Match Centre: Super Rugby Pacific: Blues 28-34 Crusaders

Blues 28-34 Crusaders, Eden Park

Crusaders have returned back to winning ways as they edged out Blues 34-28 in the latest round of Super Rugby at Eden Park on Saturday.

This is second win for Crusaders from four matches as they move to the fifth place in the table while Blues are at fourth place.

Blues were the quickest to get off the block as Mark Telea exhibited attacking skill to touchdown and Beauden Barrett kicked the conversion. Crusaders made a strong comeback as Fergus Burke and Ethan Blackadder scored tries in quick succession with Richie Mo'unga kicking the extras on the second occasion to make it 7-12.

The Blues wrested back the lead with a try to Clarke and went out to 21-12 with a try to Roger Tuivasa-Sheck before Leicester Fainga'anuku scored twice before halftime to ensure the opening half completed with a 21-24 scoreline.

Fainga’anuku soon completed his hat-trick in the 50th minute with Mo'unga's conversion extending Crusaders' lead to 10 points.

The Blues clawed their way back into the game with Stephen Perofeta scoring their fourth try and Barrett improved it to bring down the gap down to three points.

With 11 minutes left in the game, Mo'unga kicked a three-pointer to ensure the visitors returned back to winning ways with a six-point victory.

"I think in the first half we might have had the better of that half and then the Blues threw everything at us and we were lucky to get away with it really," Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said.

Team line up:

Blues: Alex Hodgman, Ricky Riccitelli, James Lay, James Tucker, Cameron Suafoa, Adrian Choat, Dalton Papalii (c), Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Rieko Ioane, Mark Telea, Stephen Perofeta

Reserves: Soane Vikena, Jordan Lay, Nepo Laulala, Tom Robinson, Taine Plumtree, Taufa Funaki, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan

Crusaders: Joe Moody, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Ethan Blackadder, Tom Christie, Sione Havili Talitui, Mitch Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Sevu Reece, Fergus Burke

Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, George Bower, Zach Gallagher, Christian Lio-Willie, Willi Heinz, Pepesana Patafilo, Macca Springer