Leicester Fainga’anuku made his mark with a sensational try after a barnstorming run in the Crusaders’ 35-17 Super Rugby Pacific triumph over the Brumbies in Christchurch on Friday.
The game was still in its early stages with only six minutes on the clock as a well-worked lineout move resulted in Cody Taylor peeling off the maul. He then popped a short ball to the wing, who flew in at pace.
Fainga’anuku’s line was meticulously chosen as he barged through several defenders to crash over for a try that would have put a smile on the face of coach Scott Robertson.
💥 Leicester Faniga'anuku barges through the front door after a well worked strike play! The Crusaders are on the board. #CRUvBRU #SuperRugbyPacific pic.twitter.com/0hdegLfiQA
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) March 24, 2023
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Despite that Fainga’anuku try, the Brumbies opened the scoring with a Ryan Lonergan penalty in the third minute.
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The wing’s rampant try would follow before a period of Brumbies dominance resulted in a Braydon Ennor try in the 18th minute as the Crusaders showed how important a kick chase can be. Richie Mo’unga would convert as he did for the opening score.
Again the Brumbies would have long spells of possession but had nothing to show for it as hooker Codie Taylor went over for the Crusaders just before half-time in a play that started on their line. Mo’unga made no mistake from the tee again.
Lonergan who was a shining light for the Brumbies scored and converted a try in the 49th minute as he tried to force his side back in the game.
Less than 10 minutes later, the hard-running Fainga’anuku showed his class again, completing his brace of tries as Mo’unga once again obliged with the conversion.
The match would go into a long period of no scoring until speedster Corey Toole crossed for a converted Brumbies try before Crusaders star Christian Lio-Willie secured the bonus-point for his side whilst Mo’unga completed a perfect day’s kicking.
Video credit: Super Rugby Pacific