Wallaby veteran breaks Blues hearts

MATCH REPORT: Wallaby utility back James O’Connor slotted a late penalty to seal a hard-fought 25-22 win for the Crusaders.

The two teams were tied at the fulltime siren as Super Point looked destined.

However, a scrum penalty against the Blues delivered the opportunity for O’Connor to step up and deliver some magic.

The former Red nailed the penalty from just under 40 meters out in the pouring rain as teammates mobbed O’Connor after his successful kick.

Conditions had a major effect on the contest as Cyclone Tam continues to roll through New Zealand.

As a result, the game turned into a battle of the respective forward packs.

Prop Tamaiti Williams dived over from close for the opener after two minutes, capitalising on a Blues penalty shortly after kick-off.

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The Blues continued to work their way back into the contest and eventually struck back through lock Josh Beehre.

Both teams had penalty goals to take the lead before the half, but it was Will Jordan that gave the Crusaders the lead thanks to the lone line break of the half.

The fullback latched onto a perfect ball from David Havili close to the line to dive over for the try well after the half-time siren.

It sparked the Crusaders heading into the sheds and this confidence was only boosted when Christian Lio-Willie dived over to start the second half for a 19-7 lead.

The Blues had a mountain of time in the Crusaders’ half and eventually found the spark when needed the most through their inspirational No.8 Hoskins Sotutu.

Sotutu crossed for the try but saved his best effort for a spectacular flick from the ruck.

It set up AJ Lam to touch down and suddenly the game was locked at 19-all.

Beauden Barrett put the Blues in front with 13 minutes to go before O’Connor responded to level the scores.

O’Connor’s boot would prove the difference as the Crusaders celebrated wildly after the siren for the win.

Scorers

For the Crusaders:
Tries: Williams, Jordan, Lio-Willie
Cons: Kemara 2
Pens: O’Connor 2

For the Blues:
Tries: Sotutu, Lam, Beehre
Cons: Barrett 2
Pens: Barrett

Teams

Crusaders: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Levi Aumua, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Taha Kemara, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Cullen Grace, 5 Antonio Shalfoon, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Ioane Moananu, 17 George Bower, 18 Kershawl Sykes-Martin, 19 Jamie Hannah, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Cole Forbes, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 AJ Lam, 11 Mark Tele’a, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 6 Anton Segner, 5 Josh Beehre, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Ricky Riccitelli, 1 Joshua Fusitu’a.
Replacements: 16 Kurt Eklund, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Hamdahn Tuipulotu, 19 Lachlan McWhannell, 20 Cameron Suafoa, 21 Adrian Choat, 22 Taufa Funaki, 23 Harry Plummer.

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Matt Kellahan
TMO: Brett Cronan