Rugby: Lambie's penalties sink Crusaders

Seven penalties from Sharks first-five Pat Lambie were enough to beat the Crusaders at Kings Park in Durban this morning.

The Crusaders had led 11-9 at halftime and the lead changed three times in the second half, before the Sharks finished the stronger. It appeared last weekend's grinding victory over the Stormers in Cape Town had taken its toll on the Crusaders.

Todd Blackadder's men looked sharp in the first half, with Robbie Fruean proving a handful and helping to set up Andy Ellis' try, but appeared to run out of energy in the face of a Sharks' comeback.

Blackadder also elected to withdraw Sam and Luke Whitelock and Wyatt Crockett after the break, with Zac Guildford also leaving the field, although he iced a hamstring on the sideline afterwards.

The bonus point gives the Crusaders five points from their two games in the Republic, but they still have a challenging match against the Force in Perth on the way home next weekend.

"We'll take the five points but we're very disappointed we couldn't finish it off tonight," Crusaders captain George Whitelock said.

The Crusaders were on the wrong side of some strange decisions from referee Lourens van der Merwe which allowed Lambie to take advantage with his boot. He kicked seven from seven.

With time running out and the score 18-17, Crusaders first-five Tyler Bleyendaal missed with two long-range penalty attempts.

Another curious breakdown penalty from van der Merwe allowed Lambie to seal the win.

The defeat allows the Blues to overtake the Crusaders to second on the New Zealand conference table after they beat the Highlanders at Eden Park last night.

The Crusaders trailed 6-3 after 19 minutes before pulling off the attacking move of the match. From a scrum deep inside their half, Fruean pushed off his opposite and fed fullback Tom Marshall, who released Adam Whitelock. The left wing linked expertly with the supporting Ellis.

A penalty from Bleyendaal pushed the lead to 11-6 before Lambie struck after the halftime hooter after Fruean was adjudged to have made a late tackle.

The Crusaders' defence was again excellent against a Sharks team who had a bye last weekend - Luke Whitelock pulled off the tackle of the match when bringing down Franco van der Merwe in the corner when the lock seemed certain to score.

Sharks 21 (Pat Lambie 7 pens) Crusaders 17 (Andy Ellis try; Tyler Bleyendaal 4 pens). HT: Crusaders 11-9.