Crusaders v Blues: Round Five Match Report

It was a throwback to the 90s for our team over the weekend, playing at Auckland’s Eden Park in our heritage jersey. We didn’t get the result we wanted versus our old rivals the Blues, and we now gather ahead of another derby at home this week.

It’s been a tough ol’ start to the season for our boys, with a heap of travel and injury, one home game, and a draw with some of our biggest games early in the season. We are working hard to build and get better every week.

Game day in a drizzly Auckland, the boys took the field after Matatū also played the Blues. How good is double-header rugby – and we’re all set for another this week in Christchurch.

Riley Hohepa slotted two penalties in the first half, adding to his first points for the club last week versus the Hurricanes. Great to see the man finding his feet at first five and embracing the Crusaders culture.

The game was on an even keel until the start of the second half, when the Blues capitalised on some attacking play to score two quick tries. Our boys put in the effort to regain control, executing plans made during the week to disrupt the Blues, but they weren’t quite enough.

The final score was 26-6 to the Blues in what was Patrick Tuipulotu's 100th for the Auckland franchise.

The boys will be putting in the work this week ahead of our second home game of the season on Friday versus the Chiefs. Matatū will take the field at Apollo Projects Stadium first versus Hurricanes Poua, kick off at 4.00pm. The boys will then kick off at 7.05pm.

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