Rugby: Crusader's lack killer blow as Force draw

Tim Bateman tries to fight off the tackle of James O'Connor. Photo / Getty Images.

The Crusaders' winless run continues after the Western Force stormed back to squeeze a 23-23 draw out of their Super 14 rugby match in Christchurch today.

Up 20-6 at halftime courtesy of three tries, the injury-ravaged Crusaders couldn't hold out the Matt Giteau-inspired visitors who crossed for two tries in the final quarter.

The Crusaders' line hadn't been crossed until Giteau's electric feet began to find holes and home fullback Leon MacDonald was sinbinned.

Giteau was also on-song with his goalkicking, landing five from five while opposite number Stephen Brett struggled with three from eight, including a kickable late penalty attempt that drifted wide.

It cast a feeling of depression across AMI Stadium as the two points for a draw followed three consecutive losses for the defending champions, who are without a swag of key players to injury.

They appeared to put it all behind them with a bright start that made last week's 0-6 loss to the Highlanders seem like a mirage.

The Force, who lost 13-31 to the Chiefs last week, hung in through three penalties to Giteau before their late fireworks.

It is a result which will keep both teams mid-table - the Force on 12 points and the Crusaders 10 - but there is no doubt the seven-time champions would be more disappointed at the outcome considering their home advantage and sizeable early lead.

Brett and Giteau traded early penalties - after Brett had missed two attempts - before midfield backs Ryan Crotty and Tim Bateman crossed twice for the Crusaders in quick succession.

Crotty's try came from a sublime Brett cut-out pass while Bateman's, in the 15th minute, was via a Brett break from deep although it was somewhat fortunate as winger Adam Whitelock had appeared to knock a bobbling ball forward.

Giteau's second penalty was followed by an exceptional try to Crusaders lock Isaac Ross on the half-hour mark.

An irresistable team surge went through countless pairs of hands, with the Force simply running out of defenders as Ross dived over in the left corner.

Penalties were traded to kick-start the second spell before Giteau worked his magic to create tries for winger Haig Sare and second five-eighth James O'Connor.

The first was sheer brilliance, breaking the front line of defence, stepping veteran fullback Leon MacDonald before delivering a pinpoint, looping pass to Sare.

MacDonald was unluckily sinbinned with 15 minutes remaining for what seemed an innocuous challenge for a high kick which O'Connor claimed.

The visitors took advantage immediately with their second try but the match was scoreless for the remainder, much to the frustration of the hosts.

Crusaders captain Kieran Read said the performance was at least an improvement on their recent outings.

"The first half was great for us, we came out and showed what we could do. It was just a pity that we couldn't hold on," he told Sky Sport.

"It's a learning curve for us, it's a step in the right direction and we just have to go on from here."

Force counterpart Nathan Sharpe had mixed emotions.

"It was a credit to our boys to come back from that but we probably could have closed the game out a bit better," he said.

"It's a funny old thing, a draw, but we'll take it ahead of a loss."

The scoreline is identical to when the teams first met, in Perth three years ago.

- NZPA