Crusaders hold off 'resilient' Moana Pasifika outfit 33-12
The Crusaders have made it three straight wins to start season 2022 after defeating a resilient Moana Pasifika outfit 33-12 in Dunedin.
Heading into tonight's match as the red-hot favourite, life was made tough early on for last year's Super Rugby Aotearoa champions after they found themselves in a hole against the tournament newcomers.
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Moana Pasifika, who missed the opening two rounds of the season due to a COVID-19 outbreak, put up the first points when a giant gap opened up at midfield during the 15th-minute, leading to a Solomone Funaki try in the corner.
The opening 20 minutes were dominated by the Crusaders, but solid defence from Moana Pasifika held strong before Mitchell Dunshea responded in the 24th-minute.
Pablo Matera of the Crusaders is tackled by the defence Getty
And while Crusaders poured on consecutive tries after Dunshea's effort, a shocking pass at the wrong end of the field from All Blacks star Richie Mo'unga led to an easy try for Fine Inisi as Moana Pasifika cut the deficit to just nine points with 10 minutes to go.
Two late tries to Abraham Pole and Codie Taylor put the result out of reach for Moana Pasifika.
"I've been impressed with Moana Pasifika," said All Blacks great Justin Marshall in commentary for Stan Sport
"They've shown they're going to be very competitive. They've shown a great deal in attack when they've had their chances.
"They've been very resilient in defence."
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Fellow former All Black Karl Te Nana added: "I would be disappointed [if I was Crusaders coach Scott Robertson]. He would've expected a lot more from his Crusaders' outfit.
"He would've really expected them to stick to their plan.
"They got outmuscled, that normally doesn't get done to them."
Crusaders skipper Quinten Strange had nothing but high praise for the new side.
"Credit to them, they came out and played really well," Strange said.
"They defended well I thought and put us under pressure in areas. Credit to them."
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