Following a tense 25-22 victory for the Crusaders over arch-rivals the Blues, here are our five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific clash in Christchurch on Friday.
The top line
It is not often an Australian is cheered in Christchurch but James O’Connor was the Crusaders’ unlikely hero as they edged to victory over the Blues in a dramatic New Zealand derby.
Conditions meant the game was confined to the tighter exchanges, while the half-backs also had a big influence on the game, but it was the hosts who managed to snatch the win at the death thanks to their replacement fly-half.
Despite the torrential rain, there were three tries in the first half, with two of those going to the Crusaders through Tamaiti Williams and Will Jordan. Josh Beehre responded for the Blues, but at the start of the second period they found themselves 19-7 in arrears through another close-range effort, this time from Christian Lio-Willie.
12 points appeared a lot in those circumstances but, to the visitors’ credit, they fought back and levelled matters when Hoskins Sotutu and AJ Lam crossed the whitewash. They then moved ahead through Beauden Barrett’s three-pointer, but there was still time for O’Connor and the Crusaders pack to have their say as they won a couple of penalties with the fly-half slotting them both.
Conditions a leveller
Usually a competition where free-flowing rugby is the order of the day, the teeming rain rather made that pretty much impossible. What transpired was therefore a fierce forward battle between two big packs who knew the set-piece and breakdown was utterly vital.
There was some exceptional work from both at the contact area, while the set-piece was also incredibly competitive, but ultimately the Crusaders just had the edge. Last season, it was the Blues who were dominating all before them up front, but they are just not quite at the same level in 2025.
However, the conditions suited the power-packed Aucklanders and that almost told in the second period. Despite finding themselves 19-7 in arrears, they began to control the forward exchanges and edged their way back into the game. With Beauden Barrett also finding his range with the boot – something he failed to do in the first half – the Blues managed to take this game into the latter stages.
Vern Cotter may have a backline stacked with talent but they have always been focused on the fundamentals and this appeared a side who were getting near to their best. It was still not enough, though, as after going 22-19 down, O’Connor kicked the hosts to victory to condemn the Blues to their sixth defeat of the season.
The bench and Newell
O’Connor was the match-winner but he could thank the rest of the bench, as well as starting tighthead Fletcher Newell, for giving him the opportunity. Newell put in a tremendous shift, lasting the whole 80 minutes and playing a key role in the decisive scrums which resulted in the Australian winning the game for the Crusaders.
George Bower, who produced a fine display when he came on, also played his part as the Blues’ replacement props, Mason Tupaea and Hamdahn Tuipulotu, folded under pressure from the hosts’ front-row. It once again showed the importance of the 23-man game as the Crusaders’ replacements earned a win which looked unlikely with 10 minutes to go.
All eyes on Rieko Ioane
After his shock deal with Leinster was announced earlier in the week, there were no doubt plenty of Irish fans tuning in to see what their new addition would do, but unfortunately there was little to write home about.
Ioane has been under the microscope this season after a series of mediocre performances in a struggling Blues outfit. This time his lack of influence was not necessarily his fault as few backs, outside of the key decision-makers, made an impact, but the match did expose his glaring weaknesses.
Criticised for his poor distribution skills and an inability to bring his wide players into the game, the 28-year-old didn’t trust his hands when the opportunity eventually did present itself to attack. When you compare that to Crusaders inside centre David Havili, whose delightful pass behind the back of the visiting defence set up Jordan, that criticism will not go away.
All Blacks watch
In some ways, you can’t get any better preparation for Test rugby when the rain forces you to play tighter, leading to an attritional affair like this. Having four All Blacks in the front five certainly helped the Crusaders and there were fine efforts from Williams and national team captain Scott Barrett, but no doubt the star was the aforementioned Newell.
They were supported well by Ethan Blackadder who, if he can stay fit, will almost certainly be in Scott Robertson’s plans, while behind the scrum Noah Hotham was arguably the standout. Taha Kemara also showed up well against the legendary Beauden Barrett and together they outplayed the visiting playmakers in the first half.
As for the Blues, Ricky Riccitelli was their most destructive in the carry during his time on the field and remains one of the unluckiest players in New Zealand. Elsewhere, Patrick Tuipulotu never took a backwards step, while Anton Segner and Dalton Papali’i were abrasive in contact.
Their back-row partner, Sotutu, produced a mixed performance, however. After an underwhelming first 40 minutes, the number eight grew into the game, scoring a try, winning a key breakdown turnover and then firing an insane back-of-the-hand pass. It could have gone so very wrong but it ended up in the arms of Lam, who managed to touch down.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/crusaders-v-blues-five-takeaways-as-unlikely-hero-wins-new-zealand-derby-and-the-glaring-rieko-ioane-weakness-leinster-need-to-improve
