Rugby: Crusaders humble Brumbies

HERALD ONLINE STAFF

The Crusaders pulled off a victory of heroic proportions when they downed the Brumbies 20-19 in the Super 12 final at Bruce Stadium, Canberra, on Saturday night.

It was the third Super 12 final win in a row for the Crusaders, and the third time they had to play the final away from home. "It's just awesome, it's so awesome," said captain Todd Blackadder.

The Crusaders were trailling 17-19 with five minutes to go when Andrew Mehrtens coolly slotted the match-winning penalty goal. There were a few more minutes of tigerish defence for the New Zealanders before South African referee Andre Watson blew for full-time.

Blackadder's men were written off by the bookies and most experts before the game, and they showed great character to hold on in the second half against wave after wave of Brumbie attacks.

That said, Stirling Mortlock had a disappointing kicking game, and would have expected to land at least two of the chances he missed.

The Crusaders were ahead 12-3 after a try-less first half. The Brumbies were gang-tackled out of contention and stars George Gregan and Stephen Larkham were swapping worried glances as early as the 16th minute.

The Brumbies only managed to score a penalty goal -- and that after the Crusaders were reduced to 14 men when Greg Somerville was sin-binned in the 29th minute.

In the second spell the Brumbies attacked almost without let-up but the Crusaders scored the first try when Ron Cribb snapped up a pass, grubber-kicked towards the line, gathered and smashed over in the tackle of George Gregan.

Sustained attack by the Brumbies was finally rewarded in the 25th minute when George Smith sliced through from close in to score under the crossbar.

Mortlock penalty goals kept the Brumbies in touch, and then in front by two points with 10 minutes to go. Five minutes later Mehrtens kicked the penalty goal that sealed the Brumbies' fate.

Without exception pundits at the RugbyHeaven Web site favoured the Brumbies. However former All Blacks Chris Laidlaw and Matthew Cooper, two of the experts on the New Zealand Herald tipping panel, predicted a Crusaders win.

A few minutes before kickoff the New Zealand TAB had the Brumbies drifting out slightly to $1.57 and the Crusaders inching in at $2.25. Bookies at the NSW TAB kept the home side at $A1.47 and the Crusaders at $A2.50.

The Super 12 final attracted a record crowd of 27,489 fans to Bruce Stadium.

The point-scorers:
Crusaders: Mehrtens five penalty goals, Cribb try. Brumbies: Mortlock four penalty goals, conversion; Smith try.