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| | Saturday, 25 May, 2002, 12:38 GMT 13:38 UK Gregan hails 'champion' Crusaders Lock Chris Jack and hooker Mark Hammett celebrate ACT Brumbies captain George Gregan saluted a "champion" Crusaders team after they relieved his side of their Super 12 crown in Christchurch. The Wallabies scrum-half admitted Canterbury deserved to regain the title they won three times in a row from 1998 to 2000. Two Caleb Ralph tries in the final four minutes saw the home side prevail 31-13 after the Brumbies had closed to 14-13 with eight minutes left.
Victory completed a remarkable season for the South Island province, who won all 13 games for the first time in the tournament's seven-year history. "They really played well," said Gregan. "It shows you why they have been the outstanding team all year. "We never really got our hands on the ball in the first half and that is where they really stuck it to us. "We were asking questions of them in their 22 but they created some great turnovers under pressure. "We came up against a champion team, and they are deserving champions. You have got to respect them."
To the delight of a partisan 38,000 crowd at the Jade Stadium, captain Reuben Thorne followed in the footsteps of three-time winning skipper Todd Blackadder to lift the Super 12 trophy. The All Blacks flanker paid tribute to his side's resilience in the face of some intense Brumbies pressure in the second half. "It is a fantastic feeling," Thorne said. "The guys have worked really hard all season for this and tonight we got the rewards. "It was not the best we have played but we stuck to our guns and got the result.
"The Brumbies were very tough, but the guys were really determined on our own patch and didn't want to let anything through. I am really proud of them." Thorne also praised the outgoing champions for their contribution to the southern hemisphere's provincial showpiece, having reached the final for the past three years. "They are a fantastic side, and have really raised the bar in terms of the Super 12," he added.
The Brumbies' disappointment was compounded by news that Stephen Larkham could be doubtful for Australia's forthcoming Test season after damaging elbow ligaments. The fly-half was taken to hospital for X-rays following the match after landing heavily in a tackle by Scott Robertson after half-an-hour. Depending on the prognosis, Larkham could miss the Wallabies' two June Tests against France, with the Tri Nations series to follow in July and August. | |
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