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Reuters

The Canterbury Crusaders shone in atrocious conditions in Christchurch to storm into the Super Rugby semi-finals with an emphatic 17-0 win over the Otago Highlanders on Saturday.
Chasing their eighth title and first since 2008, the Crusaders will remain in Christchurch next weekend to meet either the Stormers or the Waikato Chiefs.
Driving rain and wind greeted both teams at a sodden Rugby League Park but the conditions played into the hands of the home side’s dominant pack while dampening the Highlanders’ attacking firepower.
Front-rowers Joe Moody and Codie Taylor rumbled over for tries to drive the Crusaders to a 17-0 lead at half-time that the Highlanders were unable to budge in the second half.
“It wouldn’t have been the prettiest to watch but both sides just got on with it and didn’t complain,” a shivering Crusaders captain Sam Whitelock said.

“The weather was great for us and we really embraced it. We knew if we could be clean on the penalty count we would give ourselves a great opportunity.”
With severe flooding and three South Island regions under a state of emergency, the Highlanders’ preparations were thrown into disarray by the weather, their flight to Christchurch cancelled on Friday and their arrival delayed until seven hours before kickoff.
The 2015 champions hardly laid a finger on the ball in the first half and committed a rash of penalties to give the Crusaders all the momentum.
“I thought technically they were probably a bit smarter in the way they played,” Highlanders captain Ben Smith said. “Once they got down into our 22, they used the ball really wisely.”

The Highlanders emerged after the break with renewed commitment and stopped their opponents from scoring but were unable to capitalise on their few drives forward.
Crusaders fly half Richie Mo’unga slotted an early penalty but missed another shot 20 minutes later that would have stretched the lead to 6-0.
Hurricanes wear down Brumbies to reach Super Rugby semi-finals
The Crusaders’ forwards then flexed their muscles, however, winning a decisive scrum near the half-hour mark to win a five-metre line-out.
A few minutes of bashing against the Highlanders’ defence along the try line ended with referee Angus Gardner awarding a contentious pick-and-go try to prop Moody under a pile of players.

Controversy threatened again five minutes later, when the Crusaders rumbled over from a line-out drive and were awarded the try on the field.
It was cancelled moments later after the television match official was unable to see the ball grounded.
Christian Lealiifano’s return from cancer battle ‘an awesome moment’ for Super Rugby’s Brumbies
It scarcely mattered, as the Crusaders rumbled forward again, allowing hooker Taylor to score another pick-and-go try on the stroke of half-time.
Mo’unga duly converted and the Crusaders maintained their iron-willed discipline to close out a rousing win and warm the hearts of rain-soaked fans in the terraces.


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Super Rugby 2017

Crusaders stand tall in shocking conditions to reach Super Rugby semi-finals

Crusaders’ prop Joe Moody surges forward against the Highlanders. Photos: AP

Canterbury Crusaders players celebrate a try during their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Highlanders in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, July 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Crusaders Richie Mo'unga takes a penalty shot at goal during their Super Rugby quarterfinal against the Highlanders in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, July 22, 2017.The Crusaders defeated the Highlanders 17-0. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Crusaders Kieran Read wins lineup ball a against the Highlanders during their Super Rugby quarterfinal in Christchurch, New Zealand, Saturday, July 22, 2017. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Sport

Rugby

Canterbury side’s dominant pack the difference in 17-0 win over the Highlanders
