Fiji born Crusaders wing Manasa Mataele was exceptional setting up a try for Jack Goodhue in the space of three minutes to ensure the Crusaders 14‑8 victory against the Lions in Johannesburg this morning.
Scoreless for the first 49 minutes, the Crusaders, in their return to Ellis Park for the first time since they beat the Lions 25‑17 in the Super Rugby final in August last year, eventually got some rhythm and continuity to their game to record tries to skipper Whitelock and Goodhue.
Mataele provided some much‑needed X‑factor by busting through a tackle, and then stampeded into space prior to offloading to Goodhue near the line.
The Crusaders conceded 11 turnovers in the first 40 minutes, but it wasn't as if the Lions had made a mighty contribution to this start‑stop first half, either, because they lost the ball on eight occasions.
The Lions led 5‑0 at halftime.
At the end of round 7, the Rebels are leading the points table with 20 points, second are the Lions also with 20 points, the Hurricanes are third with 19 points and defending champions the Crusaders are fourth also with 19 points.
On Friday the Hurricanes take on the Sharks at 7.35pm.
On Saturday, the Sunwolves will face the Waratahs at 5.15pm, the Chiefs will meet the Blues at 7.35pm while the Brumbies take on the Reds at 9.45pm.
On Sunday, the Lions will face the Stormers at 3.15am while the Crusaders take on the Jaguares at 9.40am.
[Source: stuff.co.nz]
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