RECAP: Crusaders v Blues
READERS’ FORUM: Welcome to our coverage of the Super Rugby Aotearoa Round Five encounter between the Crusaders and the Blues in Christchurch.
MATCH REPORT: Crusaders v Blues
The Crusaders have won their last 11 consecutive Super Rugby games against the Blues.
Their last defeat to the Auckland franchise came in Round Three, 2014.
The Crusaders are undefeated in their last 35 Super Rugby games played as hosts (34 wins and one draw). Their last defeat at home came in Round 17, 2016 against the Hurricanes.
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Teams
Crusaders: 15 David Havili, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 George Bridge, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Whetukamokamo Douglas, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Mitchell Dunshea, 4 Sam Whitelock, 3 Michael Alaalatoa, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Makalio, 17 George Bower, 18 Oli Jager, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Sione Havili, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Fetuli Paea, 23 Will Jordan.
Blues: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Harry Plummer, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Otere Black, 9 Finlay Christie; 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Josh Goodhue, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 James Parsons, 1 Alex Hodgman.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Aaron Carroll, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jonathan Ruru, 22 Thomas Faiane, 23 Matt Duffie.
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Ben O’Keeffe, James Doleman
TMO: Mike Fraser
