The Cork native has added a few nice attacking wrinkles to the Crusaders game.
Ronan O’Gara will get his first ever taste of a Super Rugby final after helping the Crusaders to a comprehensive 30-12 victory over Hurricanes in Christchurch.
Just over seven months at his new posting, the Crusaders backs coach must have been delighted with how his charges took the fight to their Kiwi rivals at AMI Stadium.
Ahead of the game, the former Munster and Ireland outhalf reflected on his transition from coaching defence at Racing Metro to looking after the reigning champs’ backs division. He told Stuff:
“It took me three months to adapt, and they were, I suppose, a very challenging three months. But after that it was really easy. Razor [Scott Robertson] and Gus [Angus Gardiner] pulled me aside one day and just had a good word with me, and gave me a lot of confidence.
“Ever since then I have kind of kicked on and the backs have been great to deal with. I am excited, it is great for the club and it is great for me. It is what you want to be part of.”
Richie Mo’unga got the scoring started for the hosts when he scored and then converted his own try. Hurricanes hit back with a try of their own before George Bridge made it 12-7 and Mo’unga added two more penalties.
After the break, tries from David Havili and Braydon Ennor sealed the Crusaders’ place in the final. Mo’unga was pure class and has clearly benefited from having O’Gara on hand for advice and tactical help.
Head to https://t.co/KKYQPyCjRw to catch up on all the action from tonight! #CRUvHUR #wewill #crusadeon pic.twitter.com/ImSlDI5xzy
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) July 28, 2018
Hurricanes, coached by John Plumtree and Jason Holland, got a consolation try but they were well beaten at a venue that had large patches of empty seats. Crusaders fans, like Kilkenny and Kerry in their pomp, are used to reaching finals and winning silverware.
The victory is Crusaders’ 14th on the spin and they look unstoppable heading into next weekend’s final.
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