Big second half carries Crusaders to victory over Rebels

Crusaders winger Macca Springer scores a try against the Melbourne Rebels.
Photo: Photosport

The Crusaders fought back from 12 points down at halftime to beat the Rebels in Melbourne on Friday and climb to third in Super Rugby Pacific.

Still struggling for their best form because of a long injury list, the defending champions unleashed a strong second spell – which they won 31-3 – to notch a sixth win from eight games.

First five-eighth Richie Mo’unga converted five of six tries and landed a penaly while fellow-All Blacks inside back David Havili crossed once in each half.

But it was a flattering final scoreline for the visitors, who looked disjointed throughout the first spell and were rocked by tries to Rebels trio Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi and Ryan Louwrens within the space of 10 minutes to fall well behind.

It took Havili’s second try, in the 55th minute, to spark the comeback before the floodgates opened in the final quarter with three tries.

One of them went to replacement hooker Ioane Moananu, who was only playing after Test hooker Codie Taylor withdrew before kickoff with a complaint.

Coach Scott Robertson will hope his players have come through unscathed as he’s already having to cope without a swag of first-choice players, including props Fletcher Newell and George Bower and winger Sevu Reece, who have been ruled out for the season.

It was a sixth loss for the Rebels, who sit third from bottom on the standings but only three points outside a top-eight spot.

– RNZ