Crusaders lead sluggish final of Super Rugby by 7-6 at end of first half - Super Rugby LIVE update
The Crusaders are leading the 2011 Super Rugby Final by 7-6 at the end of the first-half. Dan Carter scored a try and kicked a successful conversion while Quade Cooper helped his side with two penalty shots. The highly anticipated game has been going at
a very slow pace at the moment.
The long awaited Super Rugby final kicked off in a great atmosphere. The crowds were enthusiastic and both teams were looking to get their hands on the cup by the end of the day. The jam-packed venue of Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane saw fans cheering their
favourite players. The Australian derby, Reds, has had great support from the home crowd. The weather has been perfect and conditions are excellent for a thrilling encounter.
Both the sides had already announced that they will be keeping their units unchanged from the semi-final fixtures. Crusaders player, Andy Ellis, who was expected to miss the match due to fitness issues, was lined-up as scrum half.
New Zealander referee, Bryce Lawrence, was in the middle to conduct the match as James Horwill and Richie McCaw led their sides to the ground and the crowd cheered them on loudly.
Dan Carter started it for the Crusaders and kicked the ball into the Reds half where Jono Lance cleared it for the local side. The Reds missed an early opportunity to score the first try of the match as Digby Ioane failed to collect the bouncing ball in
the sixth minute of the game. The players from both sides were looking nervous at the start as Robbie Fruean also missed Dan Carter’s long pass two middle.
The Reds have been quite sharp in the match so far and they produced some desperate attacks very early in the game. However, Reds player Will Genia was penalised in the 16th minute but Carter could not avail the three pointer.
The Crusaders had shared a handsome possession in the middle of the half but could not score a point. It was Quade Cooper, who kicked the successful shot into the Crusaders half and helped the Reds with a 3-0 lead.
The Crusaders paid back the Reds two minutes later as Carter scored a try and kicked a conversion to make it 7-3 in the 36th minute. There was some drama just before the end of the first half as Quade Cooper reduced the Crusaders lead to 6-7 two
minutes before the interval.
Keep checking back for mor updates as we cover the match live at bettor.com
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