Crusaders and All Blacks flyhalf Daniel Carter put on a clinically perfect performance, grabbing 15 points in guiding his side to a well deserved 35-17 win over the Bulls in their Vodacom Super 14 encounter at Loftus Versveld on Friday night.
Not only did Carter embarrass the Bulls in their much-feared arena, but the nimble-footed and agile Carter blew any hopes the Bulls had of making the semifinals.
The Bulls came into the game needing to beat the Crusaders and take maximum points in the process.
However, it was a well-rested Carter, who missed last week’s match against the Stormers, who not only bemused and bewildered the Bulls backs, but also the 42 000-strong predominantly Bulls supporters.
Playing behind a pack that was taking a heavy beating from the home side, Carter easily bamboozled the lethargic Bulls backs who seemed to lose each other in the braai-laden air at Loftus.
Carter may have played little or no part in his team’s opening try in the seventh minute when flanker Tanerau Latimer crashed over, but every other point scored had Carter’s touch.
The match was wrapped up by half-time as the Crusaders had amassed a 20 point lead of 23-3.
The Crusaders had safely thrust themselves into an unlikely domineering position as they sought to spread the ball wide after hitting a brick wall in trying to breach the Bulls’ forwards.
It was a ploy that worked wonderfully as the Crusaders grabbed their bonus point in the 60th minute when Latimer was on hand to round off another well anticipated breach of the Bulls defence by Carter.
Carter earned further respect with his defence splitting run to throw the final pass to Aaron Mauger who went over for a try in the 15th minute.
And while the Bulls players attempted to smile when Carter missed two easy penalties in the first half, it was Carter who enjoyed the last laugh as he snapped a drop-goal in the dying moments of the first half and capped off the evening by setting up MacDonald and Latimer’s second try.
The Bulls could only manage consolation tries in the 68th and 77th minute against a 14-man Crusaders after Greg Somerville was yellow carded for a professional foul. Firstly Victor Matfield crashed over and later it was substitute Heini Adams who crossed the line.
The Bulls succumbed through giving away possession, a knack for not altering their gameplan and ultimately — to Daniel Carter. – Sapa