Crusaders beat Rebels for second win in 2024; boost Super Rugby playoff hopes
CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AP) — The defending champion Crusaders fanned their faint playoff hopes in Super Rugby Pacific Friday with a six-try, 39-0 win over the fourth-placed Melbourne Rebels.
The win was only the Crusaders’ second in nine games this season but temporarily bounced them off the bottom of the championship ladder and brightened their chances of reaching the quarterfinals with five matches remaining.
The Christchurch-based Crusaders fielded the biggest pack they could find and crushed the Rebels’ scrum, winning penalties and territory through the first 30 minutes. The Crusaders’ All Blacks props Fletcher Newell and George Bower dominated while the Rebels were forced to swap their entire front row in the 31st minute.
The Crusaders also freely poached the Rebels’ lineout ball, helped by the return from injury of All Blacks lock Scott Barrett.
Related articles
Frustrated with Brazil's Lula, Indigenous peoples march to demand land recognition
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP) — Thousands of Indigenous people marched on Thursday in Brazil’s capital, call2024-04-26- One of Italy's most well-known bridges that has survived allied bombs, devastating floods and 700 ye2024-04-26
Father of teen stabbed to death on Apple River by knife
The father of the teen stabbed to death on the Apple River by a Wisconsin engineer has made a heart-2024-04-26Channing Tatum and Jenna Dewan seeking to have one another testify at upcoming divorce hearing
Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum will soon be having a hearing regarding their divorce and Magic Mike2024-04-26- For the past few years, Scotland has been sold a story about itself by our nationalist governing lea2024-04-26
Monica Garcia's baby daddy revealed to be Braxton Knight, 29
Controversial Real Housewives of Salt Lake City villain Monica Garcia shocked fans by announcing tha2024-04-26
atest comment