This archive report was first published on 21 June 2020.
On June 21, 2020, the Super Rugby champions, Canterbury Crusaders, made a triumphant return to action with a resounding 39-25 victory over the Wellington Hurricanes in New Zealand's domestic version of the competition.
The Crusaders' performance was marked by their trademark efficiency, with five tries to one in their favor. However, their high penalty count was a notable blight on their otherwise impressive display.
The Crusaders, who have dominated the southern hemisphere club championship for the past three seasons, were looking to assert their dominance once again. They had been sidelined for over three months due to the coronavirus pandemic, but they quickly found their stride, scoring a try within the first two minutes of the game.
Sevu Reece, an All Blacks wing, dived over in the corner after a brilliant handling move that started from a stolen lineout and swept over 70 meters downfield. The Hurricanes, desperate to bounce back from their loss to the Auckland Blues, stayed in touch for much of the game, thanks to a succession of penalties.
However, the Crusaders found another gear and sealed the match with two late tries, ultimately securing a 39-25 win. The Hurricanes' skipper, TJ Perenara, praised the Crusaders' precision, stating, 'They pounced on opportunities in the first half … and scored off all of them which is a sign of a quality team.'
Crusaders captain Codie Taylor acknowledged their discipline issues, saying, 'Our discipline was pretty poor in the first half. We gave away countless penalties and a yellow card and that’s something we have to look at.'
