WATCH: Crusaders battle past Brumbies
Last Updated: 26/02/17 1:25pm
The Crusaders kicked-off their Super Rugby campaign with a hard-fought 17-13 triumph over the Brumbies in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Crusaders started strongly, with their forwards rolling over a struggling Brumbies eight and a long-cut out pass by Israel Dagg putting new recruit Seta Tamanivalu in for a try inside the first four minutes.
But although they continued to dominate for most of the game, the points did not come as they ended up struggling to hold out a late surge by the Australians.
If there was one bright spot for the Crusaders, the most successful side in the history of the competition, it was that they finished with a win when they have a history of being slow starters to the season.
The Crusaders led 12-3 at half-time with Dagg, celebrating his 100th Super match, beating his man to set up their second try by backrower Whetu Douglas.
But the homeside went off the boil in the second half as Scott Fardy led a series of Brumbies raids deep into Crusaders territory.
A Rory Arnold try converted by Wharenui Hawera, who also kicked a first half penalty, closed the gap to two points three minutes into the second half.
The Crusaders replied with a pushover try to Pete Samu before Hawera added his second penalty to set a four-point margin which neither side was able to change in the final 15 minutes.
Click on the video above to watch the highlights
