With their title-defence nearly a write-off under new coach Rob Penney, Crusaders were down in 11th and headed into the game with little chance of winning given the fearsome form of the Blues who had lost just once all season.
Blues’ superior points difference keeps them in first place, level on points with the Hurricanes, while victory keeps Crusaders’ season alive – they sit just outside the play-off spots held by Fijian Drua and Highlanders who meet today.
With a final round fixture against struggling Moana Pasifika, and their three play-off rivals all facing opposition above them in the table, Penney’s men could still snatch a play-off spot.
Crusaders opened the scoring with a try from returning All Black Ethan Blackadder, this just his fourth appearance of the season. Blues responded quickly through another All Black, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, the winger scoring twice to give the Blues a lead that was cut with a Chay Fihaki try, created by Codie Taylor, on the stroke of half-time, to leave Crusaders trailing by three points.
Crusaders belief never faltered despite an early second-half score from AJ Lam, taking the lead through converted tries from Christian Lio-Willie and Noah Hotham, the latter a product of vintage Crusaders offloading. A Fihaki penalty moved them seven clear, a margin big enough to defend despite a late Lam score, Blues’ Harry Plummer missing the chance to equalise with five to go.
Esta historia es de la edición May 26, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición May 26, 2024 de The Rugby Paper.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
