Mitchell Hunt of Crusaders scores a try during a match between Jaguares and Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images.
Mitchell Hunt of Crusaders scores a try during a match between Jaguares and Crusaders. Photo / Getty Images.
The Crusaders will return unbeaten from their tour of South Africa and Argentina after this grinding victory over the Jaguares in Buenos Aires which was closer and more taxing than the scoreline suggests.
There were a few key performances – not least those by wings George Bridge and Manasa Mataelewho scored two tries each, the latter looking more like former All Black wing Sitiveni Sivivatu by each passing week – but perhaps the most telling moment came with 15 minutes remaining and the Crusaders' scrum under huge pressure.
The Jaguares had gradually got on top of the Crusaders set piece by this point. They had won several scrum penalties in a row, and, 20m in front of the posts and only 14-26 behind, were about to apply the blowtorch.
In the home side's favour was the fact that this was an underpowered Crusaders scrum, with inexperienced prop Donald Brighouse about to pack down for the first time in the match, and lock Luke Romano off for Quinten Strange.
But instead of capitulating, the Crusaders turned the tables, forcing the Jaguares back, winning the turnover, and second-five Ryan Crotty scored at the other end after charging down an attempted clearance.
That was the dagger that finally did for the Jaguares, a team forever on the knife-edge as far as discipline goes.
Their commitment can't be faulted, but their skill level can at times – that and their ability to keep their heads. Their turnovers killed them and so did a Crusaders defence which kept the home side scoreless in the first half despite the Jaguares at one stage putting together 29 consecutive phases.
George Bridge of the Crusaders scores a try. Photo / Photosport
With strike weapons like Bridge and Mataele, the Crusaders have the perfect men to capitalise on any half chances, and they did. Bridge scored the first two tries of the match, including one from 65m out, with Mataele's coming from a brilliant lineout move where he combined brilliantly with impressive hooker Codie Taylor, and another from 50m out.
The Fijian also beat four would-be defenders on an area the size of a postage stamp to send first-half Mitch Hunt away – more evidence that the 21-year-old, the nephew of teammate Seta Tamanivalu, is becoming one of Scott Robertson's most important attacking players.
This bonus point victory, coming a week after the Crusaders' 14-8 win over the Lions in Johannesburg, takes the Crusaders to second on the table, one point above the Hurricanes – albeit after having played one extra game than their nearest Kiwi rivals.
It proved they have retained their grit of last year, and that they are still a very difficult team to beat, even despite a horror run of injuries.
With midfielder Jack Goodhue out with a hamstring strain, Tim Bateman was Crotty's centre partner. The sight of both Bateman and Crotty down injured within the first 10 minutes would have caused Robertson a great deal of discomfort but fortunately for them and the coach, they soon got to their feet and played an important part in this win.
This was an often brutal match, but there is some comfort ahead. Their next assignment is a home fixture against the Sunwolves, a team without any victories this season who leaked 50 points at home to the Waratahs this weekend.
