Dan Carter guides Crusaders through to semi-final: Super Rugby News
The Crusaders defeated the Sharks by 36-8 in the second quarter-final of Super Rugby played on June 25, in Eden Park Nelson. Dan Carter helped his side with 17 individual points in the match and left the sluggish Sharks l*****g their wounds with yet another
defeat on New Zealand soil.
The favourite Crusaders made two changes in their team from their previous outing against the Hurricanes. They included Sonny Bill Williams and Sean Maitland and rested Ryan Crotty and Brent Ward for the match. They also made one change in their starting
lineup as Wyatt Crockett replaced Ben Franks at loosehead prop.
The Sharks, who claimed to be ready to change their poor history against the Crusaders, made just one change to their team. Willem Alberts was back in the side after missing the last game against the Bulls on June 18.
The Crusaders rushed into the game very quickly and won a penalty kick right in the first minute of the match as Dan Carter made no mistake and made it 3-0 for the home team. Willem Alberts of the Sharks rose to the occasion and helped his side gain an early
lead over the Crusaders in the 10th minute of the match with a brilliant try.
The Sharks played quite a sluggish game afterwards and could add nothing to their total until the end of first-half. However, the Crusaders kept on scoring with little intervals after the 30th minute of the first-half.
Sonny Bill Williams celebrated his return with a well executed try and Carter scored a further two points for his side on a follow up conversion kick. The Crusaders were leading in the match with 13-5 at the interval.
The Sharks broke the ice early in the second half as Lambie kicked a three pointer for his team. They again went into a long slumber in the match whereas the Crusaders were never relaxed until the final whistle.
Carter had real good day today as he scored on three more penalty kicks and one conversion shot in the second-half. Collectively, he scored 17 points for his team to guide it into the semi-finals. Crusaders skipper Chris Read and reserve player Berquist
also scored tries for their team.
The Crusaders shattered the Sharks’ dream to win a play-off on All Blacks soil and won the match by 36-8.
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