Defending champion Crusaders scored two early tries and then lost their way in a hailstorm before running away to a 33-11 win over Japan’s winless Sunwolves in Super Rugby on Saturday. The Christchurch-based Crusaders started as expected with a try in the first minute and another seven
Defending champion Crusaders scored two early tries and then lost their way in a hailstorm before running away to a 33-11 win over Japan’s winless Sunwolves in Super Rugby on Saturday.
The Christchurch-based Crusaders started as expected with a try in the first minute and another seven minutes later to lead 14-0.
But the Sunwolves hit back with a try of their own, cutting the lead to 14-5 before the Crusaders‘ home stadium was hit by a violent thunderstorm which brought a torrent of hail.
For the next 40 minutes, on both sides of halftime, the Crusaders struggled to control the match as lightning flashed overhead. They were unable to keep the ball away from the Sunwolves or to build any coherent play when in possession.
The Sunwolves chipped away at the lead with penalties to New Zealand-born flyhalf Hayden Parker, closing within three points of the Crusaders at 14-11 and then pressing the home team’s line during a long period on attack.
