The Blues’ woeful record in Kiwi Super Rugby derbies has continued with a bruising 32-24 loss to the Crusaders in Auckland.
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Final score
Blues 24
Crusaders 32
The Blues are out to break a 16-game winless streak against the competition-leading Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and blog starting from 5:35pm (AEST).
For the Blues, this is the second of four consecutive home matches, before they take to the road for the last two games of the regular season.
Things aren’t all doom and gloom just yet for the men in blue, who are in 12th, only trailing the eighth-placed Bulls by seven points, meaning a win tonight – while not improving their placing – could bridge the gap between them and finals football.
The Crusaders have the narrowest of gaps between them and the Hurricanes at time of writing, given the latter have a game in hand, so a bonus point will be their focus.
It is the first of two times this year that these clubs will play off, the Canterbury-based team having won the last five encounters dating back to 2015, with an average winning margin of 13.
You have to go back to Round 3 in 2014 to find a Blues win against last year’s premiers, suggesting that maybe a win is a step too far. At the same time however, the Saders have only won ten of their last 16 against New Zealand teams.
The Blues have won only three games this season, six fewer than tonight’s opponents, raising questions whether they deserve to be so close to a finals position.
Tana Umaga has been re-signed as a coach, a brave move given his team’s positions have hardly been outstanding, with an 11th, ninth, and currently 12th ranking.
For the Blues, Paulasi Manu comes into the front row for Ross Wright, while the second row sees Matiaha Martin debut, replacing Patrick Tuipulotu.
Dalton Papali may also slide into the backrow, while in the backs, Melani Nani will come on to the right wing, shifting Rieko Ioane left for Caleb Clarke, and Michael Collins will wear 23 on the bench.
The Crusaders make six changes, with Tim Perry replacing Joe Moody, Owen Franks in for Michael Alaalatoa, Quinten Strange trades places with Sam Whitelock, and Pete Samu drops to the bench for Heiden Bedwell-Curtis.
In the backs, George Bridge comes to the wing after his coach opted out of a potential match-up with Taqele Naiyaravoro last round, meaning David Havili moves into fullback, and Manasa Mataele heads onto the bench. Ryan Crotty also returns, taking Tim Bateman’s spot at 12.
A great battle at fullback looms, as Havili comes up against Matt Duffie.
Prediction
I can’t see the Blues knocking over the Crusaders for the first time since 2014.
Crusaders by 15.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me tonight as the Crusaders held out the Blues 32-24, to record a five try to four victory at Eden Park. If you're game, I'll also be blogging at 1:15am tomorrow, as the Lions host the Brumbies, both teams needing victories to get their seasons back on track. Goodnight from me, seeya in about 6 hours.
moaman
Guest
How good are Mo'unga's hands!
moaman
Guest
Pretty good game despite the early rain. Tamanivalu had a really strong game I thought.Blues. like the Reds last night, showed a lot of ticker,They still struggle to transition on phase play and get cluttered when clear lines could get better ball to their dangerous outside backs. Crusaders just as polished as you would expect.Did enough to win without breaking any pfuffu valves.
Tom English
Roar Guru
The scoring started with George Bridge running onto a kick in the third minute, before Matt Duffie capitalised on a Rieko Ioane break in the seventh. It continued with Quinten Strange falling over after a maul, and then Matt Todd came up with it after a pick and drive close to the Blues line in the 31st- however while Akira Ioane looked to close the gap to 10 points at halftime with a putdown in the corner, Brent Hall peeled off the maul to put the Saders out by 17 at oranges. Rieko Ioane’s put down in the corner was given the all clear in the 48th minute, before the younger brother set up Matt Duffie for the try in the 64th. The Crusaders opted a penalty goal in the 54th minute, which did enough to put them out of converted try range, and the Blues couldn’t strike back. Richie Mo’unga was denied a try in the second last minute, after he put a kick through for himself, but Glen Jackson ruled, with the TMO’s help, a knockon. Rieko Ioane had a great game, as did Jordan Taufua in his side’s win.
Marius Ciliers
Roar Guru
Good game boys. Could have been beter. Epic resolve from the Blues.Hats off to you.
Tom English
Roar Guru
Full Time 80' - Fed and won by the Blues, chip and chase went well for the Aucklanders, Papalii and Moulds both run the pill. Just stealing metres, the Blues. Collins with it 25 out, Ioane breaks free, but is tackled eventually, turnover to the Crusaders. We're in the final minute, out to the right we go, Crusaders taking up time as there's the siren- Mo'unga kicks it into touch! Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
78' - 2.5 minutes to play, Blues are given a scrum after knockon ruled. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
Call is NO TRY.
Tom English
Roar Guru
77' - Really short of time here for the Aucklanders, but the Blues win the ball. They move it left, and SBW kicks into space, Hunt takes a tackle, Goodhue, now Todd and Goodhue again, Ruru had it- and this could be a TRY to Mo'unga after a chip and chase. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
76' - Crusaders win the set piece, Pete Samu charges forward, and Dalton Papalii was penalised for leaving his feet. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
74' - Crusaders opt a scrum, so they can burn up some time. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
71' - Rieko has a run-geez he's entertaining, Moulds made a knockon, and here's a Canterbury scrum. Short arm from the scrum to the Saders. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
71' - Touch finder is good, Dunshea drops the ball at the lineout, Blues to scrum. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Lano
Roar Guru
Agree, like Lamb from the Hurries. Rare talent indeed'. Although Ioane is 6 yrs younger!!!!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Maybe it is the influence of Reiko. The kid is a wonderful talent. Maybe his brother wants to compete for Reiko in the highlights reel.
Tom English
Roar Guru
70' - Blues feed one, it goes down, but the second take is good. David Havili and Strange make runs, Penalty to the Saders, against Papali for not entering via the gate. Blues: 24 Crusaders: 32
Tom English
Roar Guru
69' - Nanai goes to ground after a box kick, Ruru will box kick- Hunt had it and made a good break, but it's all shut down. Blues: 26 Crusaders: 32
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
If you were to pick a player who typified the Blues, it would be Akira Ioane. Capable of devastating attack but shirks the hard graft on defence like a Spanish civil servant. Kaino is a beast on defence and would dearly love to have the speed of Akira. But the mind can only control the body to a certain extent. The talent is there. It just needs an attitudinal shift where players don’t go looking for the big attacking move but hunt together for the big defensive move.
Tom English
Roar Guru
64' - SBW runs it up, Ruru gives it to Perofeta who sends it flying into touch via a good kick. Blues: 26 Crusaders: 32
Taylorman
Guest
Anyone else wack the Bluuuuuuuuuuuuuuues!!!!!!!!!