Crusaders

Crusaders’ historic grand final

The Crusaders haven't won a grand final match since joining the competition, but this afternoon they set history for the club after defeating favourites Harlequins.  

The 23-10 victory over Harlequins in the A Grade division was a dream come true for Crusaders.

The Crusaders started their match trailing behind the high flying Harlequins who fielded the best team to win the final.

The match looked certain to be over with the early lead by the Credit Corporation Harlequins who had three teams secured the Grand Final Bert. 

Crusaders cruise over Marlins

With three matches left in round two, both sides need a win to keep their finals hope alive. 

Crusaders who sit on 6th place two places above their opposition proved to be tough to handle in the opening 10 minutes of the game. 

The match was expected to be an exciting contest, but after two tries in the first 10 minutes by the Crusaders it was clear it was going to be a challenge for MBB Marlins.

Crusaders scored two more tries in the second half, but due to ill-discipline they conceded two yellow cards leaving them to defend with 13 men for the last 15 minutes.

CRU heavyweights clash

The competition’s heavyweights will face each other for the first time this season at the Bava Park. The sides had a couple of encounters last season but all was in favour of Brothers and Crusaders are out to make amends.

This season, Crusaders have been performing very well in the opening three rounds and will put up stiff challenge against their opponents.

Brothers head coach, Joe Kautu praised the resurgence of the Crusaders and their performance this year, saying Brothers cannot take them lightly.

Crusaders lose assistant in Welsh coach swap

Mooar has been at the Super Rugby champions for three years and helped the Crusaders to a second straight Super Rugby title in 2018 alongside head coach Scott Robertson.

He was previously head coach of the Southland Stags as well as backs coach with South African sides Eastern Province Kings and Southern Kings in the Super 15.

The 44-year-old Mooar will join Scarlets in 2019, with Pivac taking over from Gatland as Wales coach at the end of next year's World Cup in Japan.

Crusaders flanker set to join Wallabies

The 26 -year-old qualifies for Australia as he was born in Melbourne and is set to play in the June test series against Six Nations champions Ireland.

The loose forward had two stints in Sydney club rugby with Randwick and has earned almost 30 caps for the Crusaders since making his debut in 2016.

Samu switched to New Zealand's Tasman and was spotted by the Crusaders and was Player of the Year in 2015 in their development team, the Knights.

Depleted Crusaders too good for Hurricanes

The Crusaders, without at least seven front-line players through injury or suspension, controlled the ball through their forwards, punished their opponent's poor discipline and produced a bruising defence to drive them back behind the advantage line.

Lock Scott Barrett, prop Michael Alaalatoa and loose forward Heiden Bedwell-Curtis crossed for the home side, while Reed Prinsep scored a late consolation try for the visitors.

The Crusaders held a narrow 7-6 lead at halftime, but dominated the second spell to set up their ninth successive win of the season.

Crusaders says they're not a dirty team

The defending champions will be without All Black props Owen Franks and Joe Moody for Friday night's top of the table Super Rugby clash with the Hurricanes in Christchurch, after the pair both recieved two match bans for striking.

On top of those suspensions the Crusaders have had five yellow cards in their last four games, with some pundits labelling the team 'grubs'.

Mooar says the incidents have all been different and he doesn't believe they have a problem.

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Sam Whitelock to miss Blues game

Vice-captain Crotty will link with Jack Goodhue in the midfield.

The Crusaders have made six changes and one positional switch from the side that beat the Waratahs last week.

In the front row, Tim Perry makes his return from a hamstring injury and will start at loosehead prop. All Black Owen Franks also returns to the starting side this week, and Mike Alaalatoa moves to the reserves.

Kieran Read back with the Crusaders

Read had surgery on his spine in December and is unlikely to be available until after the June international window.

His last game was for the All Blacks against Scotland in November and pain in his leg led to him having surgery.

The Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara says it was great to see Read back with the side.

Crusaders get help from league mentor

The Melbourne Storm mentor was in the Crusaders' coaching box at AAMI Park on Friday night as the defending champions crushed the Melbourne Rebels 55-10.

Despite playing different codes, the two title-holding clubs, who share a long history of success, have formed a tight bond.

The teams had lunch together on Thursday and watched each others training sessions while Bellamy was given the honour of presenting the Crusaders with their playing jerseys before the game.