Champion Crusaders too smart for Blues
FORGET Laurel or Yanny. The biggest head-scratcher has to be when the Blues are going to ever beat a fellow New Zealand side in Super Rugby.
Not this week, is the immediate answer, with the Crusaders adding their name to a long list of Kiwi conquerors of the underachieving Auckland franchise, rather holding on for a 32-24, four tries apiece victory last night at a wet Eden Park.
Not that the Blues are playing horribly right now. They actually had some very positive passages against the Crusaders, and probably had the better of the second 40 when they did well to close a 29-12 deficit at the break to 32-24 with a quarter of an hour remaining.
But there was no finishing flourish, and their winless streak against fellow New Zealand sides now sits at 17, and counting.
The Blues remain anchored to the bottom of the Kiwi conference with their ninth defeat in 12 matches, and just 17 competition points.
The Blues were helped by a magnificent all-round performance from All Blacks star Rieko Ioane who scored two tries and created another two in a storming display in tricky conditions. He is a cert for Steve Hansen’s squad to face the French to be named this morning, and on this performance we are in for yet another treat when he slips on that black jersey. But yet again it wasn’t enough for the Blues who might be getting better, but remain short of the mark set by their Kiwi rivals.
The Crusaders were good, rather than great, but always had this one under control when halfback Bryn Hall’s late try gave them that 17-point lead at the break.
Richie Mo’unga confirmed he’s All Blacks-bound with another classy display (including a fabulous non-try late in the contest that was ruled out for the slightest of knock-ons), while there was plenty to like from wing George Bridge, midfielder Jack Goodhue and No 8 Jordan Taufua, all of whom are in the national conversation. In the end the Crusaders’ superiority at set piece, their superior finishing and ability to soak up pressure proved the difference as they extended their winning streak over the Blues to seven with their eighth victory on the bounce this season, and their 10th in 12 matches for 2018.
They also power back to the top of the competition on 46 points, one ahead of the hardchasing Hurricanes.
It was an eventful first 40 minutes, despite the wet conditions, with six tries, three head injury assessments, another piece of missed foul play from a Crusaders prop and a 29-12 lead for a visiting outfit who dished out a lesson in clinical finishing.
The match lost two All Blacks in the first 40, with Crusaders second five Ryan Crotty departing after just seven minutes with a head knock that will add to Steve Hansen’s concerns and Blues wing Matt Duffie doing likewise after he got in an aerial tangle with Manasa Mataele just past the opening quarter.
But it was the Crusaders who dictated terms for most of the opening stanza, with the impressive George Bridge setting the tone early on when he crossed early for his eighth try of the season after some slick work from David Havili, Richie Mo’unga and Jack Goodhue. PHOTOSPORT