Crusaders thump Rebels 39-0

The Crusaders thumped the Rebels 39-0 to pull to within a point of the top-eight.

Nobody will sleep better than Crusaders head coach Rob Penney this weekend.

The Crusaders’ scrum was particularly immense, forcing Rebels coach Kevin Foote to replace his entire front-row 30 minutes into the game.

The Crusaders tries were scored by Christian Lio-Willie with 2, Cullen Grace, Owen Franks, Sevu Reece and Johnny McNicholl with a penalty and 3 conversions from Rivez Reihana.

Crusaders led 10-0 at half-time.

Only time will tell if it’s the start of something, but the reigning champions are back in the winner’s circle, with just one point outside the top-eight after their bonus point romp.

But the story of the game was the demolition job the Crusaders did on the Rebels’ scrum, led by All Blacks tighthead prop Fletcher Newell’s immense performance.

It’s afternoon footy in Christchurch next Saturday afternoon, when the Crusaders host the Reds, while the Rebels are back home in Melbourne to face the Blues on Friday night.

Source: Stuff.co