The Crusaders carry their faint hopes of a playoff berth to Auckland, where they meet the Blues. Join The Roar for live scores, commentary and a bit of chat from 5:30pm (AEST).
The Blues have had a poor season, and were pretty much out of finals contention since about the third week.
This being the penultimate round, there’s not much left for the team, save patronising things like retaining a bit of dignity and so on. So, we’ll just leave them to the side for now, like a TV chef does with his prepared ingredients.
This match’s liveliness comes from the Crusaders. They’re beyond winning the New Zealand conference, where they’re currently fourth, they’re eighth overall on 36 points, with the sixth-placed Brumbies on 42.
The maximum point haulage the Crusaders can hope for is 10 – eight points from two wins, plus a bonus point from both games for scoring four tries or more. They’ll be hoping to get the full five in Auckland, before jetting off and doing the same in Canberra next week.
Being eighth, though, means that a bonus point win by the Brumbies in Perth last night (highly likely) and a win by the fifth-placed Chiefs (on 44 points) against the Reds later on tonight (also highly likely) will mean all those dreams are busted.
If that is the case and the most successful Super Rugby province misses out on a finals spot for the first time in yonks, then they at least they can play to retain some of their dignity.
For the home side, who are also missing a few players due to the U20s World Cup, they will be captained by their hooker James Parsons. The Blues will also feature four debutants.
The Crusaders, on the other hand, welcome back Wyatt Crockett, Codie Taylor and Dominic Burke. Ryan Crotty is back, albeit on the bench, as is Sam Whitelock, who still hasn’t fully recovered from the smothering in cotton-wool that SANZAR gave him after the Waratahs game.
Prediction
The Crusaders were rampant in their last game, a great response to their close loss to the Waratahs the week previous. They’ll fill their objectives by beating the Blues with a bonus point.
Crusaders by 10.
RobC
Roar Guru
phew, Im glad you didnt listed to me, RT :p Blues had the same odds and the Reds. Similar score margin too. Havent seen the game yet, was out of the house. Will watch it later.
Harry Jones
Expert
Great blogging, Nicholas!
Warwick Todd
Guest
And I guess that's why they call them the Blues.
Mick Gold Coast QLD
Roar Guru
I did enjoy watching Dan Carter and Sir Richie motor through that with confident ease, especially after reading at The Roar that they are now both barely relevant. We haven't had a competent first five since Larkham retired in '07 and, at 7, Sir Richie has during fourteen years easily seen off up to a dozen of our pretenders, including the current two small and limited contenders. The Crusaders played like they expected to win that and to win it well in the final twenty minutes. When they are on song they simply stand alone above the rest.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks buddy, its just the way it is... great win last night for you guys but a little sombre due to the events of the earlier 24 hours. Ayla Collins, the baby is progressing as I read in the NZ Hearld, but as a parent, geez its hard not to think about her.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Mate, like you, I will support whoever they put in ... I may not like it but I am not a decision maker in that exercise so no point in getting my blood pressure up any higher than it is already! ... We have not had a decent coach for years .. and from Sir JK viewpoint, he is a great man but he has had his chance and he did not measure up ... time to step aside.
Rugby Tragic
Guest
UGH ... I hate it when people tell me the truth!
Woodsman
Guest
Fancy taking Richard Graham off our hands?
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks Nick, hard luck RT, one more week!
Rugby Tragic
Guest
It was expected mate...to be fair, but better times will come...if they don't sort out their boardroom and coaching failings, I just hope I am around to see it.... 13 years so far and counting!!!
Woodsman
Guest
He's used to it ;)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Crusaders were too strong, congratulations to them and their supporters ... regretfully Blues were very average.. so many new young players but they will be better for the experience ... guidance (read that any way you like) is necessary, where is that going to come from?
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
Thanks champ. Sorry about the loss mate!
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
81' FULLTIME Well, pretty easy for the Crusaders then. They win the scrum and the ball doesn't do much until it gets run out. Easy easy win for the Crusaders tonight. They got their bonus point win, now here's hoping for them that the Chiefs and the Waratahs cough up. The Reds v Chiefs game is on now, and you can go join - someone or other, the blog hasn't been put up yet - in just a second. It's probably the best of blokes Diggercane doing it. I don't there's really much else to say. Thanks for joining everyone, and don't forget about the Tahs derby on later tonight, at 11pm (Chee-tahs v Wara-tahs, geddit?) Cheers BLU 11 CRU 34
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Thanks Nicholas....
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
79' We have a lineout for the Crusaders, inside their own 22m, after a Blues kick was well chased down. Blues were already playing a lot of youngsters as is, but they've sent on all their subs, and it looks like the whole training squad is having a crack. The play, after being kicked back, results in a scrum for the Crusaders on the 50m line BLU 11 CRU 34
Nicholas Hartman
Roar Guru
75' TRY!!! LAM (Blu) - conv Ref calls no try for the previous bit of action, because the ball was held up. But easy as pie, from the following scrum, the Blues send it wide left and Lam gets over for his first Super try. BLU 11 CRU 34
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Deny Lam that one then!! Wooo
Rugby Tragic
Guest
C'mon........ the try was awarded! right or wrong!
Highlander
Guest
Anyone really fancy playing the Crusades if they beat the odds and make the finals?