Seta Tamanivalu scored his last Super Rugby try for the Crusaders before leaving for France next season last night as the Crusaders defeated the Lions 37‑18 to win their ninth Super Rugby title in Christchurch last night.
The Crusaders gave away a penalty inside their own half on the 13th minute of play where the Lions managed to put the first points on the board.
Three minutes later Richie Mo'unga lined up his first kick of the night to level the scores to 3 all.
Other tries for the Crusaders came from David Havili, Codie Taylor and Scott Barrett.
Crusaders led at half time 20-6.
A year after travelling to Johannesburg to become the first team to cross the Indian Ocean and take the title, the Crusaders ran in four tries to the Lions’ two, to seal a comprehensive victory, and their first at home since Robbie Deans’ side defeated the Waratahs in 2008.
The victory was the Crusaders 21st straight finals win in Christchurch.
It was also the Lions’ third straight final loss after previously going down to the Hurricanes in Wellington in 2016 and the Crusaders at Ellis Park last year.
This is the Crusaders ninth title win after winning three times in row from 1998 to 2000 than again in 2002 than back to back in 2005 and 2006 than again in 2008 and also winning last year's final beating the Lions 25‑17.
In winning, Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock paid tribute to his coach, Scott Robertson who became the first person to win back to back titles as a coach in 2017‑2018 and as a player in 1998‑2000.
[Source: One News/ New Zealand Herald]
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