The Crusaders have moved back to the top of Super Rugby, overcoming some valiant defence by the Blues before prevailing 26-21 in Auckland.
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The win at Eden Park lifts the Crusaders above previous leaders the Chiefs, who lost to the Waratahs in Sydney on Friday.
But the Christchurch-based side faced some tenacious opponents on Saturday night and pulled away only in the last 10 minutes thanks to two Richie Mo’unga penalties.
For the Blues, the loss is a huge blow to their hopes of making the playoffs, leaving them eight points behind the Highlanders, who hold the last wildcard in the Australasian group.
After surviving an energetic start by the Blues, the Crusaders hit the front in the 10th minute through giant winger Nemani Nadolo.
The Fijian, returning from a four-week ban for a dangerous tackle, began the attack when he pulled in a kick and returned the ball.
The Crusaders worked the phases before Nadolo touched down in the corner.
Behind 7-0, the Blues hit back when blindside flanker Jerome Kaino charged down fly-half Mo’unga’s clearing kick, and Mo’unga’s opposite number, Ihaia West, produced a step to score.
West couldn’t convert from wide out and the Blues were forced into a period of tough defence.
Twice the Crusaders turned down shots at goal to go for the corner and twice the Blues kept them out, the first time repelling more than a dozen phases.
The home side’s reward was to hit the front in the shadow of halftime, with centre George Moala powering his way over for a converted try.
The match turned into an arm wrestle as Mo’unga and West ticked the score over with penalties before the Crusaders edged ahead again midway through the second spell.
Centre Kieron Fonotia’s incisive break was finished off by halfback Andy Ellis, and Mo’unga added the extras for a two-point lead.
In the 67th minute, the Crusaders again turned down a shot at goal to go for the corner and again they couldn’t convert.
But two further Mo’unga penalties meant the Blues were faced with scoring twice with six minutes to go.
They managed a bonus point when inside centre Piers Francis landed a post-hooter penalty.
ClarkeG
Guest
Todd unlucky as Hansen said but like a number of other players, he is only a injury away from getting the call up.
Old Bugger
Guest
Cane is already a member of the leadership group. Hansen has already chosen Ben Smith as vc anyway.
cuw
Guest
think Franklin was in the last year rwc training as well. hansen likes to keep the circle tight :P all blacks training must be a trade secret these days. (who knows , the fijians may show a marked improvement with Patrick Osborne joining them and using his knowledge of MIB training to good use :D)
cuw
Guest
@ Old Bugger He is the only other proper 8 in NZ , since Vito is leaving. if u look at the 5 super teams chiefs have leitch and noone else since Vaipulu has dropped out. crusaders have read and noone else (but Taufua can cover) hurricanes have vito and part timers in shields and thomson highlandres have squire , whitelock and dixon's part time blues have teo part times - Luatua and kaino Whitelock has had a few good games , but as the under 20 captain in 2011 , he has not stepped up the game. he shud have challenged for the 6/8 spot a couple of years ago but still there is time.
cuw
Guest
do not agree moaman imo , Hansen likes TKB for his defence and physicality. also i think he likes the heart TKB has - he plays like taufua without any regard for self preservation. do not forget Gus Pulu will be back from the 7s , much improved and fitter. at the end of the day u need only 2 in the team so :) imo , TJP is good but he tends to lose it at times mentally. that maybe the reaason he is down the ladder. he does not help his cause with his lip , especially with the refs. if u watch closely the all balcks always try to maintain a respectful relationship with the ref. best example was the crusaders v lions match. Strawberry was crooked but Read still did not lose it though his anger was very visible in his face.
cuw
Guest
SERIOSLY ??? ASIA RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS tier one has - JAPAN , HK , SOUTH KOREA tier two has - Malaysia , Sri Lanka , Philippines , Singapore in fact Japan , minus the wolves et al have won the ARC in the weekend , beating HK. http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2016/05/28/more-sports/rugby/japan-men-women-wrap-up-asian-rugby-titles/ few weeks back Malaysia beat Sri Lanka to win tier 2. http://www.nst.com.my/news/2016/05/145068/rugby-malaysia-upset-sri-lanka-asian-rugby-championships
cuw
Guest
@ moaman VITO - leaving for Europe i believe so his career is probably over. JANE - again old and career probably over unless .... HIKA - i think he is banned fronm blacks for a reason other than on-field performance MESSAM - am worried his 7S injuries have slowed him down . He is not he most physical of 6s so his speed was the USP. LUATUA - Blues shud take responsibility for thatone. in my very amateur opinion he is a 2ndrow who can play 6 but not an 8. has not been good as 8 for BLUES and has not played much at 6 or 5 to outshine Dixon. Unlucky names shud include TAUFUA - unfortunately as i said in another post , he is just too short for the prototype 6 in the current world. now had he been a 7 , he would give Savea a run for his money. Also unlucky his 3rd row partner TODD - can anyone tell me what he had done wrong ?? he is a solid 7 but then HAnsen has never liked him - he chose Cane ahead of Todd all those years ago. in backs LOWE may be on the fringe and his injuries may have counted against him. Mcnichol going to europe so no joy for him. Ranger injured and Moala still crap (in my book :) ). there are many good players but some may need a little time to prove they are not one hit wonders !!!
cuw
Guest
wonder if u notice another change? I expected Cane to made VC , considering he even captained a game at rwc. so it seems , Hansen may just start Savea if not in the first game at least once in the series.
Highlander
Guest
Franklin is a huge work load player, his tackle stats are awesome
Old Bugger
Guest
Squire is the big rap for me too richard. His selection was a worry earlier when he struggled with his own concussion issues and also struggled, to get a start for the Landers with Whitelock, playing so well. Also Thompson coming along with the Canes and Luatua at the Blues. That's some playing stock, to beat in the selection race, for sure. I was rapping Squire a couple of seasons ago as one to watch following his efforts with the Chiefs. Looks like someone else was rapping him too - I'm pleased.
Old Bugger
Guest
Yep, I like this squad. The big for me is Hansen sticking to his 6 loose forwards like the RWC last year when he dropped a lock to cover the loosies whereas this time he drops an HB to cover his 6. Still, its a home series so if TKB isn't ready then TJP, is ready to cover. I also like Ofa's selection. Hansen isn't going to waste time looking for the extra LH or TH props and has gone back to the old process of banking a prop, who can play both sides. Time to work with Ofa over the next couple of seasons and Shag saves a spot for the next RWC selections. Visionary or not....?? I suggest the former. His backline selections offer so many combinations from FH thru' to the outsides and SBW to return - again, this is forward vision to work on all the combinations over the next couple of seasons. I think with Smithy in as Shag's "D" coach, then these combinations are gonna be just fine and IMO, ready for peaking, in 2019....barring injury or form loss, of course. Yep, I like this first-up squad....once again, we get to see Hansen & Co's vision to cover not just the retirees but also, those set to leave NZ for Europe, later this year. A youngish squad together with a solid group from last year to work on, over the next few seasons - reminiscent perhaps, of his first squad, back in 2012.
richard
Guest
Agreed about Kaino,there might be life in the old boy yet.And Dixon is obviously in as a 6 who can cover lock.And I like that Squire has made it,as he to me is a natural 8 ( one never knows with Read's noggin).Am also glad A.Savea made it,he has been the form 7 in NZ.I am not a big Cane fan personally. Even so,a good side overall and I think too much for Wales.I would have preferred the England siide coming here,they would test us more.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Amazing! Never even knew they played it. And Frano? Geez, means he lives there? Wouldnt have expected that.
Winston
Guest
Tu’ungafasi.?? didn't see that coming
moaman
Roar Guru
TM I went to Stuff to look at the Test Squad and stumbled on this; worth a read. http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/80457212/from-the-streets-to-the-stadium-the-rugby-boy-of-manila
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yes I would have gone for Barrett then Fatialofa before Franklin so shows what I know about forwards. The other two looked more 'spectacular' I suppose.
moaman
Roar Guru
add Luatua to that list....
moaman
Roar Guru
richard Clearly some selections reward past deeds and loyalty to incumbency;\ Harris and TKB also.I would have put Jerome Kaino in that bracket too except last night he was monstrous!
moaman
Roar Guru
Not only the fabulous six that have left TM but think of the other names out there who could bolster an exciting NZ B side....Vito,Jane,Shields,Hika Elliot,Todd,SBW,Messam to name a few.....
moaman
Roar Guru
If you think about it--the selection of an injured TKB just highlights that as an area of weakness in comparison to most other positions.* If we had a decent programme for a NZ B side--(tour the islands?/Canada/USA/Japan) your TKBs et al could work their way back in after extended injury breaks. * Neither TJP nor Weber have quite done enough to force the Selectors' hands...so they rightly revert to the status quo.IN TJP's case---had he been producing fully rounded performances it would have been a no-brainer to include him and rule Barlow out.