Crusaders dismantle Blues to enter mix as genuine title contenders

The Crusaders have turned the pressure up on the defending champion Blues with a bonus point 42-19 victory at Eden Park tonight.

The visitors scored seven tries to three and the margin of their victory could have been greater but for the wayward goalkicking of first-five Taha Kemara, who missed four shots – just as he did during his side’s victory over the Force last weekend.

Their big win keeps the Crusaders in second place and it was a statement performance for a team that did not win away from home last year.

It was their fourth win in five matches – the Blues are now 1-5 – and it was clearly one that coach Rob Penney had targeted.

After their defeat to the Chiefs in Hamilton, the Crusaders had looked good in beating the Force and before them the Reds – both in Christchurch – but there was still a question mark about how much they had improved.

By quite a margin, it appears - and they will now enter the mix as genuine title contenders.

Led by inspirational skipper David Havili, the Crusaders played with far greater control and continuity than their opponents.

It meant they could stretch the Blues and then finish their opportunities.

The scrums were relatively even but the Crusaders had an edge in the lineout and maul. After last year’s breakout championship win by the Blues which was based on physicality and set piece excellence, this is quite the fall from grace.

Both teams were troubled by late injuries before the match, with hooker Codie Taylor ruled out yesterday after the captain’s run and the Blues missing both their first-choice hookers Ricky Riccitelli and Kurt Eklund. Lock Patrick Tuipulotu's absence was also keenly felt by the Blues.

With the impressive Ioane Moananu having a standout game in the No.2 jersey, All Blacks props Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell destructive and locks Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfoon busy and accurate, the Crusaders had an edge up front.

The Blues were on the board first via Dalton Papali’i thanks in part to a defensive misread from Havili, but the Crusaders were in control once halfback Kyle Preston forced his way over.

Wing Chay Fihaki, who troubled the Blues all night with his pace and long kicking game, scored the first of his two tries, with prop Tamaiti Williams then barging over.

A penalty on the stroke of halftime pushed the Crusaders’ advantage to 20-7.

The Blues were in trouble straight from the re-start, with Fihaki the beneficiary and the Blues were in more trouble when lock Laghlan McWhannell was sinbinned for not retreating from a free-kick.

A Tom Christie try from a lineout maul made it 30-7 and put the game virtually out of reach for the Blues.

They responded with a try for Marcel Renata, only for Macca Springer, the Crusaders’ five-try hero from last weekend, to run on to a kick-pass from James O’Connor, Kemara’s replacement. It was former Wallaby O’Connor’s first victory at Eden Park.

Finlay Christie’s try for the Blues with 12 minutes remaining came before an exerted period of pressure by the home side which put the Crusaders’ winning bonus point at risk, but the visitors emerged without conceding another try and, as the final siren sounded, Will Jordan scored his almost inevitable try.

The Crusaders’ attack has sparkled over the last three weeks but their biggest improvement is their defence – it was far more accurate and enthusiastic than the Blues, and it was the key to what for them will be a special victory.

The Blues now have a week off to mull their many issues – not helped by injuries to key men such as Beauden Barrett – due to their bye.

The Crusaders will host the Moana Pasifika next weekend.

Crusaders 42 (Chay Fihaki 2, Kyle Preston, Tamaiti Williams, Tom Christie, Macca Springer, Will Jordan tries; Taha Kemara con, pen, James O’Connor con)

Blues 19 (Dalton Papali’i, Marcel Renata, Finlay Christie tries; Xavi Taele con, Harry Plummer con)

Halftime: 20-7