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Dominant Crusaders make most of opportunities to punish Blues in top-of-the-table clash
By Online Editors
Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga scored 28 points in an outstanding individual display to drive the Crusaders to a 43-27 win over the Blues in a Super Rugby Aotearoa clash of Test match intensity on Sunday.
A big crowd turned out at Eden Park hoping to see the home side snap a 12-match losing streak against the Crusaders going back to 2014 but the reigning champions took their chances clinically to extend their lead at the top of the standings.
Mo'unga skipped over the line for a try 11 minutes from time but it was his unerring kicking from the tee that proved decisive as he slotted five penalties and converted all four tries.
The Blues scored four tries, three in the second half, but their hopes of snatching a win at the death were dashed when prop Ofa Tuungafasi was sent to the sin bin five minutes from time for an illegal clear-out of Scott Barrett.
The Crusaders retained their 100 per cent record this season to move nine points clear of the previously unbeaten Blues in the standings and remain in the box seat for a 12th Super Rugby title.
"It's great to win here at Eden Park," said Crusaders captain Barrett.
"The Blues played some great rugby and tested us up front, it was a real battle there.
"It was almost like a Test match and we had to turn pressure into points."
With 20 All Blacks on the field, the clash was always going to be intense and the Blues pack tore into the Crusaders from the start.
"There was a lot of wrongdoing on our side and against the Crusaders you can't afford to do that," Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.
Crusaders: 43 (Jack Goodhue, Richie Mo'unga, Sevu Reece, Codie Taylor tries; Mo'unga 4 cons, 5 pens)
Blues: 27 (Kurt Eklund 2, Blake Gibson, Hoskins Sotutu tries; Otere Black, Harry Plummer cons; Black pen)
- Reuters
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Latest Comments
I guess the other option would be to start ALB, he's looked good in the 12 so far when he starts and sets up those outside him. But that would mean putting the vice captain on the bench, which is unlikely. Another option would be to drop Reiko to the bench and play Proctor, though he's gone home so that's not going to happen either.
Both of those players just offer more of the soft distribution skills good centres learn from playing their careers there. Unfortunately that's what's lacking with the current combo.
Go to commentsWhatever let's see if this load of waffle is still valid in 2 years time. ABs will rise we have a lot of new talent coming through. The NPC was the highest standard for years. The game is changing to suit the fast pace we like to play. We get to play the Springboks more, including the franchises, which will make us better! Overall I am optimistic. I will add having watched the England game multiple times we made most of the play. England are an awesome physical team, but you can expect the All Blacks to get better and better at executing the chances. It could easily have been 5 tries to one instead of 3 to 1.
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