Match Report: Round 6 v Blues

The Crusaders took the journey to Blues country for round six of Super Rugby Pacific 2025.

First points of the game came from ex Crusader James Mullan setting up Papali’i to dot the ball over the line.

The Crusaders replied when Kyle Preston got the ball out of a ruck on the sideline out to Havili who broke through the Blues defence. The Skipper took it to the other side of the posts, Preston raced to meet him and got it over for our first points of the game.

Still on a high from the try Preston kicks down the field, it was fumbled by the Blues and collected by Sevu Reece. He sent it to Tom Christie who gained ten metres before Reece collected again, out to Havili who sent it long to the centre of the field, Fihaki collected and travelled 30 metres untouched to put it down over the chalk. Kemara kicked the conversion, putting them in front on the scoreboard.

Tamaiti Williams forced his way through the ruck for the third try and a successful penalty from Kemara saw the Half Time score at 20-7 with our boys in the lead.

Quinten Strange entered the field at the start of the second half for his first appearance for 2025. Just seconds in, a quick ball from the lineout and a ruck gets Fihaki the ball on the wing and to his second try of the night, right in the corner and a bonus point along with it.

A line out caught by Cullen Grace turned into a maul on the 5m line, with Tom Christie holding tight and scoring the next five points.

Blues went at it for 19 phases but the crusaders defence stayed strong enough not to let them passed the 22. Eventually the Blues get through after a quick tap and brought the score to 14-30.

60 mins in James O’Connor enters the field for Kemara and with a quick nudge to the wing, set up Macca Springer for his sixth try in two games.

Noah Hotham returned from injury and Matt Moulds debuted in the 65th minute making him Crusaders #298.

All Black Finlay Christie scored the Blues last try of the night before Christian Lio Willie forced the ball out of Mark Tele’a hand, stopping it from touching the grass.

Seconds left on the clock and the maul is pushing hard against the try line again, fresh legs from George Bower and Corey Kellow kept the ball up until it ended in Will Jordans arms and he dots it down right as the full time buzzer bellows through the park.

Big pressure from the Crusaders caused a lot of handling errors from the Aucklanders, and our strong defensive line resulted in The 42-19 win, denying the hosts any bonus points.

“We knew what the Blues can do so we prepped well during the week,” said Havili, “The boys stepped up tonight and I love the effort”.