Blues

Crusaders show style of old to beat Blues in Super thriller

That was the last time the Blues won the championship – 20 long years ago – but this match, won by the Crusaders 34-28, was a throwback to those times when this competition really meant something.

This, the Blues' first home game of the season, was ill-tempered, intense and highly relevant to the hopes of both teams.

In an extraordinary twist as the minutes ticked down, Blues’ lock James Tucker and No.8 Hoskins Sotutu were over for tries awarded by referee James Coleman but replays showed both lost the ball in the act of scoring.

Eyes on the prize but also the jersey for Stephen Perofeta

Don't get the Blues playmaker wrong, he has this year's Super Rugby competition at the forefront of his mind.

But, with Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett set to leave New Zealand after the global tournament, Perofeta could be forgiven for envisioning himself becoming the starting All Blacks first-five next year.

"I'd be lying if I said I hadn't thought about that.

"It will definitely be an opportunity when that time comes around. But, I don't want to put too much pressure on myself right now, worrying about what could happen in the future.

Super round a good test for Blues as they take on Brumbies

All 12 teams compete in the super round in Melbourne this weekend.

The Brumbies dominated their Australian rivals last year but fell short in a 20-19 thriller at Eden Park as the Blues booked their place in the final against the eventual champion Crusaders.

Reuters reports the Blues have won their last 14 regular season matches, including last week's 60-20 hiding of the Highlanders in their season-opener in Dunedin.

Nepo Laulala celebrates career milestone

Born in Samoa, Laulala is a former student of Wesley College, south of Auckland. He earned his first call up for the All Blacks in 2015 but missed out on making the squad to the Rugby World Cup (RWC) that year. However, he did make it into the 2019 All Blacks team which finished third at the RWC that year.

After making his super rugby debut for the Crusaders in 2013 and a move to the Chiefs in 2016, Laulala made a shift to the Blues in 2021 till now. The 100th cap milestone is a true testament to the 31 year olds hard work over the years.

Blues too good for Highlanders in massive win

Both teams exchanged penalties early in the game before the Blues went on a try-scoring rampage crossing the line four times in 15 minutes and racing out to a 31-6 lead at the half hour mark.

Blues winger Mark Telea scored the opening try and could nearly have scored the second until he passed out to Beauden Barrett for the first-five to dot down next to the posts.

Caleb Clarke used his pace to chase down a Barrett kick and score the third try.

Telea played a part in putting Rieko Ioane in space for a clear run at the Highlanders line for the fourth try.

‘Don’t pick and choose’: To’o’s Samoa decision sparks fierce eligibility debate

The 23-year-old, who will play his sixth game for NSW in the series decider, explained he will be “playing for my family” at the tournament in October.

As it stands, players such as To’o can represent NSW and Queensland in Origin before electing to play for tier-two nations.

But, speaking on Triple M, rugby league pundits explained they believed the system is flawed and players should elect where their future lies early in their careers.

Crusaders defeat Blues to claim Super Rugby Pacific championship

Leading 13-0 at half-time, the Crusaders never allowed the Blues within striking distance in the second half, denying the home side any real chance of coming back into the contest.

The Crusaders were the first to create scoring opportunities, with two close calls in the Blues' right hand corner.

Richie Mo'unga opened the scoring for the visitors with a tidy drop goal while the referee played a penalty advantage.

Handling errors from both sides ensued, as a combination of weather and final nerves made for scrappy rugby.

Super Rugby Pacific final revives rivalry

The sold-out sign was already up as the high-flying Blues got set to welcome long-time foes the Crusaders north to Eden Park.

It came 24 years on from the dramatic 1998 final, where a late try earned the Crusaders their maiden title.

A red and black man through and through until moving north three years ago, Blues coach Leon MacDonald expected the 2022 final to play out in similar fashion.

"It's going to be a lot like that.

Blues won't retreat into their shells against the Crusaders says Barrett

The Crusaders will be searching for a sixth title in six years after three straight Super Rugby titles followed by two domestic ones in 2020 and 2021, however this will be just the second time under Robertson they contest a final away from home.

Their first championship under Robertson was perhaps their most unlikely, upsetting the Lions at Ellis Park in Johannesburg 25-17 for a famous away win. They will have to repeat that feat again as they will likely be priced as slight underdogs in a final for the first time since then.

Blues snatch late win

The Brumbies looked like winning a battle of the best teams from either side of the Tasman Sea when hooker Billy Pollard crashed over the line off the back of a rolling maul in the 77th minute of a contest played at almost test match intensity.

The Blues turned the ball over, however, and made their way down to the home side's line and, with the referee playing advantage, All Blacks first five-eighth Barrett calmly took the three points to give his side a 12th straight win.