Crusaders clinch first spot in Super 12 semi-finals

9.35pm

The Crusaders overcame the sending off of No 8 Mose Tuiali'i to beat the Stormers 24-9 in Christchurch on Saturday night and become the first team to book a Super 12 semifinal berth.

In a courageous second-half display at Jade Stadium, the four-time champions shrugged off the red card to Tuiali'i in the 30th minute for an attempted head butt to go to the top of the table.

Down 8-9 at halftime, the Crusaders scored 16 unanswered points in the second half in a display of disciplined defence and forward control as their opponents' play gradually disintegrated.

The hosts' chances appeared to thin further when they lost two experienced All Blacks backs, centre Aaron Mauger and halfback Justin Marshall, to injury for most of the second half.

However, the Stormers were guilty of ineffectual kicking, helping the Crusaders dominate possession and territory for most of that period.

The star of the match was Crusaders second five-eighth Daniel Carter, who scored 19 points including a match-clinching individual try under the crossbar with 23 minutes remaining. He also provided a grubber kick to set up winger Caleb Ralph for the Crusaders' other try, midway through the first half.

Despite losing, the Stormers remain in fourth place on the points table and will seal a semifinal berth if they can beat the Sharks in Durban next weekend.

The Crusaders' final match is against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

New Zealand touch judge Paul Honiss had no hesitation recommending a red card for Tuiali'i' when the No 8 appeared to direct an attempted headbutt at Stormers centre Marius Joubert after a scuffle. It was unclear if he made contact.

The Crusaders were fortunate they weren't reduced to 13 men in the closing stages when prop Greg Somerville was penalised for a blatant punch on Stormers No 8 Adri Badenhorst but faced no further punishment.

First five-eighth Chris Rossous gave the Stormers an early lead through a penalty before Ralph crossed for the only try of the first half after a patient buildup.

Rossouw kicked two more penalties and Carter one more before the break.

Scorers:

Crusaders 24 (Caleb Ralph, Daniel Carter tries; Carter 4 pen, 1 con)

Stormers 9 (Chris Rossouw 3 pen)

HT: 8-9

-NZPA

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