Crusaders punched their ticket to the Super Rugby Pacific Final, edging out the Blues with a hard-fought 21-14 victory in Christchurch.
The defending champions faced a relentless challenge from the Blues, who launched over 40 phases of attack on the Crusaders’ line, but ultimately fell short. It was Christian Lio-Willie who sealed the win by diving on a loose ball in the dying moments of the match, denying the Blues a chance to send the game into extra time.
All Blacks star Will Jordan emerged as a key player for the Crusaders, scoring two crucial tries that helped his team overcome a 14-point deficit. His second try, which came with just over ten minutes left on the clock, was the result of sustained pressure after the Crusaders opted to turn down several penalty kicks.
The Blues drew first blood in the tenth minute when AJ Lam executed a clever kick behind the Crusaders’ defense, leading to a five-meter scrum. This set the stage for Mark Tele’a, who capitalized on Beauden Barrett’s cutout pass to score in the corner.
Following this early setback, the Crusaders found themselves down a player when Braydon Ennor received a yellow card for a high tackle on Hoskins Sotutu. The Blues took advantage of this situation, with Rieko Ioane powering over for their second try and extending their lead to 14-0.
However, once the Crusaders returned to full strength, they quickly turned the tide. Tom Christie sparked hope among the home fans by scoring their first points of the night. The momentum shifted further when Joshua Fusitu’a was shown a yellow card, allowing Will Jordan to spin over for a try that leveled the score just before halftime.
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The break came at an opportune moment for the Blues, who resumed their assault on the Crusaders’ line. Despite Ricky Riccitelli being held up just short of the try line, the Crusaders held firm under pressure.
Injuries began to take their toll on the Blues, forcing several front-row players off the field. Hooker Kurt Eklund found himself playing prop, which allowed the Crusaders to capitalize on their growing dominance.
A critical moment arrived when Sotutu’s indiscretion handed the Crusaders a penalty just ten meters out. After several attempts to breach the Blues’ defense, Jordan finally crossed for his second try following an extended sequence of play.
The situation became even more challenging for the Blues when Sotutu suffered a head injury that sidelined him for the remainder of the match. Nevertheless, they fought valiantly and had multiple opportunities late in the game to replicate their previous week’s heroics and push for extra time.
With just ten meters to go, they kicked for touch and embarked on a relentless 38-phase attack on the Crusaders’ line. However, despite their efforts, they were unable to break through. A final penalty advantage allowed them one last chance, but Tele’a was thwarted near the line as the Crusaders secured possession and clinched their spot in the final.
This victory sets up an exciting final at Apollo Projects Stadium, marking one of the last games before the Crusaders transition to their new venue. They will face either the Chiefs or ACT Brumbies in what promises to be an unforgettable showdown.
