Match Reports

Two Zac Guildford tries helped the Crusaders to a thrilling 23-16 over the Blues in Timaru.

The victory put the Crusaders at the top of the New Zealand Super Rugby conference with one round remaining - the Hurricanes match in Wellington next Saturday night.

Guildford clinched the victory in the final 10 minutes when running on to a perfect Dan Carter kick and scoring in the corner. The wing had plenty to do - he had to tiptoe down the sideline after gathering the kick and step inside a defender but he did it well to cap off a fine game.

Carter also played very well - those two were probably the difference between the two teams on a cold night at Alpine Energy Stadium.

The Blues, coming off three defeats, stuck with the Crusaders well and were very competitive all over the field, especially at lineout time.

The two young flankers on either side, Matt Todd and Luke Braid, had brilliant games, as did Crusaders captain No8 and captain Kieran Read.

It was Read's quick thinking which set up Guildford's first try. Virtually straight after the halftime re-start, Read pounced on the ball at the back of a ruck and passed to Guildford who did the rest.

Todd scored in the first half following a fine Crusaders scrum and some sleight of hand from returning halfback Andy Ellis, who disrupted No8 Chris Lowery. Ellis gathered the ball, kicked downfield, and Todd scored from the resulting ruck.

It was sweet revenge for the Crusaders, who lost their opening encounter with the Blues in Auckland in round one.

The crowd also played a big part for the Crusaders - over 10,000 packed into the stadium and were extremely vocal.

The Blues scored the opening try through a piece of brilliance from left wing Rene Ranger, who received a great offload from former Crusader Jared Payne, kicked ahead, gathered and scored in the corner.

Big prop Charlie Faumuina scored the Blues try in the second half when crashing over the line from close.

Crusaders - Tries: Zac Guildford 2, Matt Todd. Cons: Carter. Pens: Carter 2

Blues - Tries: Rene Ranger, Charlie Faumuina. Pens: Luke McAlister 2

HT: Crusaders 13-11

Crusaders
1. Ben Franks (Wyatt Crockett 59min)
2. Corey Flynn (Quentin MacDonald 78min)
3. Owen Franks
4. Brad Thorn
5. Sam Whitelock (Luke Romano 59)
6. George Whitelock
7. Matt Todd (Jonathan Poff 73)
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. Andy Ellis (Willi Heinz 73)
10. Dan Carter
11. Zac Guildford
12. Sonny Bill Williams (Ryan Crotty 23)
13. Robbie Fruean
14. Brent Ward
15. Tom Marshall

Reserve not used:
21. Matt Berquist