Crusaders (NZ)

Emirates Western Force

A 12-minute points-scoring whirlwind midway through the second half kept the six-time champion Crusaders unbeaten after four rounds of the Investec Super 14 series.

The Force were on target for an upset win, leading 24-12 off the back of four tries, as the sunset showdown in Perth entered its final 25 minutes.

But two tries in as many minutes, with a third added soon after, delivered the title holders a thrilling victory in front of a crowd of more than 27,000 fans.

The Force opened the scoring in an entertaining first half, with flanker David Pocock latching on to a a quick offload to cross in the corner for a try that went unconverted by flyhalf Matt Giteau.

In the 16^th minute, the Crusaders hit back when flyhalf Daniel Carter bumped aside Giteau to cross from close range and convert to put the New Zealanders 7-5 in front. 

When prop Greg Somerville crashed over on 27 minutes, the Crusaders led 12-5. 

But the Force, enjoying a surplus of possession, launched their own points flurry late in the opening stanza.

Giteau drifted across field and found centre Ryan Cross running an angle that allowed him to scythe between two defenders, skip out of a covering tackle and score near the posts. Giteau converted for 12-all. 

Five minutes later another impressive attacking raid ended with No.8 Richard Brown scoring to give the Force a five-point lead at halftime.

The home side went into overdrive in the 49^th minute with centre Lachlan MacKay adding a bonus-point winning fourth try and Giteau converting for a 24-12 advantage.

In the draining heat, the Force were also ringing the changes.

But it was the Crusaders who finished the stronger. Second rower Ali Williams grabbed a try for the Kiwis in the 55^th minute.

Soon after the resumption the Crusaders turned over possession, shifted the ball to a short left hand blindside, and a 70m rush ended with halfback Andy Ellis collecting a high inside pass to score. Carter converted to lock the scores at 24-all. 

The crucial score came in the 68^th minute. Another raid on the left led to centre Casey Laulala touching down out wide for the final points of the match.

Consolation for the Force was the two bonus points they pocketed from the match – one for scoring four tries and the other for losing by seven points or less.

CRUSADERS 29

Tries : Carter, Somerville, Williams, Ellis, Laulala

Cons : D Carter 2

EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE 24

Tries : Pocock, Brown, Cross, MacKay

Cons : M Giteau 2