Blues vs Crusaders

The players have been revealed for the Super Rugby final at Eden Park. Video / NZ Herald / Getty / Ben Cummins / Supplied. NZ Herald.

Handling in contact from the Blues was also poor. Some of those issues can be attributed to Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett but it was also symptomatic of the Blues wilting under finals pressure. The Blues were fortunate not to turn further than 13-0 behind at halftime. The only surprise of Soane Vikena replacing Blues hooker Kurt Eklund early in the second half was that it took so long. They held the ball, dictated terms and took their chances. Six titles in six years.

A dominant lineout laid the platform for another red and black triumph in Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park.

But this was a masterclass performance in pressure rugby from the Crusaders, and that elevated a competitive encounter into a quality one. He was right at the heart of a dominant forward performance that the Blues simply had no answer to. The Red and Blacks had been absolutely rampant through the first 40, but had only a 6-0 lead to show for it. The halfback’s little dab-down from a metre out made it a much more comfortable 13-0. The Crusaders forwards dominated the battle for possession and territory, and negated the dangerous home backline superbly throughout. They are quite simply indomitable, and it is no coincidence Robertson is considered the All Blacks coach in waiting.

The Crusaders have won the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific title, beating the Blues 21-7 at Eden Park.

It's a tough one to swallow." "We didn't fire a shot in the first half and we knew we needed to come up with some solutions," said Barrett. The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Crusaders finding themselves in the Blues 22 for extended periods of time.

The Crusaders have been crowned the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific champions after a 21-7 win over the Blues in the final played in Auckland.

Crusaders Crusaders The Crusaders unleashed a heady mix of precision and power to beat the Blues 21-7 in the Super Rugby Pacific final in Auckland on Saturday and collect a 13th title.

The Blues have fallen at the last hurdle, going down to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Who were their best performers on the night?

On in 54th minute. On in 54th minute. Off in 78th minute. On in 54th minute. Off in 45th minute. Off in 45th minute. Struggled to get the ball in any space and was well wrapped up in the narrow channels. Wasn’t able to add much more in the second spell. Came out second best in the battle of the All Blacks first fives. Off in 54th minute. Traded blows with Pablo Matera early doors and got stuck in on defence in the early stages of the game but wasn’t able to add much impact at the breakdown. One of the quietest matches we’ve seen from Ioane in recent seasons.

The Crusaders have defeated the Blues 21-7 at Eden Park as the Blues 15-match winning streak was ruthlessly snapped in the Super Rugby Pacific final.

It’s a tough one to swallow.” Leicester Fainga’anuku had earlier been held up over the line and the hulking winger was stopped just short when he launched himself at it again. The Crusaders have strangled the ladder-topping Blues with a ruthless display of power rugby to win the Super Rugby Pacific final in Auckland, claiming a record-extending 11th Super Rugby crown.

OPINION: As good as Richie Mo'unga and David Havili were, Sam Whitelock was arguably the best player on the park in the final.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. All over the Blues like a rash at lineout time, it was Whitelock who orchestrated the hosts’ lineout demise, as they went a miserable 9/19. The veteran lock also made a couple of crunch steals. Made a clutch defensive play by earning his side a penalty just as the Blues were threatening in the final 10 minutes. But Barrett is now arguably playing the best rugby of his career. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. Couldn’t wipe the smile off his dial after his kick led to Reece’s game-sealing try. His first-half 50/20 was a demonstration of just how handy his right-boot is. Perhaps unlucky not to be awarded a first half try, with referee Ben O’Keeffe’s on-field decision key in denying the blockbusting wing a five-pointer. Don’t underestimate how key his exit kicks were in shutting out the Blues. Having also chalked up 32 hard-grafting metres on 10 carries, and making 12 carries, All Blacks selectors would be wise to keep his number handy. It was Reece’s 10th try of the season. Combined well with Havili to shut down the Blues’ midfield.

OPINION: The writing was on the wall when the first lineout throw went astray, as the Blues' game-breakers got no platform to work with.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment. Injected at start of second half for three-minute cameo, then returned for good a few minutes later. Injected in 45th minute to sort the lineout, then after calling his first one, saw it sail over his head. Hammered backwards at scrum, then didn’t do a great halfback impersonation which led to the match-winning Sevu Reece try. But didn’t take long to become a victim as well. Soane Vikena: At least got his first throw on target – if not long and over the back. Alex Hodgman: Held up his side of the scrum, took a couple of carries and gave a nice pass. Josh Goodhue: Coach-killing ball spill in dying stages of the first half, as Crusaders pounced for a penalty and got down the other end for the opening try. Saved the day on tryline with penalty over the ball, and made a game-high 26 tackles in a hefty team tally of 216, but couldn’t get x-factor game going in bumbling Blues attack. Finlay Christie: The one ray of light amidst the gloom. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck: Strong defensively as the Blues were put under the pump in the first half.