana Kaibaka.
05:40Oh, that's Drua rugby.
05:42But more importantly, Fijian rugby at its utmost best.
05:47The ability to see space, find space, and then equally come up with some sensational handling and offloads.
05:57Finds Liyawasa started it.
05:59Then the hands from Manasa Mataeli to pick it up off his shins.
06:04And then as they swung it back across.
06:07Nice and strong.
06:08A beautiful offload.
06:10And then in goes Tana Kaibaka.
06:13Man, that is some sort of try.
06:15Yeah, Drua rugby at its very best.
06:16Like you say, Marshy.
06:18Keeping the ball alive.
06:19Playing with pace.
06:20Playing with power.
06:21And it's a treasure to watch.
06:23And one of the things that Glenn Jackson talked about at half-time.
06:26Play with the ball.
06:27Play more rugby.
06:29Oh, that's not a bad kick.
06:31Oh, yes, it's in.
06:33Off the upright.
06:35From Armstrong-Ragula.
06:38And it's 45-19.
06:46And it's 45-19.
06:56So the kick-off.
06:57Oh, now see, let's see what has spilled it.
07:02Well, both sides playing from that end of the ground have had real problems at kick-off, Tom.
07:09OK, let's go to Geoff now.
07:11What have they talked about in the dressing room, Geoff?
07:13Well, the Drua, like I say, they wanted to play with ball in hand.
07:15They needed to be more physical.
07:16They were letting this Crusaders team come at them.
07:20And that defence on the inside channel where those inside passes were coming.
07:24They needed to fill that space and make sure there were no holes there for the Crusaders.
07:28It was about their defence and their discipline.
07:30Making sure they stayed accurate and they kept players on the park.
07:33And they themselves keep attacking, keep playing, keep looking after position.
07:39Really interesting set-up here for Crusaders.
07:41Very, very tight.
07:42Obviously, Whanganuku and Enor have swapped around with McLeod off.
07:45He's now in the 12th position and lurking out the back and inside is Fihaki.
07:51Good solid scrum here.
07:53And they'll get a penalty out of this for sure.
07:56There it is.
07:58Right here is Whanganuku.
07:59Oh, it's a loose pass.
08:01But it doesn't matter because they have a penalty back at the scrum.
08:05They did really well to maintain being straight and then it just weaved around at the last minute.
08:10Last second, sorry.
08:13Quickly taken by Chapman.
08:15Away for Kemara.
08:19Nice work there.
08:20Getting the ball over the top was Dom Gardner on the field.
08:26Now Callow.
08:32Crusaders through Will Jordan.
08:36So, a penalty advantage coming here against the Gruer.
08:43Chapman serves it up.
08:45Enor.
08:45Over the top it goes.
08:48And guess who?
08:54Guess who?
08:56He's got four, Cody Taylor.
09:00Who was on him straight away?
09:02It was Leicester Whanganuku really liking what I'm seeing.
09:05They're just giving him more license tonight.
09:07They've been using him as a batting around.
09:09Why do I say it?
09:09Because of this.
09:10Check this out.
09:11Rips it right to left.
09:13Bridge pass.
09:1420 metres into the hands of Cody Taylor.
09:17And why not?
09:18Why shouldn't he run in for Jeff?
09:19Well, I'll tell you what.
09:20If you've got him in super rugby fantasy and he's your captain.
09:23Game on.
09:28Oh, the smile on his face.
09:30He tells the story.
09:32Every time.
09:36Every time that the draw have struck, the Crusaders have immediately come back at them.
09:44Really goal kicking well now.
09:47Taha Kemera lands another one.
09:50And it's 52 points to 19.
09:57Well, I think the coaches have had enough.
10:00Bells up.
10:01George Bells off.
10:03Jersey's up.
10:04Mouth got to be in quickly.
10:06Taylor, we've got a rousing round of applause.
10:07Just wait for it.
10:08He won't be far away.
10:10Are we all good to go now?
10:11Okay.
10:16So, back to halfway for the umpteenth time tonight.
10:19As the kick-off is made.
10:23Well, that's accidentally offside.
10:26Just off the foot.
10:26Just off the foot.
10:27Then the green player picked up.
10:32Not deliberate.
10:33Just a reaction.
10:37That's the green foot.
10:38Then goes for.
10:38Four tries by a hooker.
10:42Got a feeling Dane Cole's got four one night for somebody.
10:48Play on, guys.
10:49Tackle mode.
10:50Will Jordan takes it down.
10:53Now Chapman, Shelfoon, away for Whanganuku.
10:58Good defence on him this time, though.
11:00Now Taylor fires it away to Reece.
11:03Pass is gone just for it.
11:05Cross it goes for Taylor Cahill, who's on the puck.
11:11As the Crusaders ring the changes.
11:13Not surprisingly.
11:16Kelo.
11:18Nice pass away for Braden Enor.
11:22Now Chapman again.
11:24Whanganuku Taylor.
11:26He's lost it in contact.
11:28So the ball's been turned over.
11:30And Rua Sesi heads off on a bit of a run.
11:32No, no, no, no way now.
11:34No, no, no way now.
11:34No, no, no way now.
11:35No, no, no way now.
11:35No, no way now.
11:36Finds Leawasa.
11:38Vakatawa.
11:39Hands it off to Hettit.
11:43No, no way now.
11:44No way now.
11:47The ball is there.
11:48Right on the halfway line for Fines Leawasa.
11:51Again hits it.
11:59Plenty of lined up here.
12:00Mata Eli had to hold on.
12:03Yep, that's right, that's right.
12:04George Bauer almost got a hold of that.
12:10Vakatawa fights his way down the halfway.
12:16Good charge here by Tuwai.
12:18Yep, that's right.
12:19You haven't secured that ruck.
12:21Crusaders have gone through.
12:22Crusaders have walked over the top of this.
12:25It's all getting a little bit messy at the moment.
12:28Now the ball has slipped away for Johnny Lee.
12:34And the penalty.
12:35He didn't have a hand under there as well.
12:37So body and ball.
12:39That's when he gets the right arm under the ball and lifts.
12:58There's that change.
13:03Coming for the Crusaders.
13:05Hey, boys!
13:06Hey!
13:07Hey!
13:07Sliding right down to where in a second.
13:11Four tries, 150 games for the Crusaders.
13:17And, this crowd is going, come in to their feet.
13:20As are their coaching staff.
13:22Just hold him, hold him, hold him, hold him, hold him.
13:36That's awesome.
13:41Crusaders have turned over the line-out.
13:47And it's fallen loose, and off goes Tabani.
13:51He scored a try earlier for the Drawer.
13:58Now, away it goes to Armstrong Ravula.
14:02Here's Nnamothi.
14:05He gets it away nicely for Tuwai.
14:10Leawasa.
14:13Slips it away for Tongi Atama.
14:25Stuck around the 10-meter line here, the Drawer.
14:32Back on the inside, it goes for Penny Rabai, one of the more experienced players coming off the bench.
14:38Tongi Atama finds Leawasa.
14:48Armstrong Ravula, good hands.
14:50This man scored two already tonight.
15:02The way it goes.
15:05Armstrong Ravula.
15:06A little kicked through by Rabitu.
15:11Now the chaser's on.
15:14splitting hands.
15:19Manasseh Mataeli
15:21Manasseh Mataeli
15:22Did I say earlier
15:24He picked one up off his shins
15:27And it was pretty good
15:28Well this is even better somehow
15:31Here's the kick across
15:32Goes into space
15:34Shafihaki tries to catch it and flick it back
15:36Mataeli kicks it forward
15:38And then scoops it up whilst nearly falling over
15:41But when he does fall over
15:43It's over the chalk
15:43Piece of brilliance
15:45Individual brilliance by Manasseh Mataeli
15:47Absolutely
15:48Just on the half
15:49That's brilliant isn't it
15:51Absolutely brilliant
15:52The former crusader
15:54He's played a lot around this country
15:56And he'll enjoy that
16:00It's through a team
16:01They will not give up
16:03They will continue to play
16:04And the more chaos
16:06The better it is for them
16:09And they'll keep chasing here
16:10Regardless of the scoreline
16:17Nice kick
16:22So they are halfway there
16:25Change of hooker for them
16:27Babuti has come on for
16:29Tungitama
16:30Here's the finish
16:31This was impressive
16:32Really really good
16:37The earlier one was off his shins
16:38That's off his toes
16:45So the kickoff
16:46So the kickoff
16:46Taken down by
16:48The druah
16:49Who looked really good
16:50With the ball in hand
16:52Have tested the crusader's defence
16:57Now
16:58When we thought about it
17:01Decided to set it up
17:03And Vakatawa
17:05We got a hold of it
17:06But he knocked it on
17:07In the process
17:09I see what you were trying to do
17:11But it did go forward on the ground
17:12Yeah
17:12I think he just
17:15Vakatawa
17:16As he tried to pick it up
17:17Just propelled it a little bit
17:18Towards his own goal line
17:20So a knock on
17:22I do agree
17:23With what you said
17:24In terms of chaos
17:25Jeff
17:26That the druah
17:27Would survive better
17:28In that type of
17:31Game plan
17:34I feel that the crusaders
17:36Will want to keep their structure
17:37Rob Penny
17:37Will want to keep their
17:39Discipline in that regard
17:40Chiefs versus
17:42Waratahs
17:43Tomorrow
17:43We're on air from 6.30
17:457 o'clock kickoff
17:46Looking forward to that one
17:47Nisbo
17:47Yep
17:48Chibi of beauty
17:49And the only other game
17:51In the weekend
17:52Has the Reds
17:53At home
17:59So the crusaders
18:00Putting pressure on
18:01At strum time
18:03So it's a penalty
18:04Advantage here
18:05As Whanganuku
18:07Puts a little kick in
18:08But
18:08There's no advantage
18:10And it's supposed to be
18:11Consistent
18:12Justin
18:12I'll have to say
18:13The referee has blown
18:14The Williams
18:16He certainly has
18:24The point I'm trying to make is
18:28Somehow
18:30That
18:31What Rob Penny
18:32They've got three tough games
18:34Coming up
18:34Two on the road
18:35They go
18:35To Brisbane
18:36And then to Perth
18:37And then back for the Waratahs
18:39Three Australian teams
18:39On the bounce
18:40Rob Penny
18:40Won't want this game
18:41To turn into sevens
18:42They'll want the team
18:43To maintain its structure
18:44And its discipline
18:45Regardless of all the changes
18:47And try and keep their shape
18:50So George Bell
18:52With his first line out
18:54Throw of the evening
18:55Now this is looking a bit like
18:58Something we've seen before
18:59In this game
19:00If Bell gets a hold of it
19:01And it carries on this way
19:07So Bell has got it
19:10Has to release it up
19:11For Chapman
19:14Flying Anuku
19:15Playing an offside advantage here
19:17And Chapman again
19:18Will Jordan
19:19He's not on the try sheet
19:21Just yet
19:22And he won't be
19:23Right now either
19:25But
19:26Back to the penalty
19:27We go
19:28Came sweeping across
19:29From the right to the left
19:30I can tell you
19:31Second rower
19:33Joe Tamani
19:34Did a really good job
19:35To cut Will Jordan down
19:36When he's on that sort of movement
19:38And looks to take you
19:39On the outside
19:40And you're a second rower
19:42You're in the panic room
19:43I can tell you that much
19:44He did well to get him
19:45On the ground
19:46Yeah there's some good athletes
19:47Out there though
19:48And he's a big man
19:49And
19:49He has reached out
19:51And just
19:51I think at the same time
19:52As the tackle
19:53He's got the ball
19:54But you're right
19:55When Will Jordan gets to that
19:57With that momentum
19:58Going sideways
19:59Just watch here
20:00And
20:01Yeah
20:02The big dive
20:02And just enough
20:03Just enough
20:06Oh yep
20:07Just on the arm
20:10Change for the draw
20:12Valatini
20:13He is coming on
20:16That's for
20:17Midfielder
20:18Makataba
20:21Coach
20:24Mine
20:25I like the right here
20:26Big time
20:288-9
20:28Will Jordan
20:30Jay Fihaki
20:33Well firstly
20:34It'd be the strum power
20:37And off the back goes
20:38Callow
20:40Still going
20:41Corey Callow
20:42Did he get it down?
20:45I think he did
20:46I think the ball
20:47Went on the ground
20:47I'm not sure he's holding on to it
20:49Well look where Paul Williams is
20:50Yeah
20:52Yeah he's doing the right thing here
20:57Guys
20:59Yeah
21:00I'm going to come to you
21:02Yeah
21:02At this stage I've got the ball held up
21:04So I'm going to restart with the goal line drop out
21:06But I do have the ball down on the ground late
21:09And it's quite late
21:10And I do have a protest of the ball being held up as well
21:12So
21:13Checking the grounding
21:14Yeah
21:15Sorry
21:15Confirm
21:16I don't have any doubt that he scored this
21:17It's just whether or not he had control
21:19Or if he put it down
21:20Certainly
21:21Will you watch here
21:21This is a perfect angle
21:22There on the ground
21:23Yeah I think it's a try too
21:25100%
21:25Yeah
21:27He just sort of
21:27He just rolls himself underneath doesn't he
21:29And he turns the ball over I think
21:32Yeah
21:33To me that's a try
21:34Yeah
21:34Absolutely
21:37What power
21:38Strength
21:41Appears to yeah
21:43Paul
21:43Yeah
21:44We have a clear grounding
21:45Please overturn your decision
21:46And award the try
21:47Okay thanks mate
21:48So he does get the ball grounded
21:50It is going to be a try
21:53So the try given to Corey Kellough
21:57He did well Corey Kellough
21:59Off the back of the scrum
22:00I honestly did think he probably should have given it to Chapman
22:02They had worked the overlap
22:03See the width he got
22:04So he brought them in
22:05Jordan and Co
22:06And Fihaki were free
22:07He held on to it Kellough
22:09But he got some support
22:10To help drive him over
22:11But just here now
22:13You see that
22:14I think it was Gardner and Co
22:18Yeah great determination for me
22:20Yes
22:20And there's some changes
22:23Another couple
22:24And it looks like Jack Sexton is on
22:26Debut
22:28Big moment
22:28Proud moment for him
22:29And his dad
22:30As the conversion
22:32Is missed
22:33And Bauer comes off
22:36There as well
22:46So 57-26
22:50Nine tries
22:51Scored by the Crusaders
22:53Tonight
22:54And up goes Taylor Cahill
22:57And brings it in
23:02Just coming up to the three quarter mark in this game
23:08Lester Whanganuku
23:10He's moving
23:11Balls there
23:12Okay
23:12Whole feet there guys
23:13Chaser
23:16Now Chapman
23:17Been touched by a Fijian player
23:21And it's been knocked on by a Crusaders player
23:28So
23:29Jack Sexton on
23:31Justin
23:31You would know the old man pretty well
23:33Yeah
23:33Yeah I did
23:34Son of Matt Sexton
23:35And he was a great
23:37And first Crusader as well
23:39Played in the front row at Hooker
23:41His son is a prop
23:43And I'm sure it's Dan
23:44He's very very proud
23:45To see his son run out there
23:47In a Crusaders jersey
23:48He'd take any jersey
23:49But for it to be a Crusaders one
23:51On debut
23:53He'll be very proud Dan
23:54Imagine those scrum sessions at home
23:56Oh how much fun would that be
23:57How much time have they spent
23:58What should we do today
24:00Oh let's go put down a scrum
24:01Against each other
24:02Just
24:03Just for fun
24:04In the back yard
24:14That's a Fijian draw
24:16Strump
24:17And Balisala
24:18Oh and a set by Fihaki
24:22Try number 10 tonight
24:25For the Crusaders
24:27As
24:30Che Fihaki
24:31Strolls over
24:32Che Fihaki
24:34He is in some sort of form
24:36At the moment
24:37He has to be in
24:38All sorts of conversations
24:41Because of the way
24:42That he's playing
24:42He's been sniffing in there
24:43All day
24:44And they should have been
24:45Very wary of it
24:46The druah
24:46He's not biting in hard
24:48But he's just sort of
24:49Saying to them
24:50I'm trying to
24:51Deceive you
24:52That there is space out there
24:53I'm in your way
24:54I'm in your eyeline
24:54And they just didn't
24:55Pick him out
24:56The minute that he caught it
24:57There was absolutely no
24:58Chance that druah
24:59Sesi
25:00Who's right there
25:00On the inside
25:01In Jules in 15
25:02Was going to be able
25:03To stop him
25:04Because he was in
25:04The set play
25:05Yeah I agree with you
25:07Just in regards to his form
25:10Conversion's going to go over
25:11And the score
25:13Continues to grow
25:14But Fihaki has been
25:16In really strong form
25:18Really accurate as well
25:19In 2026
25:20He's a guy who's
25:23Touched the all black jersey
25:24And I think that
25:27The way he's playing right now
25:29He'll be in that conversation
25:30Because the skill set
25:31Is very very good
25:34Totally agree
25:37Fourteen tries in this game
25:41Armstrong
25:42Ravula kicks off
25:43This time
25:44It doesn't work out
25:45For the Crusaders
25:46And it was
25:47Seve Rees
25:48Who had to rush in
25:50Fire Minuku
25:54Now Chapman
25:55To launch a kick
25:56Down towards halfway
26:01Nobody initially touched the ball
26:03Now it's back on the inside
26:05And the Fijian drua
26:07In possession
26:08Through Tuwai
26:12Back on the inside
26:22Replacement hooker, Rathusi.
26:28Big, solid ball carriers in this Fijian Brewer side.
26:35It's Tom Guidi.
26:44Oh, Sammy Riesa's got it.
26:50Talk about chaos.
26:51Chaos, alright.
26:53It's a bit of a real fight for the breakdown position there.
26:59I just want to say, I believe there's a sub happening and it'll let you do it, Geoff, but I
27:02just want to say,
27:02the man that had to step in, Louis Chapman, has done an outstanding game.
27:06He had to come in late for Noah Hotham and he's done an outstanding job here in that nine jersey.
27:14Yeah, really good. I concur. I think he's been really good.
27:17Noah Hotham not quite healthy enough to get out there today and so he comes into the starting spot.
27:22Remember, Cole Preston's in and around the squad as well.
27:25When you get small opportunities, if you can go and perform like he has tonight, you should be very proud
27:30of yourself.
27:31So he's done it well. And Mitch Drummond, who professes to have played the most number of games on this
27:38ground between the Crusaders and Canterbury.
27:41So he knows this every blade of this grass really well.
27:44Yeah, he does. Well, the baggage man Foxy came up to me when we were down on the field earlier
27:50and he was the baggage man when I was here.
27:51So he's got some longevity in him, that's for sure. He's got a few more grey hairs than me.
27:55He probably doesn't spend as much time with the hairdresser, but anyway.
27:59Unless you're honest.
28:00Yeah, thank you. Mitch Drummond, he said, has played the most games at this stadium, Crusaders and Canterbury combined.
28:08So more than Wyatt Crockett's 202. He's, I think he's 150 for the Crusaders and over 100 for Canterbury.
28:17Blamey, that's a lot of games of footy. It is. You would know, Nisbo. Yeah.
28:23You're in the thousands.
28:34So that's a rare scrum penalty against the Crusaders. And that's not going out either.
28:40Nicely done by, by Sebu Rees. And now a chance out wide for Will Jordan.
28:47Gives it away to Aenor. Nicely red though by the defence.
28:56Armstrong, Ravula. Makes it to halfway.
29:02Vasi Lala.
29:06Away to Mata Ely. And just on the Crusaders side of halfway.
29:1964-26. With about 15 remaining.
29:26Basi Lala again. Armstrong, Ravula.
29:31Rabitu heads off on a run.
29:34No, not out, not out.
29:35Gives it away.
29:36Jive Dresden.
29:40Proving away here the Fijian draw.
29:50They've had two very good wins this year. Over the Hurricanes and the Brumbies.
29:59And here's another turnover ball
30:01And off goes Leicester
30:04Pops the pass
30:06Rhys
30:07Here's Bell on the charge
30:09It's been knocked on by the Drewer in the tackle
30:14Now Taha Kemara
30:15Gets it away nicely
30:19Rivers Rayhana is out there as well
30:25I'll tell you
30:26This is what you fear the most
30:28You do
30:29That's Taha Kemara who's gone down
30:31And again when it gets loose
30:33You know and slightly unstructured
30:36When you're gravitating across the field
30:38That's where you can get hit in a bad situation
30:40Check this out
30:42See you later
30:44How many times
30:47That's power
30:50I can't give you any more
30:53Time is off
30:54He's picking on the forwards
30:57Yeah
30:58I agree with you in regards to the
31:00You know you just don't see it coming do you Justin
31:02When he gets loose
31:03Gets fractured
31:04Balls bouncing around
31:06They're trying to be physical
31:07They're trying to force errors
31:11Yeah it wouldn't be a game
31:13It's
31:14This stadium
31:15Without a little bit of sweet Caroline
31:19Take it away Justin
31:21He's warning
31:22So it's accidental
31:23That already happens later on Jeff
31:28Well let's flash back
31:29We said earlier that
31:30The Crusaders have won four titles
31:33At this ground
31:35And that's over the Lions from South Africa
31:39Cody Taylor pops up a lot here
31:42Four tonight
31:43Here he is against the Hawares
31:47That was 2-19
31:51He's off again
31:52But he's got 53 of them
31:55He has
31:55He has
32:00And of course also
32:022021 Aotearoa competition as well
32:06Big scrum from the Crusaders
32:09But the Drawer have possession
32:12With about 13 minutes left in the game
32:17It's all getting a bit messy here
32:28He's got to be there for
32:30Stay there
32:31Use it
32:32Barsi Lala
32:37Plenty of energy though
32:38Coming off the bench
32:39For the Crusaders
32:40Trying to make an impression
32:43Lining this up as well Jordan
32:46Got it
32:46Well he almost got it off to Sebi Ruiz
32:48Who grabbed it anyway
32:50Did really well
32:52Now Sexton fires a pass
32:54But it's gone to the opposition
32:58And now a knock on
33:00Now who's got the speed
33:03Armstrong and Ravula by the look of it
33:06He's done really well
33:07Gee that's a good kick
33:18Just get the sense that
33:19The Crusaders
33:21Didn't have the greatest start to this campaign
33:23But all of a sudden
33:24They went into the bye with some momentum
33:26Won a couple on the tryout
33:27They've come out here tonight
33:28It's been impressive
33:29And then they've got to look forward
33:31To go to a new stadium
33:31Under the roof
33:33And maybe they're starting to build
33:35Towards something
33:36Really impressive this season
33:40Bell with the throw
33:43Turned over
33:44And
33:45Time stood still for a moment
33:48And there's an offside call
33:50Against the Crusaders here
33:56You're offside
33:57It was attacker first
34:01Six offside
34:15Just talking to Rob Penny as well
34:18Now they've got some reinforcements coming back
34:20Guys being fed off
34:21They hope they will recover
34:22David Harvelli should be right by next weekend
34:26Depth has always been one of their great strengths
34:28And Scott Barrett as well
34:31Is in doing some work
34:32So
34:32They've got some players to come back
34:36Reduce Eaton throws
34:38He's got to get it back
34:41Good tackle
34:41Front on
34:42By Bell
34:46Oh that's a head off tackle
34:48I think
34:48Not called though
34:54Certainly
34:55Around the neck
34:56Yeah it's high
34:58I'm not sure why they've missed that
35:00It was quite clear and obvious
35:02Unfortunately
35:03On Salawa
35:05Knock on here guys
35:07Which would have contributed
35:08To him losing the ball
35:10When you get
35:11Basically coat hangered
35:12Around the back of the head
35:17Let's go guys
35:18Point up
35:21Player of the match
35:22Well I would have thought
35:23That's a relatively easy decision
35:26Somewhere in the front row perhaps
35:27Maybe
35:28Possibly a Crusader
35:30Possibly in frame now
35:32I just put one name up
35:36If it's not a hundred percent
35:37I'll be disappointed
35:42So Drummond rolls it in
35:46Both to the side
35:48Nothing more
35:49In all
35:54And a good thump downfield
36:12joint
36:32Terrific
36:37Fai Manuku makes a good tackle.
36:42Now the charge from Raguse.
36:46Use it!
36:48Away now for Tungiri.
36:53He's missed.
36:55Building up but not really breaking this pretty staunch defence.
37:02You missed it. You're on the arm.
37:04You're on the arm.
37:07Now chance maybe.
37:10Nice offload.
37:13And downfield goes Rabitu.
37:17Looking to get it quickly.
37:19Barsi Lala.
37:21Away for Armstrong Ragula.
37:26And this time it's a penalty.
37:28Pulled out.
37:32Mark over here.
37:36As the Crusaders look to clear their territory.
37:40You see the score up there.
37:4364 to 26.
37:45Well check this stat out.
37:47The Crusaders have made more than double the amount of tackles as the Fiji Endrua.
37:51So it goes to show you how clinical the Crusaders have been when they've had the ball in hand.
37:57But equally the Fiji Endrua just haven't been able to, with all that possession, break down this Crusaders defence.
38:10Just had to, Tungitama's had to come back on.
38:15So for the replacement, halfback Rabuti.
38:23Seven minutes remaining of rugby at this ground as the Crusaders again with the ball.
38:32Fahanganuku hit hard in the tackle.
38:34Yeah, off the head.
38:36And it came off the head, so no advantage required.
38:43Go.
38:43Use that.
38:44Now Drummond.
38:46Gets it off to Gardner.
38:48No, no, no!
38:51Okay, ball's there.
38:52Use.
38:53Stay, stay, take your step.
38:54Take your step.
38:54Into.
38:55A weighted kick by Mitch Drummond.
38:57Draws Ceci the two fullbacks.
39:00Back by Red.
39:00And Jordan.
39:00Forward by Red.
39:01And has been knocked on by George Bell.
39:04Yeah.
39:05That's off.
39:09They had possession of it.
39:15So we have the super round, of course, which marks the first games.
39:22Justin at the stadium.
39:23Three weeks away, I think.
39:25Yes, it is, yeah.
39:25But what a weekend that's going to be.
39:28Anzac weekend, of course.
39:29And Friday night, the Crusaders, Waratahs is a sellout.
39:33And the three-day passes are sold out.
39:35But there's still tickets available for both Saturday and Sunday.
39:39Make sure you get along.
39:40At the privilege of going through the stadium today,
39:42I can tell you you're in for something pretty spectacular.
39:45And with all these games over three days to look forward to,
39:50make sure you get your tickets.
39:52As they're still available.
39:55Right.
39:56Play continues.
40:00Armstrong or Agula with the ball in hand.
40:10Oh, the ball's been turned over again.
40:12There's been a lot of this.
40:14That's a forward pass as well.
40:17Never mind.
40:18Carry on.
40:19Nice pass away for Savu Reis.
40:21Now, can he add to his two for tonight?
40:25Got up off his feet and fired the pass off to Gardner.
40:30Now could be a chance out wide.
40:32Shelfoon has a look.
40:34Not a lot of support out there.
40:35Now tried to link up.
40:37And it's broken down once more.
40:40And it really has been the story of the last 20 minutes or so.
40:44Endless replacements on there.
40:46Combinations have broken down and players got pretty scrappy.
40:52Yeah.
40:52Yeah.
40:52Just the finishing quality.
40:54Let's think back to the first quarter of this game.
40:57And Jeff, you can probably elaborate.
40:59The Crusaders were so clinical.
41:00Any line break that they made.
41:02And some of their set piece work.
41:03Passes were on point.
41:04Everything was sticking and they were finishing.
41:06Since then, they've made plenty of line breaks.
41:09But probably hasn't been as ruthless in their finishing.
41:11Yeah, they've probably tried to offload it a little bit too much.
41:15Trying to keep the ball alive.
41:16Rather than get a little bit more momentum going forward.
41:19And the Drewer, they've shifted well.
41:22And much better in the second half, you would say.
41:25When it has got a bit fractured.
41:26And they have been breached.
41:27But not as clinical.
41:30Sometimes hard when you make all of those changes.
41:33There are a couple of guys I would shout out Antonio Shelfoon.
41:37I mean, it's a big shift for a lot.
41:40He does it every week.
41:40Every week though.
41:41And this is 70 minutes, 75.
41:43And he just continues to push.
41:45He's getting himself in positions.
41:46He bounces up off the ground.
41:48He's got a big engine.
41:49And there's a lot of guys.
41:51The likes of Kelo as well.
41:53They've shown some real toughness.
41:55Tonight.
41:56Because it's not easy physically against a Drewer team.
41:59And you've talked about the number of tackles they've had to make.
42:05So, four minutes remaining.
42:08And the Fijian Drewer.
42:10And that's a loose pass.
42:11And it fell straight into the arms of Gardner.
42:15Use it!
42:17Sexton makes a bit of ground.
42:20Carried on by Shelfoon.
42:26Crusader's going the short way home now.
42:31Almost intercepted there by Wonga.
42:38Now a drive by Gardner.
42:42Away for Cahill.
42:46Drummond wakes.
42:49Slings it away.
42:50Now the long pass for Savu Rez.
42:54Pops it nicely.
42:55But good defence on Fihaki this time.
42:59Oh!
43:01Yes!
43:03And...
43:04Sorry.
43:05Very sorry.
43:05but as
43:06He...
43:13No.
43:34Fiji Druha.
43:35time to kick but i don't imagine the fijian drew will be too interested in clearing but
43:41they'll make a live me as they boot it out into touch and we've got two and a half minutes
43:46left
44:04bell throws now drummond
44:08here's being really strong been hard to put down and that proves to be the case again
44:15drummond gets it away
44:18the car's going to know one in particular here's reese slings it away for k
44:27off to enor he's hunted down
44:33and there's drummond again see quarter jordan hands it away
44:4464 on the board but will jordan yet to score tonight quite remarkable given his try scoring
44:51feats over the years yeah yep they've managed to contain him pretty well in general
45:03it's winding down the clock okay okay just a minute to go at the stadium stadium apollo project
45:09stadium and what
45:13you have to say is it is sad to see this stadium go because after the devastation of the christ
45:18church earthquakes the city the city refused to stay down it galvanized it built this stadium
45:24for this team and since seeing this team has had 14 years
45:30the supporters have kept coming the titles have come and the city and the players should be proud of
45:37what has been achieved here it'll be sad to see it go but the future is looking pretty bright as
45:43well
45:46absolutely
45:47now bell can they score one last try and complete their 100th win here at apollo project stadium
45:58here's enor looking to penetrate through the midfield drummond slips it away to reese
46:10now
46:10in the net
46:12laser pack for drummond
46:18drummond again
46:21hands it up for gardner
46:25crusaders are going to finish the game on attack at least
46:28the shelfoon takes it in now reese slings it across wide stepped up by enor time is up on the
46:37clock
46:39reese gets very here's buying anuku
46:46and may score one last try on the ground
46:52as the hooter goes they'll get a penalty
46:55so it's still possible
46:58on the line
47:02bell wants to take it and he wants to go hard
47:13another crack at the line
47:17referee and team having a good look at it
47:20another go and close
47:26but a nabani they're going to try
47:28so they do get one last try
47:42they certainly do i think it might have been seb calder it was
47:47seb calder is the one that goes over they were all having a dig and you can just feel that
47:51they
47:51wanted to finish and sign off this performance in the stadium with a try and they did do that the
47:58crusaders
48:04try number 11 for the night
48:08for the crusaders goes to seb calder
48:13first of his career he'll remember that for a long time
48:17that'll be a trivia question it will be in the future won't it who scored the last
48:21try at apollo project stadium
48:32and the last kick is going to miss
48:37but it's the end of the game
48:40and it's the end of an era here in christchurch
48:45as the crusaders sign off at apollo project stadium in the most convincing fashion
48:55beating the fiji and drew it by 69 points to 26.
49:02okay let's hear from cody taylor with jeff
49:06thanks for watching this boat congratulations cody could you imagine it going any better
49:13cheers jeff uh firstly i just want to give all glory to jesus christ um our savior gave his life
49:17on
49:18this day on this holy day um yeah what a special moment um to go out like that on the
49:26stadium uh
49:28to get the job done and to pull this jersey on for the 150 typh um i'm just so grateful
49:33i love
49:34this team love this club um thank you so much to all the fans for coming out tonight
49:46i don't think uh us as crusaders can um say how much you guys actually mean to us and how
49:52much
49:53uh you are a big part of the success that we've had over the years so thank you
49:56this has been a place of um bringing this community together a place of hope of love and uh we're
50:02just
50:02glad that we get to represent you guys every week uh putting on the red and black jersey so thank
50:05you
50:05i just want to ask you when you came out the tunnel and i'm sure you weren't aware that your
50:10club team
50:11sydenham was going to do that harker what did that mean to you with your family uh it's real special
50:16like uh sydenham is well that's the first team i played for down here and uh sydenham's where i met
50:22my wife um so i came down here i met her i've got a beautiful family now and that's where
50:28it all
50:28begun for me uh so yeah i owe a lot to sydenham um owe a lot to to this region
50:33for getting me down
50:34here and i've got nothing but love for this area and this team thanks cody again i enjoyed it with
50:38your team thanks sir thanks
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