/ 23 March 2013

Crusaders dethrone Kings 55-20 in Super Rugby game

Crusaders Dethrone Kings 55 20 In Super Rugby Game

Flanker George Whitelock scored three tries, two in the first half and a third, five minutes from fulltime, to carry the Crusaders beyond 50 points.

Luke, the youngest of the four Whitehead brothers who play for the Christchurch-based Crusaders, took the field as a second-half replacement and scored his first Super Rugby try.

Carter kicked five conversions and two penalties in his last match before he takes a break to await the birth of his first child.

The All Blacks flyhalf will miss the Crusaders' matches in South Africa against the Stormers and Sharks, and possibly in Perth against the Western Force while on baby watch. He kept a perfect kicking record Saturday as did all four goal kickers used by both teams.

Carter's replacement, Tyler Bleyendaal, converted their last two tries while Demetri Catrakilis kicked a conversion and two penalties for the Kings and George Whitehead converted his own, 78th-minute try.

The Crusaders banked a four-try before halftime, scoring tries through Whitehead, prop Wyatt Crockett and scrumhalf Willi Heinz to lead 31-13 at the break. But after expanding their lead to 48-13 with tries to Matt Todd and Luke Whitelock, they were contained by the Kings' defense until George Whitelock scored their seventh and last try near fulltime.

"It was a great first half," Crusaders captain Keiran Read. "I think that's the challenge. You've got to come out and really hit it well early on."

"Accurately tonight we were outstanding early on so we're pleased with that. Against the South African sides you've got to really step up in the set pieces and our boys did that."  – Sapa-AP