Crusaders too strong for spirited Super Rugby newcomers Moana Pasifika

The Crusaders were too clinical for Moana Pasifika as they ran out 33-12 winners in their Super Rugby Pacific clash on Friday.

Making their professional rugby debut at an empty Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin, Moana Pasifika proved that they would be competitive, showing physical defence and plenty of flair with ball in hand. Ultimately though, through controlling possession and territory, the Crusaders would be deserved winners.

The defensive line of the Moana Pasifika was under siege early on, with the Crusaders controlling all the ball and territory. The islanders repelled two driving mauls and showed superb cover defence to keep attackers out.

And their staunch defence paid off, as a counter-attack from deep after a rare Crusaders mistake would lead to their first-ever Super Rugby try. It was flyhalf Lincoln McClutchie that broke the line initially and they showed great continuity to take it through a couple of phases before the ball was shovelled out wide, where flanker Solomone Funaki crashed over for an unlikely early lead.

The Crusaders would eventually get on the board 22 minutes into the contest. The resilient defence from Moana Pasifika finally broke with some slick hands on the outside. An inside ball would find George Bridge who broke the line and offloaded to a lumbering Mitch Dunshea who fell over in the corner. Simon Hickey added the extras from the touchline.

With the game being played in the wrong area of the park for Moana Pasifika, it was a matter of time before the Crusaders wave broke through. Ethan Blackadder showed complete disregard for his own body as he crashed through from close range on the half-hour mark to open up a 14-5 lead. The Crusaders continued to control proceedings as the half came to a