The Crusaders ended their Northern Hemisphere trip on a high note, defeating the Bristol Bears 31-14 on Friday night in front of 18,302 fans.
Tries from Makkah Springer (twice), Levi Aumua (twice) and Noah Hossam clinched victory, with Ribeth Reihana and Taha Kemara contributing to the points with shots from the tee at Ashton Gate.
Fred Davis and Kieran Marmion scored tries for Bristol, but it was converted by AJ McGinty as the hosts were ultimately thrashed by the Super Rugby Pacific holders.
1 loss, 1 win on tour
The Crusaders went into the game losing 21-19 to United Rugby Championship holders Munster in front of over 40,000 supporters in Páirc Uí Chaoimh.
It took until the 27th minute for the first point to be scored, with hooker Davies scoring from a lineout pushover to make it 7-0 through Bristol.
However, the New Zealanders hit back before half-time, with winger Springer crossing in the corner before Reihana added another point to lock the scoreline at half-time.
Springer scored two points in the 52nd minute with a pinpoint kick before finishing, and Reihana scored another two points for a 14-7 lead.
But it didn't take long for the Bears to fight back, with a break from center James Williams and a cross from scrum-half Marmion before McGinty tied the score at 14 apiece.
It was a back-and-forth game in Bristol, with substitute Aumua powering over from close range, and soon after, Chuo crossed again to give the visitors a 26-14 lead.
Rob Penney's side added one more goal before the end, with another substitute, Hotsam, crossing the whitewashed goal for an impressive second-half performance.
🔴 Crusaders perform the haka ahead of their match against Bristol Bears. #BRIvCRUpic.twitter.com/py6AGIDJCJ
— Planet Rugby (@PlanetRugby) February 9, 2024
The Crusaders will return home to prepare for their final pre-season match for Super Rugby Pacific 2024, against the Highlanders at Methven Recreational Reserve.
The reigning champions begin their regular season schedule on Friday, February 23rd, on the road against the Chiefs, in their first season since the departure of head coach Scott Robertson.
Bristol Bears return to Premiership action against Northampton Saints on Friday, March 22, hoping to make a late push towards a hard-fought play-off spot.
team
Bristol Bears: 15 Rich Lane, 14 Noah Heward, 13 Benhard Janse van Rensburg, 12 James Williams, 11 Siva Naulago, 10 AJ McGinty, 9 Harry Randall, 8 Magnus Bradbury, 7 Fitz Harding. , 6 Joe Owen, 5 Joe Batley, 4 Stephen Luatua, 3 Kyle Sinckler, 2 Fred Davis, 1 Sam Graham-Slaw.
Replacement: 16 Thomas Gwilliam, 17 Andrew Turner, 18 Jonny Benz-Salomon, 19 Ed Holmes, 20 Paddy Pearce, 21 Dan Thomas, 22 Kieran Marmion, 23 Sam Worsley, 24 Calaveti Lavouvu, 25 Virimi・Vakatawa, 26 Gabriel Ibitoye
Crusade: 15 Chai Fihaki, 14 Manasa Mataele, 13 Joan Loba, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Ribeth Reihana, 9 Willie Heinz (c), 8 Christian Rio-Willey, 7 Corey Kellow, 6 Dominic Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hanna, 4 Quinten Strange, 3 Seb Calder, 2 George Bell, 1 Carshawl Sykes-Martin
Replacement: 16 Ioan Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Ryan Coxon, 19 Antonio Charhoun, 20 Fletcher Anderson, 21 Noah Hossam, 22 Taha Kemara, 23 Levi Aumua, 24 Thain Robinson, 25 Jack Gray, 26 Gus Brown
read more: Nick Easter's Six Nations predictions: One away win in the Cards and the 'test' Wales will pose for England
