The Crusaders sent off their Addington home in emphatic style, running in 11 tries to rout the Fijian Drua 69-26 in Christchurch on Saturday in a match that doubled as an emotional farewell to the stadium. Hooker Codie Taylor produced a starring performance in his 150th appearance for the club, finishing with four tries and cementing his place as the highest try-scoring forward in Super Rugby history.
Christchurch’s power game overwhelmed the visitors early. The Crusaders crossed for five tries inside the opening 31 minutes, with Taylor touching down twice from dominant driving mauls and winger Sevu Reece adding a brace to put the contest beyond doubt inside the first half-hour. Centre Chay Fihaki also finished with two tries, while young playmaker Taha Kemara’s accurate goal-kicking kept the scoreboard ticking as the hosts ran riot.
Taylor completed his four-try haul early in the second half, drawing prolonged applause as he was substituted and saluted by the crowd in a fitting moment during the venue’s final match. The hooker’s milestone display was a personal landmark and provided a narrative focus to a night the Crusaders will remember for both individual and collective accomplishment.
Despite the scoreline, the Drua offered brighter moments after the interval. No.8 Elia Canakaivata crossed twice, his efforts highlighting improved resistance from the visitors in the second half and providing rare but welcome cheer for their travelling supporters. Nevertheless, the damage from the one-sided first half proved insurmountable for the Pacific side.
The result gives the Crusaders their third straight win and lifts them to fourth on the Super Rugby standings, a timely boost as the franchise prepares to move into the newly completed Te Kaha Stadium for the remainder of the season. For the Drua, the heavy defeat underscores lingering defensive vulnerabilities, particularly on the road, even as glimpses of attacking promise appeared after halftime.
Saturday’s match was notable not only for the margin but for what it signified for the Crusaders’ identity: a dominant forward platform backed by finishing from a multi-faceted backline and reliable kicking. The farewell to Addington provided an added layer of occasion, as the club and supporters marked the end of an era with a comprehensive victory.
Attention now turns to the Crusaders’ first fixtures at Te Kaha and how the team will build on the momentum from this performance. The Drua will be searching for concrete improvements in structure and discipline if they are to close down defensive lapses exposed in Christchurch and pick up points in forthcoming away assignments.
Leave a comment