Re: Super12 Semifinal Result - 橄欖球

May 22, 2004
ACT Brumbies (33)47-38(14) Canterbury Crusaders

Tries: Tries:
Gerrard 3 McCaw
Paul Mauger
Roff 2 Thorne
Giteau King
Laulala
Carter

Cons: Roff (6) Cons: Carter (4)


報導
SUPER 12 FINAL
Brumbies claim Super 12 title


Five first-half tries in 19 minutes helped the ACT Brumbies secure
the Super 12 title, as they defeated Canterbury Crusaders 47-38 in Canberra.

Wing Mark Gerrard grabbed a hat-trick and Joe Roff (2), Jeremy Paul
and Matt Giteau also crossed for ACT.

Crusaders fought back well with Richie McCaw, Aaron Mauger, Brad Thorne,
Chris King, Casey Laulala and Daniel Carter all scoring.

But the Brumbies held on to secure their second Super 12 win.

Brumbies got off to a dream start, grabbing 33 unanswered points in 19
minutes to end the match as a contest almost before it had begun.

The first came after just one minute when Crusaders full-back Ben Blair
missed the ball completely while attempting to fly-hack it into touch,
allowing Roff to dive over.

Two minutes later, a loose pass from Blair led to the Brumbies' second
when Gregan fed a blind-side pass to Gerrard who flew down the left wing.

The home crowd could hardly believe their eyes as the Crusaders - who
have won the Super 12 four times - continued to capitulate.

With lock Radike Samo running riot in the loose, the Brumbies fans were
then made to wait just seven minutes for the third.

A mighty Samo tackle on McCaw won the ball for the Brumbies as Gregan
again found a flying Gerrard, who fed inside for hooker Paul to further
increase the lead.

With Brumbies fans in raptures, the next eight minutes brought another
two tries as first Gerrard and then Giteau compounded the visitors' misery.

At 33-0 down, the game looked cut and dried, but the decision to replace
Cameron McIntyre with experienced number 10 Andrew Mehretens prompted a
much-needed Crusaders fightback.

With Mehrtens in charge behind, All Black captain McCaw led from the front,
diving over for his side's first try and then breaking through the Brumbies'
midfield to allow Mauger to bring his side back into the game.

At 33-14 down there was still a glimpse of hope for the Kiwis, but only
until another Blair error resulted in Gerrard touching down for his hat-
trick, after a wonderful Larkham up-and-under.

Again Canterbury fought back with former rugby league hero Thorne powering
over from five metres.

The score left the visitors needing three converted tries in 23 minutes and
when King was awarded the Crusaders' fourth it looked as though a remarkable
comeback could be on the cards.

But Roff finished as he started, breaking Christian Cullen's Super 12 record
with his 57th try to seal the win, despite late scores from Laulala and
Carter.


"All credit to the Crusaders, they're a fantastic team and we knew they'd
fight back."
Owen Finegan
Brumbies captain


"We never stopped believing we could get back into it "
Reuben Thorne
Crusaders captain


------------------------------------------------------------------------

ACT Brumbies: Young, Roff, Rathbone, Wilson, Giteau, Gerrard, Larkham,
Gregan, Paul, Henderson, Chisholm, Samo, Finegan, Smith, Fava.

Replacements: Palavi, Shepherdson, Giffin, Tawake, Henjak, Bartholomeusz,
Beckett, Drew.

Canterbury Crusaders: Blair, Vunibaka, A. Mauger, Carter, Ralph, McIntyre,
Marshall, Broomhall, McCaw, Thorne, Jack, Thorn, Somerville, Kopelani, Hewett.

Replacements: C. Flynn, King, Filipo, Leo'o, Nutbrown, Mehrtens, Laulala.

Referee: Andre Watson (South Africa)


--