Match Reports

The Crusaders beat their arch rivals the Blues 33-20 at AMI Stadium tonight, a Ryan Crotty intercept try in the second half proving crucial to his team.

With the score 16-15 to the Crusaders, Crotty swooped on a looping Rudi Wulf pass to Joe Rokocoko when the Blues were deep in their own territory and teh Crusaders second-five sprinted untouched to score under the posts.

With Dan Carter's conversion - he didn't miss with a kick all night - the score went out to 23-15 and that was effectively that.

Crusaders centre Robbie Fruean (pictured) scored his first try for his new team when bulldozing over former Crusader Stephen Brett to score the Crusaders third try.

With the Red and Blacks going all out to score a fourth try for a bonus point the match, in front of 23,000 people, lost a little shape and Blues halfback Alby Mathewson scooted over for a consolation try as the final whistle loomed.

It was another solid performance by the Crusaders against a Blues team which competed very well straight from the kick-off.

Two Brett penalties had the Blues 6-0 up before Carter narrowed the gap with a penalty of his own. Brett kicked a drop goal and the Crusaders struck back with a finely worked try by flanker George Whitelock.

With the Crusaders just inside Blues territory, Carter shot through a gap in the defence and offloaded to fullback Jared Payne who found Whitelock on his shoulder.

The halftime score was 16-15 but one could sense that the work the Crusaders had done on defence in the first half would pay off after the break.

And so it proved, although handling errors and a few wrong options by the Crusaders let the Blues off the hook early in the second spell.

Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder and captain Richie McCaw were very happy with the victory over a Blues side which before the clash had a similar won two, lost one record to the Crusaders.

Brett, who moved to the Blues at the start of the season, had a good game at first-five on his return to AMI Stadium, although he was hindered by a head knock in the second half (suffered in the attempted tackle of Fruean) and left the field.

The Blues also lost centre Benson Stanley to injury in the first half and wing Joe Rokocoko had a knee problem.

Crusaders halfback Andy Ellis had another strong game but left the field in the second half with concussion.

The match featured the return of McCaw to the starting line up after his break at the start of the season and his combination with fellow loosie George Whitelock was extremely effective.

Whitelock's try was a classic loose forward's effort as he backed up to support Carter and Payne.

Carter again controlled things at No.10 - his understanding with Ellis is proving to be a key strength for the Crusaders.

The Crusaders scrum was again strong and the lineout showed some improvement from last weekend against the Sharks.

Next up for the Crusaders are the Chiefs in Hamilton on Friday night. McCaw said the Chiefs losing to the Reds on Friday night won't do his team any favours and is wary of a backlash.

The match should be another open and exciting encounter.

Crusaders - Tries: George Whitelock, Ryan Crotty, Robbie Fruean. Conversions: Dan Carter (3). Penalties: Carter (4).
Blues - Try: Alby Mathewson. Penalties: Stephen Brett (4). DG: Brett.

Kickers:
Carter: 7 from 7.
Brett: 4 from 4 (plus DG)
George Pisi: 0 from 1

Crusaders:
1. Wyatt Crockett (Peter Borlase 71min)
2. Ti'i Paulo (Corey Flynn 55min)
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock (Isaac Ross 60min)
6. Richie McCaw (c)
7. George Whitelock (Jonathan Poff 67min)
8. Kieran Read
9. Andy Ellis (Kahn Fotuali'i 66min)
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Ryan Crotty (Adam Whitelock 76min)
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Sean Maitland (Colin Slade 60min)
15. Jared Payne