Crusaders thrash Highlanders 52-15

The champion Crusaders have quickly righted their listing Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific Super Rounds campaign with a dominant 52-15 display over the Highlanders.

After conceding early momentum to their opponents, the Crusaders were able to turn the tables at lineout time to great affect.

No.8 Christian Lio-Willie stole a Highlanders throw to nullify an attacking opportunity, before fullback Sam Gilbert put his team under pressure, finding touch on the full from outside his 22.

From the attacking lineout, the Crusaders swept onto attack, with Richie Mo'unga providing the initial thrust and captain Scott Barret laying on the final pass for Sevu Reece to score the opening try.

Their second came from a wayward Highlanders kick inside the Crusaders 22, pounced on by Richie Mo'unga, who broke over halfway, before finding support, with fullback Fergus Burke finishing the move.

On halftime, Prop Joe Moody scored a rare touchdown, when the Crusaders won an attacking lineout, mauled to the tryline and the front-rower pinched what would usually be a hooker's special.

Ahead 31-3 at the break, the champions wasted no time adding to their tally, with Mo'unga chasing a clever kick from David Havili behind the tryline to score.

Havili had the next try, after a storming run from flanker Ethan Blackadder, while Taylor finally got his try off a lineout maul.

When Leicester Fainga'anuku powered over under the crossbar, the Crusaders had put 50 points on their archrivals for the first time, but the Highlanders hung around, for centre Josh Timu to bag a try double in the closing moments for some respectability.

Nevertheless, the outcome also marked the first time the Highlanders have conceded 50 points on consecutive weeks.

In other matches, Hurricanes beat Rebels 39-33.

Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the NSW Waratahs at 8.35 tonight.

In other Super Round matches Moana Pasifika will take on the Chiefs at 6.05pm today, the Blues will play the Brumbies at 3pm tomorrow while the Reds will play Western Force at 5.30pm tomorrow.

Source: Newshub

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