Codie Taylor scored two tries early for the Crusaders against the Fijian Drua. Photo / Photosport
Crusaders 69
Fijian Drua 26
The narrative heading into Friday’s clash between the Crusaders and Fijian Drua would have had you believe the night would all be about the farewell to Apollo Projects Stadium.
After 14 years, the Crusaders are set to move to the new $683 million home at One NZ Stadium in the city centre, which will host Super Round in three weeks’ time.
However, in his 150th appearance for the Crusaders, Codie Taylor was not about to have his milestone night overshadowed by a stadium.
Granted, neither occasion probably weighed too heavily on the mind of the veteran hooker, but with four tries to his count in just 51 minutes of action, Taylor played a starring role in the Crusaders giving their fans one last fond memory of their “temporary” home.
It hasn’t been the most consistent season from the Crusaders, but they were full of points as they ran out to a 69-26 win over the Drua, with wingers Sevu Reece and Chay Fihaki both scoring doubles.
“To go out like that on this stadium, to get the job done and to pull this jersey on for the 150th time, I’m just so grateful. I love this team. I love this club,” Taylor told Sky Sport, before thanking the fans in attendance.
“I don’t think us as Crusaders can say how much you guys actually mean to us and how much you’re a big part of the success we’ve had over the years, so thank you. This has been a place of bringing the community together. A place of hope and love and we’re just glad we get to represent you guys every week putting on the red and black jersey.”
While the attack was flowing, the Crusaders did have plenty of defensive work to get through. The Drua were patient in attack and strung plenty of phases together, asking plenty of questions of their hosts’ defence.
While they did struggle with discipline at times – losing openside flanker Johnny Lee to the sin bin late in the first half – it took half an hour before their defences were breached. By then, it would’ve taken something special from the visitors to tip up the Crusaders.
There were early signs that it might just be the Crusaders’ night. Soon after Jamie Hannah stuffed an early Drua attack with a strong shot and a turnover at the ensuing breakdown, a pass from Leicester Fainga’anuku a bit behind Fihaki was well controlled by the winger and was the catalyst for the opening try; Will Jordan sending a long looping pass out for Reece to score in the corner.
On another night, that initial pass might have missed the mark, but this was a celebration of the team in red and black, the dynasty they built in a stadium that was always supposed to be temporary; built to give the Crusaders somewhere to play after Lancaster Park was damaged in the 2011 earthquake.
It was another long-range effort that saw the Crusaders extend their lead, with Hannah again a feature as he released Fletcher Newell into a massive hole with a slick backdoor offload. The move ended with Fainga’anuku scoring in the corner in the next phase.
Two lineout drive tries for Taylor and the Crusaders held a healthy lead, and Reece getting his second saw the hosts hold a 31-0 lead inside 25 minutes. The Crusaders did lose halfback Noah Hotham to illness before kick-off, but Louie Chapman gave a strong account of himself in an unexpected starting role.
The Drua fought back with tries through lock Joseva Tamani and No 8 Elia Canakaivata, but with those tries separated by Fihaki’s first try, the Crusaders went into the break 38-12 ahead.
The Crusaders ran in another five tries in the second half – Taylor scoring two of those before being substituted to a loud ovation with about 30 minutes to play.
While the Drua ran in a couple of tries of their own in the second half, including one through former Crusader Manasa Mataele, it was a night to savour for the home fans – the Crusaders’ 100th win at the venue a fitting way to sign off.
Crusaders 69 (Codie Taylor 4, Sevu Reece 2, Chay Fihaki 2, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Corey Kellow, Seb Calder tries; Taha Kemara 7 cons)
Fijian Drua 26 (Elia Canakaivata 2, Joseva Tamani, Manasa Mataele tries; Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula 3 cons)
HT: 38-12