The Blues’ woeful record in Kiwi Super Rugby derbies has continued with a bruising 32-24 loss to the Crusaders in Auckland.
The visitors reclaimed top spot on the overall table with an eighth-successive win, scoring all four of their tries in Saturday’s first half which they dominated.
The Blues roared back in the second spell, inspired by the brilliance of All Blacks winger Rieko Ioane, but couldn’t prevent a 17th-straight New Zealand derby without success.
Both teams scored four tries in wet conditions, with five-eighth Richie Mo’unga’s boot proving the difference.
The Crusaders improved their record to 10-2, heading into a table-topping showdown next week with the Hurricanes (10-1) in Christchurch.
Their pack was at the heart of their early control, largely setting up tries to George Bridge, Quinten Strange, Matt Todd and Bryn Hall.
Strange was shown a yellow card after the break for a lifting tackle on veteran Jerome Kaino.
The Blues, without a win this year at Eden Park, slumped to 3-9 and almost out of playoff contention although they showed more improvement.
An electric Ioane crossed twice and set up the two other tries to Matt Duffie and Michael Collins.
Coach Tana Umaga, reappointed this week for a further season, will target looming home matches against the Melbourne Rebels and Queensland Reds as a chance to challenge for a top-eight spot.
Both teams will be concerned about injuries, with three players forced off in the first half after failing head injury assessments.
Blues pair Duffie and James Parsons didn’t return.
Nor did Crusaders midfield back Ryan Crotty, whose concussion history will be an increasing concern to the 29-year-old and the All Blacks’ selectors.
Parsons exited after an apparent forearm to the head from Crusaders prop Owen Franks which might attract the attention of the citing official.
Ken Catchpole’s Other Leg
Guest
Cuw, yes but of those the faceless fella in the video booth is the one who should be under the blowtorch for stuff ups. He has the crucial element that the other three don’t have. Time. Aaron Paterson went missing through multiple replays of Moody’s act. The fellas in the middle are surrounded by 30 fit angry men and thousands more screaming in the stands. They will miss stuff. I am no fan of Ben OKeefe but I think he is copping too much for heat of the moment mistakes in Saders/Tahs. The new frontier may be TMO competence/scrutiny.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
At least they’re getting picked up on it. The discipline needs to be addressed. The Jaguares have shown that you can still be strong in the contact area but play within the laws. The Crusaders can’t afford to go into next week’s game and expect to win with men in the bin or worse.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Haven’t seen a lot of the grass cutters from memory off hand but seen a lot of neck rolls lately.
cuw
Guest
i think its concerning that that 4 guys - or 8 eyes are missing a few things. is it becoz the TV coverage angles are not good or is it becoz the pace is too fast ? i have to admit not seeing either Mooddy thing or Franks thing in real time. what i have noticed is that the " neck roll " that used to be penalized to eternity a couple of years ago has lost flavor. and so has the " grass cutter ". I mean Naholo on Naiyarovoro ... if that is not obvios !!
bluesfan
Guest
In a professional environment where if you have Yellow or Red cards, the impact on yourself (citing and potentially out of the games for weeks). your team (potentially loss of games resulting in less points) - the idea that you become "dirty" - well it's not the 1980's now? Teams don't become "dirty" in today's environment - rather players become fatigued, lose discipline etc - if a player becomes "dirty" - well he is going to have a short career - because no one wants to carry a player who becomes a liability.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Add in tip tackles and other incidents, I did say becoming
PeterK
Roar Guru
they still could have issued him a yc during the game They as in crusaders got away with it. Both incidents at the least were yc's during the game.
Ben
Guest
Well Franks has been cited so neither of them have gotten away with it. And it was spootted at the time and replayed by the tmo but a lineout had played out post incident before the try so they couldnt go back and act on it.
Old Bugger
Guest
I think Franks and Moody have been away from the game for too long......so long in fact, that they forgot what the rules are. Has to be an extreme case of absentitus mixed with a severe injection of brainus fartum explosions.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
I wouldn't throw the whole Crusaders team into that 'dirty' category, but no pity for Owen Franks expect he'll get a week or more off for that one - the pity is it wasn't spotted at the time and dealt with; like Moody's last week, could have impacted on match result, unfortunate both were "getting away with this type of play" for duration of the match instead of watching the rest of it from the sidelines.
PeterK
Roar Guru
Crusaders are becoming quite a dirty team What is it with their props getting away with this type of play.
Julz
Guest
I hope this kid Perofeta is a better player than what we see. So far this year he's been average at best, some good moments, a lot of rookie mistakes. It seems Tana is putting all of his trust in this kid. I just hopes he gets better, if not find another 10. He's pretty unconvincing so far. I hope he proves me wrong in the future. I thought Gatland is the go to guy. But I guess he will end up being a better player elsewhere, as did Lam, Fekitoa...