Final revives rivalry Blues set to host Crusaders at Eden Park
The message from Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett - these are the moments you play for.
“I played a Crusaders Knights game up there and watched the Blues versus the Crusaders after that as a young player.
“I thought ‘wow’ this is what it’s about. A big rivalry, huge stadium and fast flowing rugby.”
All the ingredients for a 2022 Super Rugby final to remember.
THIS year’s Super Rugby Pacific has reached its first final, and it is the game everyone wants to see as the Blues take on the Crusaders at the fortressEden Park.
What makes for such an enthralling matchup is that form and history clash on the biggest stage. The Blues were the best team this season, finishing top of the log and notching a club record 15 wins on the bounce, as they showcased their impressive skill-sets across the park. On the other hand, the Crusaders are all class and have won 10 Super Rugby titles, three of which have come under Coach Scott Robertson and a fair number of current players.
Their play-off success rate is outrageous and, despite a rocky start by their standards, expect the Crusaders to be there challenging for the title.
The most significant difference for the Crusaders is that the final is not on their patch for a change and instead will be at a sold-out Eden Park, setting the scene brilliantly. A New Zealand classic is inevitable, and the biggest players will be required to stand up and deliver.
The last time out, the Blues claimed a thrilling 27-23 win over the Crusaders in their first win in Christchurch in 18 years. A brace from Crusaders fullback Will Jordan and a Sevu Reece try was not enough to contain the rampant Blues, who scored tries through captain Dalton Papalii, Finlay Christie and Kurt Ekland.
The difference on the day was Blues’ loose trio, with Papalii and number eight Hoskins Sotutu, both making more than 20 tackles.
Beauden Barrett had a sublime game and got one over rival Richie Mo’unga in the gripping clash.
The semi-final win against the Chiefs last Friday allowed the Crusaders an extra day of recovery after the Crusaders racked up a massive tackle count in their 20-7 win.
In the final, the amount of talent on show is genuinely
Richie Mo’unga kicks for goal. He will be the key player for the Crusaders’ title bid tonight. mesmerising, with several All Blacks across both teams. Blues front-rower Nepo Laulala produced a scrummaging masterclass against the Brumbies in the semi-final, while George Bower has been in superb form. Robust Sotutu is in commanding form and showed he has taken his game to another level.
Cullen Grace, fresh off a brace in the semi-finals and a whopping tackle count of 22, is expected to empty the tank for the Crusaders.
In the backline, a hallmark of this particular
Blues team has been the centre pairing of Roger TuivasaSheck and Rieko Ioane. TuivasaSheck made a very high-profile switch from rugby league, where he captained the NZ side, and has taken to Super Rugby superbly. There is also a lovely contrast between the two fullbacks who will run out. Will Jordan is prolific in every sense of the word, while Stephen Perofeta has been a critical cog in the Blues engine this season. Finally, only one battle can trump all the other high-quality matchups across the park, and that is the duel between playmakers Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga.
The Blues team of 2022 has been inspired by Barrett’s vision and ability to execute time and time again.
With Perofeta taking over the kicking duties, all Barrett has needed to do is create. With this freedom to express himself, Barrett has seriously put his name in the hat for the best fly-half in the competition. Mo’unga is a player for the occasion, as his five titles in as many years suggest. Big game temperament is a hallmark of his playing style and his ability to constantly produce at the highest level on the biggest stage is impressive. Apart from the 27-23 win in Christchurch, the Blues lost to the Crusaders last year 29-6 and 43-27, and 26-15 and 25-8 in 2020.
The Crusaders won both matches in 2019 as well- 1911 and 24-22. Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett, Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman, Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Dalton Papalii/James Tucker, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem and Zarn Sullivan will host Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett, Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor and George Bridge in the all-NZ finale as Planet Rugby puts it.
As a Crusader, I wish ‘The Razor’, Jason Ryan and the boys all the best.
It will be tough, but not impossible.
The Crusaders are mentally fit and ready to roar at the fortress. Go ‘Saders!
RAJNESH LINGAM
is a contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper or his employer.