It was an important win for the Crusaders as they look to shore up their position in the playoff spots. With a bye next week, the Crusaders have just two more assignments remaining this season; hosting the Chiefs and Hurricanes, the other two teams alongside the Blues in the top three spots on the ladder.
Against the Blues, both sides got off to horrible starts
Crusaders first five-eighths Rivez Reihana kicked the ball out on the full at the kick off, offering the Blues the ball in a great position with a scrum on halfway.
Then Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan returned the favour, kicking the ball out on the full after the scrum.
The Crusaders eventually settled into their work and began to enjoy long periods in possession to test the Blues’ defences. The Blues were able to keep the hosts at bay and although conceding penalties inside their own 22m consistently, they were doing enough to keep the Crusaders out.
It was a penalty from the boot of Blues first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta that opened the scoring for the night, but the Crusaders eventually cashed in one of their opportunities.
It’s not often you’ll see a set play for the prop from an attacking lineout, but that looked to be the case as the ball was quickly distributed, and openside flanker Leicester Fainga’anuku tipped it on to the charging Bower. The prop showed a bit of footwork to get to the line for a try that had the whole team celebrating.
It was a night for Crusaders forwards who previously didn’t have a try, with lock Jamie Hannah getting his 10 minutes later, scooping up a loose ball and striding to score after Blues halfback Sam Nock failed to clean up a Fainga’anuku chip kick.
Fainga’anuku was again a presence in all areas as he put boot to ball, was involved in the attack and got stuck in at the breakdown to snatch a few turnovers.
But just as it looked like the Crusaders were kicking into gear, a terrific solo effort from A.J. Lam after a Crusaders knock on in the Blues’ 22 saw the visitors close the gap. With a try to Nock just before halftime, the Blues took a one-point lead into the break.
But the Crusaders came out of the break strong, reclaiming the lead through Reihana, who made the most of a scrambling Blues defensive line from close range.
Replacement halfback Kyle Preston pushed the hosts out further with a good effort from close range in the 51st minute but the Crusaders were destined to finish the game with a numbers disadvantage after outside back Kurtis MacDonald had his yellow card for dangerous contact upgraded to a red 67 minutes in, before prop Jack Sexton was shown a late yellow card for a cynical infringement to slow down a Blues attack two minutes later
While the Blues added another try through Hoskins Sotutu, a late score for replacement hooker George Bell sealed the win.
Crusaders 36 (George Bower, Jamie Hannah, Rivez Reihana, Kyle Preston, Sevu Reece, George Bell tries; Reihana 3 cons)
Blues 20 (A.J. Lam, Sam Nock, Hoskins Sotutu try; Stephen Perofeta pen, Beauden Barrett con)
HT: 12-13
Blues coach Vern Cotter has retained Sam Nock and Stephen Perofeta at halfback and first five-eighths, leaving All Blacks duo Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett to come off the bench.
It’s a big call as defeat for either side could have massive repercussions, as Crusaders desperate to close the gap on the top three sides, while the Blues want to keep pressure on the Hurricanes.
“It gives Beauden and Fin a bit of time to sit back and have a role off the bench, which will be important to us,’ Cotter said.
“If you want a result later in the season, especially down in Christchurch, you need a strong 23.”
The Blues are boosted by the return of three key forwards with Dalton Papali’i, Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Bradley Slater all named to start.
Meanwhile the Crusaders will welcome back star winger Sevu Reece in what will be just their second match at their new stadium, Te Kaha.
Reece returns having missed the last two games with illness, as part of three changes to the Crusaders’ backline that sees Dallas McLeod and Rivez Reihana replace Braydon Ennor (hamstring) and pivot Taha Kemara (knee) respectively.
Leicester Fainga’anuku is retained in the loose forwards, while prop George Bower will bring up his 100th match.
The Blues beat the Crusaders 29-13 when they met earlier this season and another win would mark just the second time (2003) they have beaten them twice in a season.
Crusaders: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Antonio Shalfoon, 5. Jamie Hannah, 6. Ethan Blackadder, 7. Leicester Fainga’anuku, 8. Christian Lio‑Willie, 9. Noah Hotham, 10. Rivez Reihana, 11. Macca Springer, 12. David Havili (c), 13. Dallas McLeod, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Johnny McNicholl.
Bench: 16. George Bell, 17. Jack Sexton, 18. Seb Calder, 19. Tahlor Cahill, 20.Dom Gardiner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Cooper Grant, 23. Kurtis Macdonald.
Blues: 1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2. Bradley Slater, 3. Sam Matenga, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c), 5. Sam Darry, 6. Malachi Wrampling, 7. Dalton Papali’i, 8. Hoskins Sotutu, 9. Sam Nock, 10. Stephen Perofeta, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Pita Ahki, 13. AJ Lam, 14. Kade Banks, 15. Zarn Sullivan.
Bench: 16. James Mullan, 17. Mason Tupaea, 18. Flyn Yates, 19. Laghlan McWhannell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Finlay Christie, 22. Beauden Barrett, 23. Xavi Taele.