Crusaders blow Blues away
The Crusaders kept alive their Super Rugby play-off hopes with an impressive 29-15 win over the Blues Christchurch on Saturday.
Although the Blues fought hard and at one stage in the first half had closed the gap to just four points, it was a 14-point blitz in the first quarter proved to be the difference.
The Crusaders outscored the Blues by four tries to two, with the bonus-point win keeping them in touch with the teams in the play-off zone.
Giant Fijian wing Nemani Nadolo was a central figure in the victory, creating the space and firing the last pass for three of the Crusaders four tries.
All Blacks Richie McCaw and Ryan Crotty also made considerable contributions as the Crusaders produced a much improved effort after losing their last two games, both of them at home.
McCaw claimed turnovers that lead to two tries and Crotty, who missed last week's 26-9 loss to the Waikato Chiefs, added punch in the centres.
However, McCaw's match finished early after he was forced from the field with a head knock midway through the second half.
The Crusaders now have five wins from 10 games with captain Kieran Read noting the seven-times champions had kept their play-off chances alive but had a lot of work to do.
"It wasn't perfect but a big step up from last week."
The Blues, who have now lost nine of 10 games this year, made eight changes to their side which included the omission of All Blacks Jerome Kaino, James Parson and Charles Piutau.
With 20 minutes remaining and the Crusaders up 29-10, All Blacks props Tony Woodcock and Charlie Faumuina were replaced leaving them with a novice look.
The Crusaders made a flying start with tries to Mitchell Drummond and Jordan Taufua both scored following incisive runs by Nadolo in moves which originated with McCaw turnovers.
The Blues weathered further pressure as the red-and-blacks spurned kickable penalties in pursuit of a third try, struck back with a penalty by Dan Bowden and a try to Francis Saili before a Colin Slade penalty left the Crusaders ahead 17-10 at half-time.
Nadolo was immediately in the action at the start of the second half when he busted past two Blues defenders before unloading an inside pass to Tom Taylor for the try.
Hooker Codie Taylor ensured the bonus point for the Crusaders when the Blues ran out of defenders with replacement scrum-half Jamison Gibson-Park sent to the sin-bin for a professional foul only a minute after taking the field.
The Blues struck back with a well-constructed try to Brendon O'Connor to close the gap to 29-15 with 15 minutes remaining.
But although they had plenty of possession in the closing 15 minutes their error count was too high to make any further impression.
Man of the match: Akira Ioane again showed why he is so highly rated, twice in one move handing off All Black captain Richie McCaw. Steven Luatua tried hard and Jimmy Cowan had his moments. Brendon O'Connor and Francis Saili are also worth mentioning. Jordan Taufua may have played with a No.6 on his back, but he was all over the park and by some distance the Crusaders' most productive player in the first half. Richie McCaw showed he has plenty left in those old legs, although there will be concern about the concussion he suffered midway through the second half. Kieran Read's form is also improving. You can always bank on Sam Whitelock to produce a high workrate and be effective in the tight exchanges. However, or award goes to Fijian flyer and Crusaders wing Nemani Nadolo. He showed he is not just brute force, with some sublime touches - also setting up two tries.
The scorers:
For the Crusaders:
Tries: Drummond, Taufua, T Taylor, C Taylor
Cons: Slade 3
Pens: Slade
For the Blues:
Tries: Saili, O'Connor
Cons: Bowden
Pens: Bowden
Yellow card: Jamison Gibson-Park (Blues, 53 - professional foul, not releasing the tackled player or ball)
Teams:
Crusaders: 15 Tom Taylor, 14 David Havilli, 13 Ryan Crotty, 12 Dan Carter, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Richie McCaw, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Ben Funnell, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 Kieron Fonotia, 23 Nafi Tuitavake.
Blues: 15 Lolagi Visinia, 14 Frank Halai, 13 Francis Saili, 12 George Moala, 11 Melani Nanai, 10 Dan Bowden, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Brendon O'Connor, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Hayden Triggs, 4 Josh Bekhuis, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu (captain), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Angus Ta'avao, 19 Culum Retallick, 20 Blake Gibson, 21 Jamison Gibson-Park, 22 Ihaia West, 23 Tevita Li.
Referee: Chris Pollock (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Glen Jackson (New Zealand), Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
TMO: Vinny Munro (New Zealand)