Match Reports

The Crusaders and Blues provided a nail-biting opening to the 2012 Investec Super Rugby season, with a score line that tipped between the teams and never had more than two points between them for the last 39 minutes of the match. It was a meeting of old foes that was always likely to be high in intensity and low on the point margins, and Friday night’s game did not disappoint.

The Blues looked dangerous early on, with a fifth minute try to Chris Lowery after Jerome Kaino charged down a kick from Israel Dagg.  Five minutes later the Blues got their second try, set up by Rene Ranger and scored by wing David Raikuna in the corner.  One successful conversion to Blues number 10 Michael Hobbs, and two successful penalties to Crusaders rookie number 10 Tyler Bleyendaal left the score at 12-6 to the Blues by the thirteenth minute.

But just as the rain became relentless at Eden Park, so did the Crusaders, and they  were eventually rewarded with a try from centre Robbie Fruean.  Bleyendaal’s boot hit the mark again to put the Crusaders in front for the first time (12-11).

A high tackle on Crusaders second five Ryan Crotty gave Bleyendaal the opportunity to widen the lead.

A strong attack from the Blues leading into the halftime break did not result in any points on the board, so it was the Crusaders who took the half-time lead with 16 points to the Blues’ 12.

That lead was short-lived in the second half though, as the Crusaders infringed at the ruck in their own 22, giving Hobbs an easy shot at goal.  The Crusaders were penalised twice more in the next few minutes for leaving feet in the ruck, but Hobbs only converted one of those into points putting Auckland in the lead 18-16.

With fifteen minutes to go the Crusaders looked dangerously close to scoring a try, but had to settle for another 3 penalty points – enough to give them a one point lead.  

The Blues were unable to make it through a strong Crusaders defence and with only a minute left on the clock opted for a drop goal by Piri Weepu, who had received a warm reception from his new adopted home crowd when he came on for the Blues in the 57th minute. Dagg and Adam Whitelock both dashed for the ball and managed to foil Weepu’s attempt to take the game.

Crusaders 19 (Fruean try; Bleyendaal con and pen 4)

Blues 18 (Lowrey and Raikuna tries; Hobbs con and pen 2)