Crusaders try-scorer: Robbie Freuan
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The Crusaders opened their 2012 Super Rugby account with a 19-18 win after edging the Blues in a thriller at Eden Park on Friday.
In a nail-biting finish to a highly entertaining match, the Blues had a chance to steal victory from their visitors at the death with a Piri Weepu drop-goal. However, the replacement pivot's attempt was charged down by wing Israel Dagg and the ball drifted wide.
Heartache for the Blues, but in the end a well-earned win for the Crusaders who take home four valuable points and go top of the New Zealand Conference.
The Blues made the perfect start to the match and at one stage looked to be cruising following early tries from Blues flank Chris Lowrey and wing David Raikuna to lead 12-3 after nine minutes.
However the Blues couldn't cross the whitewash again - with Michael Hobbs only able to add two penalties to his earlier conversion.
Instead, young Crusaders fly-half Tyler Bleyendaal and powerful centre Robbie Freuan combined to steer a superb fightback for the seven-time champions. Freuan topped an all-action display with a try while 21-year-old Bleyendaal held his nerve to land 14 points with the boot.
Lowrey opened the scoring in the fifth minute for the Blues, profiting after Dagg has his kick charged down. Jerome Kaino made a mess of grounding the ball, but Lowrey was right behind him to touch down before the ball rolled over the deadball line.
The Crusaders responded immediately, though, as Super Rugby debutant Bleyendaal slotted over his first penalty of the match.
However, the Blues were soon over for try number two after an initial break from the hugely-impressive Rene Ranger and quick hands from Keven Mealamu ended with Raikuna scoring in the corner.
The shell-shocked Crusaders regrouped brilliantly though and started putting the phases together.
Bleyendaal cut the deficit with a penalty before his conversion of Freuan's try put them in front. And another successful three-pointer saw the Crusaders reach the break 16-12 ahead.
The Blues responded well in the second half - with two penalties from Hobbs handing them a two-point advantage. But Bleyendaal kept his cool to land his fourth penalty of the day to see the Crusaders retake the lead which they didn't relinquish.
The scorers:
For Blues:
Tries: Lowrey, Raikuna
Con: Hobbs
Pens: Hobbs 2
For Crusaders:
Try: Fruean
Con: Bleyendaal
Pens: Bleyendaal 4
Blues: 15 Isaia Toeava, 14 David Raikuna, 13 Rene Ranger, 12 Benson Stanley, 11 Rudi Wulf, 10 Michael Hobbs, 9 Alby Mathewson; 8 Jerome Kaino, 7 Daniel Braid, 6 Chris Lowrey, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Anthony Boric, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (c), 1 Tom McCartney.
Replacements: 16 Pauliasi Manu, 17 Tevita Mailau, 18 Brad Mika, 19 Luke Braid, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Hadleigh Parkes, 22 Sherwin Stowers.
Crusaders: 15 Tom Marshall, 14 Sean Maitland, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Israel Dagg, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Tom Donnelly, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Quentin MacDonald, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Owen Franks, 18 Luke Romano, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willie Heinz, 21 Patrick Osborne, 22 Adam Whitelock.
Comments
carpelone says...
The usual preseason game from New Zealand team, the second half was awful.
One thing is sure, that you have to sweat every single point against the Crusaders.
Posted 17:36 26th February 2012
kpe12 says...
First time I can honestly say Ice played at a world class level, he cut out the mistakes from his game and if he continues to do so consistently I would be happy for him to start for the ABs ahead of Dagg.
As for the Blues getting the better of the scrums, sorry but I never saw that, Crusaders dominated here.
Read looked as good as ever and that Canterbury pack will cause a lot of teams problems. Todd had a great game. Weakness of the Crusaders may be in the 10/12 defensive channel but we will see.
Crusaders will take the conference if they can get out of South Africa with wins (which I believe they play 4 on the trot over there very soon).
Blues look dangerous but look unsteady under the high ball, possibly the weather.
Posted 00:13 25th February 2012
MaxPower says...
if anyone took the time to watch all 3 games last night the prospects for aussie rugby are DIRE. the standard in the nz and saffa games was miles ahead...good to see the "conference conspiracy" plan to weaken oz rugby is working...
Posted 20:49 24th February 2012
mew2000 says...
Jaystarr:The blues always look like the best team but can't play like that...Weepu is unfit as per usual, first game was good for a first up game were most were rusty when starting the super series. Lets see how they cope when key injuries affect their game and then see if your prediction comes true.
Posted 17:44 24th February 2012
Houston_11 says...
Great to see Dan Carter's understudy performing so well in such a high pressure environment.
Carter historically has had problems with injuries and lasting a full Super Rugby season so this will benefit the Crusaders enormously. I wonder what they do with both of them back.
Same can be said with the return of McCaw and Todd....
Posted 13:12 24th February 2012
davodiablo says...
What a game ... Awesome skills from both teams
Posted 12:01 24th February 2012
JayStarr says...
Whoah..! What a start to Super Rugby!!
Great game of rugby - brilliant pace, brilliant tries, brilliant tackles and nail biting right until the final whistle! Even the ref was good...
The Blues looks like a better team, but the Crusaders played better as a team. That was the difference.
However, if the Blues can gel, they look like they will take the conference this year... Rene Ranger, Rudi Wulf, Isaia Toeava, Jerome Kaino, Keven Mealamu and even Daniel Braid were in fine form - and they still have Piri Weepu and Ma'a Nonu to join! Their scrum also had the better of the Crusaders - and that's not something you see every day!
In the end they were stupid with their drop-goal attempt... They simply weren't patient enough - the forwards didn't create enough space for Weepu and then he had to rush his attempt under pressure from Dagg. If they tried to push the Crusaders behind their line first and put some pressure on them, they would've just had to tap it over and the game would've been theirs...
But good composure from the Crusaders (as always) and great team effort (as always).
If you want to win against the Crusaders, you have to work for every point!
Posted 09:55 24th February 2012
ABlack says...
excellent game. Crusaders usual clinical self. Blues self destruct
Posted 08:25 24th February 2012