Crusaders dominate Blues in Auckland

Blues 19-42 Crusaders, Eden Park

The Crusaders reignited their Super Rugby Pacific campaign with a commanding 42-19 victory over the Blues at Eden Park, dealing a significant blow to the defending champions' faltering season.

The result marks a critical turning point for the Crusaders, who notched their first away win since 2023, while the Blues slump to a worrying 1-5 record.

The Crusaders wasted no time asserting dominance. In just the 5th minute, Chay Fihaki opened the scoring with a slick try out wide after sustained phase play. Fergus Burke slotted the conversion to give the visitors a 7-0 lead.

Only six minutes later, in the 11th minute, Will Jordan burst through a defensive gap to score the Crusaders’ second try, again converted by Burke to stretch the lead to 14-0.

The Blues finally responded in the 20th minute, with Patrick Tuipulotu powering over from close range. The successful conversion narrowed the deficit to 14-7, offering hope to the home fans.

But the Crusaders regained control almost immediately. In the 25th minute, Fihaki struck again with his second try of the night, exploiting a defensive lapse on the flank. Burke added the extras to make it 21-7.

The Blues struck back before the break with a try in the 34th minute through Hoskins Sotutu, after a powerful maul gave them momentum. A missed conversion meant the Blues trailed 21-12 at halftime.

The second half started with the Crusaders upping the intensity. In the 44th minute, flanker Tom Christie crossed after a textbook lineout drive. Burke nailed the conversion, extending the lead to 28-12.

By the 53rd minute, the Crusaders were rampant. Leicester Fainga'anuku sprinted down the wing for a brilliant solo try, pushing the score to 33-12. Burke's boot remained perfect, converting to make it 35-12.

The Blues' woes continued as they struggled with discipline and ball security. The Crusaders sealed the result in the 65th minute when Corey Kellow powered over for their sixth try. Another conversion pushed the score to 42-12, effectively ending the contest.

A late consolation try came for the Blues in the 75th minute, when AJ Lam crossed out wide after a long attacking passage. The successful conversion brought the final score to 42-19, but it did little to soften the blow of the comprehensive defeat.