Crusaders win ugly against Blues in Christchurch

The Crusaders moved 13 points clear at the New Zealand Conference summit after beating the Blues 19-11 at Christchurch Stadium on Saturday. 

In a stop-start contest it was a match low on entertainment but the champions once again showed their ability to win without playing well.

Bryn Hall claimed their only try of the contest, coming in the first period, while Richie Mo’unga landed 14 points off the tee for his team. Rieko Ioane replied with a try while Harry Plummer kicked six points as the Blues stay bottom of the Conference due to the Chiefs winning.

It was a one-sided first half in Christchurch as the Crusaders dominated up front, enjoying 64% of territory as they starved the Blues of possession. Indeed the visitors could not get their hands on the ball as the 2018 holders played smart, low error rugby that was impressive.

They opened the scoring on nine minutes when hands in the ruck from Jonathan Ruru allowed Mo’unga to step up and make it a 3-0 lead. That was doubled seven minutes later as, after the same Blues offence, Mo’unga was again successful as the hosts deserved their lead.

It was all Crusaders at this point and therefore it came as no surprise when they crossed on 20 minutes, with Mo’unga’s clever chip ahead being collected by centre Ryan Crotty, who fed Hall for the run-in. With the conversion Scott Robertson’s outfit were cruising at 13-0.

There was some brief respite for the Blues when Plummer landed three points after Matt Todd was pinged for going off his feet after 23 minutes, but that proved the final points of the half, with the Crusaders going close via George Bridge with a try-scoring chance wide out.

Bridge was then denied a try three minutes into the second 40 due to an earlier knock-on from Sevu Reece, chalking off a slick kick pass. Shortly afterwards the Crusaders missed a chance to extend their lead off the tee, Mo’unga wide after Whetu Douglas pounced at a ruck.

The Crusaders continued to push and probe thereafter and were unlucky not to cross when Mo’unga appeared to be tackled high by Melani Nanai before he attempted to ground the ball on the whitewash on the left. However, referee Mike Fraser was happy the hit was legal.

Unbelievably, it was the Blues who ultimately opened the second-half scoring, via Plummer for 13-6, after the hosts did not roll away. However, that was chalked off as frustratingly for the Blues they were in front of a clearing kick, which allowed Mo’unga to make it 16-6.

It was game on though with 10 minutes remaining when wing Ioane crossed on the left following excellent handling from Nanai, making it a five-point ball game in the closing stages. However, the Blues’ hopes were short-lived as ill discipline allowed Crusaders fly-half Mo’unga to make it 19-11, thus denying the visitors even a losing bonus-point for their efforts.