Dagg marks comeback with two tries as Crusaders down Jaguares
Last Updated: 15/04/16 4:02pm
All Black Israel Dagg made a two-try return from injury as the Crusaders beat the Jaguares 32-15 in Christchurch.
The full-back has not featured for the Crusaders at all this year while he recovered from shoulder surgery after picking up an injury in September, and he marked his return with a pair of tries as his side continued their good form.
The Crusaders posted their sixth win in eight rounds to climb to within two points of the table-topping Chiefs.
Dagg's first try was one of two scored by the Crusaders while the Jaguares were reduced to 14 men thanks to the sin-binning of full-back Joaquin Tuculet. Fly-half Richie Mo'unga also scored during this spell, helping the Crusaders to a 22-3 lead at the break.
The Jaguares fought back in the initial stages of the second period. Facundo Isa clawed a try back for the Argentines shortly after the restart, darting from the back of a maul then powering past Ellis to make it 22-10, but on the hour mark the home side scored through Kieran Read to put distance between the teams.
Dagg then scored his second try to make it 32-10 before Santiago Gonzalez Iglesias crossed for an unconverted try to being an end to proceedings.
It was the sixth loss in a row for the Jaguares, and assistant coach Felipe Contepomi made no excuses for his side's performance.
"We had a bad game, especially in the first half, but it's part of our learning curve," Contepomi said.
"The Crusaders are one of the best teams in the competition and we made a lot of unforced errors. It's disappointing."
