Christchurch: Richie Mo’unga drove a resolute and clinical Canterbury Crusaders around the field as they beat South Africa’s Lions 37-18 to clinch their ninth Super Rugby title in front of a sold-out crowd at Rugby League Park in Christchurch on Saturday.
The Crusaders fly-half, who was named man-of-the-match, slotted 17 points with the boot and provided the attacking spark for the Crusaders, who defended for much of the match and seized what scoring chances they had.
Not even a late yellow card to Ryan Crotty was able to stop the Crusaders, who scored tries to outside backs Seta Tamanivalu and David Havili, lock Scott Barrett and replacement scrum half Mitchell Drummond.
Flanker Cyle Brink and hooker Malcolm Marx scored tries for the Lions, who suffered their third successive final defeat, having lost to the Wellington Hurricanes in 2016 and Crusaders last year.
The Lions dominated territory and possession for much of the match but were unable to turn that into points, while the Crusaders efficiently struck when they had their opportunities to build scoreboard pressure.
Elton Jantjies and Mo’unga traded penalties before some hard, straight running and quick ball by the Crusaders set up space for Tamanivalu to cross in the right corner four minutes later.
The home side repeated the dose when Mo’unga extended the lead to 13-3 before Havili crossed after a searing counter attack from the fly half following a poor Jantjies kick had opened the field up.
Jantjies reduced the deficit to 20-6 shortly before the break but Mo’unga extended it again when he slotted his third penalty in the 43rd minute.
The Lions continued to hammer at the Crusaders to the point that by the time Brink had smashed his way through two tackles and ran 25 metres to reduce the deficit 23-13 the tide appeared to have turned.
The Crusaders, however, regrouped and swept back downfield with some superb interplay that put Drummond over to give them a 30-13 lead with little under 20 minutes remaining.
While Marx scored his 12th try of the season shortly after Crotty was sin-binned for a cynical professional foul, the Crusaders ensured there was no chance of a fightback when a searing run from winger George Bridge following a quick line-out on halfway set up Barrett’s try.
“Thanks to the Lions. They were absolutely outstanding and set the pace all year. Three years in finals is well deserved,” Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said.
Lions captain Warren Whiteley said. “A bit gutted, but I’m just proud of every individual who gave it everything out there.
“Credit to Sam and his team. They were unbelievable. Everything we threw at them they stopped. We tried everything, threw the kitchen sink at them and they deserve this win.”
