Crusaders bring Blues back to earth
After last week's win over the defending-champion Highlanders the Blues had come into this game with high hopes.
The seven-time champion Crusaders bounced back in fine fashion after being defeated in the opening round.
In an error-riddled encounter the Crusaders outscored their North Island rivals by three tries to one – one of the Crusaders' tries of the penalty variety as a result of their first-half scrum dominance.
The Blues – trailing 3-13 at the break – sorted out their set-piece issues in the second half, but they struggled to break down the Crusaders and never came closer than eight points (13-21) to the Crusaders.
Two tries in the final quarter – by Kieran read and Richie Mo'unga – settled the game in favour of the home team.
The Crusaders dominated the early exchanges as the sides exchanges penalties.
With their forwards on top, the home side were rewarded with a penalty try in the 18th minute, after the Blues repeatedly collapsed the scrum.
The Crusaders went into the break unlucky to be up only 13-3, after failing to fully capitalise on a string of handling errors and penalties from the Blues.
The aggression continued with two chances for the Crusaders after the restart.
First prop Joe Moody was held up over the line, then the Blues needed desperate defence from Ihaia West to prevent a Jordan Taufua try.
New All Black captain Kieran Read finally broke through after a run from wing Nemani Nadolo left the Blues' defence flat footed.
Wing Tevita Li managed a consolation try for the Blues, but Richie Mo'unga sealed the Crusaders' victory with a five-pointer in the final minute.
Man of the match: Rene Ranger was very busy and Melani Nanai also racked up the metres, while Blake Gibson was a bundle of energy and a rock on defence. Kieran Read seems to be easing his way back to some form, while Tim Boys was the most productive forward for the Crusaders. Our award goes to the Crusaders' Fijian powerhouse Nemani Nadolo. Although he was far from flawless, in a game of few stand-out players, his powerful bursts often got the home team on the front foot when they needed it most – including setting up the crucial try scored by Read in the final quarter.
The scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Penalty try, Read, Mo'unga
Cons: Mo'unga 2
Pens: Mo'unga 3
For the Blues:
Try: Li
Con: West
Pens: McGahan, West
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Jone Macilai, 13 Sean Wainui, 12 Kieron Fonotia, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Tim Boys, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Samuel Whitelock (captain), 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Leon Fukofuka, 22 Ben Volavola, 23 Johnny McNicholl.
Blues: 15 Matt Duffie, 14 Melani Nanai, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 George Moala, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Matt McGahan, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Blake Gibson, 6 Jerome Kaino (captain), 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Sione Mafileo, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Ofa Tu'ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Parsons, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Akira Ioane, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Male Sa'u.
Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Chris Pollock (New Zealand), Brendon Pickerill (New Zealand)
TMO: Ben Skeen (New Zealand)
