Blues
7
Match Complete
Crusaders
21
| 75 |  | S. Reece | ||
| S. Perofeta |  | 59 | ||
| F. Christie | | 58 | ||
| 45 |  | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 40 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 39 | | B. Hall | ||
| 29 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 12 |  | R. Mo'unga |
| 1 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 1 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 0 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 1 |
The two best teams in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season square off in the grand final when the Blues host the Crusaders. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm AEST.
Blues captain and All Blacks flanker Dalton Papalii faces a fitness test after being named on the bench.
Papalii was in career-best form before being struck down with appendicitis before the quarterfinal win over Highlanders. He was bracketed on the bench with James Tucker.
Blues coach Leon MacDonald said the team was thrilled that a 43,000 full-house would be in attendence.
“This is set for a great occasion and is an opportunity to seal an excellent season in front of a full-house at Eden Park. We know what is at stake and we have prepared well.
“That said, it is another game, and we need to buckle down, do the basics right, provide good front-foot ball for our backs, and focus on doing the basics right, with discipline both with and without the ball.”
Sam Whitelock’s return from a thumb injury is the only change to the Crusaders’ starting lineup against the Blues, while Quinten Strange comes onto the bench.
The Crusaders were boosted by the news that Pablo Matera has been cleared to play in the final.
“As far as finals go, it doesn’t get any more exciting than taking on the Blues at a packed-out Eden Park,” said Crusaders coach Scott Robertson.
“I’m proud of this group and the care they’ve shown this week to put themselves in a position to go and put a great performance on the field on Saturday night. We had a few sore bodies following the huge defensive effort last week, but everyone has come through the week really well and excitement is building towards Saturday night.
“We play for these games and the opportunity to represent the Crusaders region on the big stage – we know it’s going to be another step up but we’re really embracing the challenge in front of us.”
Prediction
The Blues have certainly been the form team of the competition across the entire season, yet recent results have exposed some cracks and the Crusaders are just the team to expose them further.
The predicted wet weather might be all they need to nullify some of the dangerous weapons in the Blues’ back line that might have been unstoppable on a dry afternoon and, if replicated, superb recent defensive efforts could see the Crusaders claim yet another title.
Crusaders by 3 points.
Game Information
Venue: Eden Park
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Blues $1.77, Crusaders $2.02 – odds via PlayUp
Blues (1-15): Alex Hodgman, Kurt Eklund, Nepo Laulala, Josh Goodhue, Tom Robinson, Akira Ioane, Adrian Choat, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, AJ Lam, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta.
Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Dalton Papalii or James Tucker, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor, Oli Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Pablo Matera, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Bryn Hall, Richie Mo’unga, Leicester Fainga’anuku, David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quenten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge.
James Beale
Roar Guru
11' Crusaders hold their line and gain a penalty just in front of their own 10 metre line. Crusaders.........0 Chiefs...............0
James Beale
Roar Guru
10' Both teams looking to control the park early on with their kicking games. Crusaders.........0 Chiefs...............0
James Beale
Roar Guru
7′ Chiefs earn penalty at the 10 metre line with McKenzie lining up a kick at goal Crusaders………0 Chiefs……………0
Locke
Roar Rookie
The Blue's attack didn't come down Goodhue's channel very often either but he found a way to insert himself defensively into the game. I think Reiko struggles to read the play around him and find ways to become involved. He's at his best when he's fed the ball in space and given carte blanche to run. These wide running opportunities happen often in Super rugby which encouraged Reiko's early form but become rarer in finals and test rugby, hence why Reiko's effectiveness drops in tougher contests.
Fox
Roar Guru
Sorry Cantly but the attack did not come down his channel all that often in those appauling condidtion and he made a couple of tackles that really mattered. He has defended well all season at 13 in in some bloody close games. He has been the form 13 of the NZ comp but the Crusaders pack and D gave then nothing and the Blue lineout was a complete mess and cost them any chance of winning the game. Big mistake form Macdonald not to start Romano and Tucker - Tuckers biggest asset is he is very physical - to drop him for the final was just unfathamable to me - easily the best Blues forward in the tight all season. Dumb and Dumber
Lano
Roar Guru
…creative, one of a kind, mercurial…. obviously!!
Malotru
Roar Rookie
I agree with your sentiment about Foster and his selections. Having said that, last year was an aberration and I think the ABs preparation will be better. My thinking is that the ABs will be too good for Ireland, if they do win the size and comprehensiveness of it will help give us an idea of how well they will go at the RWC. Lot of good players to get fit between now and then.
Locke
Roar Rookie
'Goodhue couldn’t get around Reiko once all game as he doesn’t have the gas to get around him' A rather pointless comment, everyone knows Reiko's vey fast and Goodhue not so much, but this isn't a 100m track event. Goodhue showed he has a far better tactical sense of the game, where to be and where to best contribute. As an example, the Blues made 230 tackles to the Crusaders 139. Reiko made 5 tackles to Goodhue's 8. The one positive to come out of the Blue's game was their defensive effort and Reiko was largely anonymous in this facet. You can excuse his attack, you can't excuse the fact that he went missing when he had endless onslaught of Crusaders to tackle.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
Ken, Dalton Papali’i is a very good player and yes he would have made a difference if able to play the whole game but while disappointed, the Crusaders ‘had our number’. It became very obvious that their brains trust had identified the Blues areas of perceived weakness and focussed on dismantling the Blues lineup .. i hate it but all credit to them. The win was comprehensive .. BUT .. we’ll be back next year!! :happy:
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
Of course we hope he wins Malotru, but his past record including some selections concerns some of us. Right now an AB dominated Blues forward pack got done. The same thing happened in 2020 when the AB dominated North Island was beaten by the South. Last year the ABs lost a number of matches we're not used to losing. We're a demanding bunch particularly when we see things in the selection or game plan we're not that comfortable with. Let's hope.
Double Agent
Guest
What was so bad about it?
FrancisF
Roar Pro
The Selection Process of Referees for Super Rugby MUST be overhauled. The current crop of referees are of SUBPAR standards. Hopeless…. And they spoil the fun and spirit of the game as it should be played and to be enjoyed as a spectator game. The overly strict interpretation of the dumb Head-Contact Rule turns out to so nonsensical. Might as well make it compulsory for playera in the Union code to wear protective headgears as in American Football. OR adopt Netball rules for rugby. Hopeless and plain stupidity.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Gotta say I like the look of that Gleeson. But as much as I love a silky skilled back rower, 6 is usually the parking spot for the big boned beast every team needs.
Fox
Roar Guru
Poco Loco did I not say Munga had a good game? And yes the Crusafders D did a much better job of shutting Barrett down and I think that was signifcant in the game.
Fox
Roar Guru
Whatever you reckon Jeff not that I give a crap mind you!
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Swinton. Although he’d have to get past Gamble and even Sinclair and Gleeson.
Uriah Heep
Roar Rookie
Well he spectacularly failed last night.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Disappointing result in the game that really mattered, eh Tragic!?! :unhappy: But geez those Saders were just sooooo on... and as you mention if ewes can't win your set piece then your not going to win the game. Deserved congrats then go to Crusader Country! :sick: :silly:
Malotru
Roar Rookie
Geez, if the ABs win the RWC next year under Foster there won't be enough eggs in NZ to go around.
Jeff
Guest
More ill informed bleating.