Crusaders beat Moana Pasifika 38-21 as Tavatavanawai scores twice

Crusaders beat Moana Pasifika 38-21 as Tavatavanawai scores twice

By Alipate Narawa
Saturday 08/04/2023
Codie Taylor's two tries helped the Crusaders beat a gritty Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby on Friday. -AAP Image

Richie Mo'unga got the win to mark his 100th match for the Crusaders, but not before overcoming an almighty scare against the Moana Pasifika.

Indeed, a repeat of their shock loss to Fijian Drua looked on for much of the night, before the Crusaders rallied and beat the visitors 38-21 in Christchurch on last night.

They needed all the Mo'unga magic they could get, too, given they produced yet another clunky performance and never got into a groove ahead of next week’s bye.

Moana Pasifika played the better rugby last night as they led well into the second half.

Led by wrecking balls Levi Aumua and Timoci Tavatavanawai, they scored three fine tries to grab an unlikely 21-17 lead at halftime.

However, they eventually cracked under the set piece as the host dominated the scrums.

Head coach Scott Robertson sure would have been a relieved man, not that he can afford to sit back during the bye week.

Mo'unga sparked the Crusaders into gear with one of his typical jinking runs, one which ended with him putting captain Codie Taylor over for one of the two tries he scored on the night.

He also put the cross-field kick in for Macca Springer to put Dom Gardiner in for the go-ahead try in the 51st minute, and slotted all six attempts (five conversions and a penalty) at goal.

But it was Aumua who stole the show as he rumbled through the Crusaders’ line.

He had two in the space of five minutes, the second courtesy of a brilliant off-load by Tavatavanawai - the other bloke who gave the Crusaders fits, and who moments earlier split the hosts from inside his own 22.

In the other game last night the Brumbies thrashed the Reds 52-24.

In other games today, the Highlanders will face the Hurricanes at 7.05pm, and then the Rebels host the Blues at 9.35pm.

[Source: Stuff.co]

FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
US Secretary of Defence to make historic visit to Fiji
US Secretary of Defence Lloyd J. Austin III will depart this week for a trip to Fiji, Australia, the Philippines and Laos, to participate in a series ...
39 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Fiji Bureau of Stats Office expands access to data with new website
To improve access to quality and reliable statistical data to keep people informed about their activities, the Fiji Bureau of Statistics has launched ...
8 minutes ago

FICAC received 39 complaints last month with 12 under investigation
The Fiji Independent Commission Against Corruption has confirmed that they received 39 complaints last month where 12 complaints were ...
50 minutes ago

Passengers have the right to receive taxi receipts - Consumer Council of Fiji
The Consumer Council of Fiji is reminding members of the public that all passengers have the right to receive a receipt for their taxi ...
51 minutes ago

Over $200,000 paid to 2023 flood victims through Pacific Insurance Climate Programme - RBF Governor
Following the flooding in early 2023, more than $200,000 was paid to the affected people through the UNCDF's Pacific Insurance and Climate Adaptation ...
56 minutes ago

Few roads in Central and Eastern Divisions closed due to heavy rain
A few roads in the Central and Eastern Divisions are closed due to flooding from recent heavy rainfall. The Fiji Roads Authority says Vatuwaqa ...
2 hours ago



fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Latest Videos

Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
yb
IN DEPTH
Sporting federations demand answers from FASANOC
National sporting federations who are part of Fiji Association of Sport and National Olympic Committee or FASANOC, are still calling for answers and ...
5 days ago

Continuous Radiology and Pharmacy services are now expected at Government Hospitals
Serious concerns are being raised by the public as the Ministry of Health has decided that radiology services and pharmacies at Government hospitals ...
5 days ago

Ratu Wiliame Katonivere declines Presidential nomination after an internal audit and investigation report
Prime Minister, Sitiveni Rabuka confirms that President Ratu Wiliame Katonivere decided to decline Rabuka's nomination of him to serve a second term ...
6 days ago

TOP