Crusaders ease past Sharks with 40-10 win to reach semi-final

Crusaders 40-10 Sharks, AMI Stadium
Scorecard

Crusaders came up with a scintillating performance as they defeated Sharks 40-10 at AMI Stadium on Saturday to progress to the semi-final of the ongoing Super Rugby season.

The home side managed to win a scrum penalty early in the game but fly-half Richie Mo'unga kicked to touch. The infringements continued from Sharks as Thomas du Toit was penalised but this time Mo'unga kicked a penalty goal to give Crusaders lead.

Crusaders further stepped up the gears as they scored back to back tries in a span of four minutes. First Bryn Hall crashed in the corner in the ninth minute following Ryan Crotty offloaded to fullback David Kaetau Havili for their second try. The conversions was missed on both the occasion but Crusaders stretched their lead to 13-0.

Sharks were under pressure and they eventually got their first points on the board when Jacobus Van Wyk crossed over in the 26th minute and Robert du Preez kicked the conversion to reduce the gap to six points but Mo'unga with his second penalty kick before the break ensured Crusaders had a 16-7 lead.

The New Zealand side were quick to get off the block in the second half with Matt Todd touching down and Mo'unga improved it to make it 23-7. Du Preez with a penalty kick took Sharks to 10 points but that remained the final points in the game for the visitors in the game as Braydon Ennor and Peter Samu scored further tries in the 68th and 72nd minutes to complete a 40-10 victory for Crusaders.