Blues

28 - 34

Full Time

Crusaders

Blues vs Crusaders

Events

Commentary

Live Updates

It's all over! The referee has blown their whistle to end the game.

80'

This is dangerous for the defence as Hoskins Sotutu bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

76'

This is dangerous for the defence as Hoskins Sotutu bursts through to advance the Blues attack.

76'

Christian Lio-Willie comes on.

75'

Joe Moody comes off.

75'

Taine Plumtree comes on.

75'

Dalton Papali'i comes off.

75'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Taufa Funaki getting some game time.

71'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Finlay Christie being replaced.

71'

Crusaders make a substitution with Zach Gallagher coming on.

69'

Crusaders make a substitution with Macca Springer coming off.

69'

A gap opened in the defence and Dalton Papali'i took full advantage.

69'

Crusaders make a substitution with Joe Moody coming on.

65'

Crusaders make a substitution with Christian Lio-Willie coming off.

65'

Yellow Card

Kershawl Sykes-Martin (Crusaders) is shown a yellow card

65'

Penalty Goal

The touch judges raise their flags as Richie Mo'unga kicks the penalty goal.

64'

George Bower comes on for Crusaders.

59'

Tamaiti Williams leaves the field.

59'

Zarn Sullivan comes on for Blues.

59'

Stephen Perofeta leaves the field.

59'

Kurt Eklund comes on for Blues.

56'

Ricky Riccitelli leaves the field.

56'

Kershawl Sykes-Martin comes on for Crusaders.

56'

Joe Moody leaves the field.

56'

Christian Lio-Willie comes on for Crusaders.

56'

Sione Havili leaves the field.

56'

Brodie McAlister comes on for Crusaders.

56'

Codie Taylor leaves the field.

56'

Conversion

The touch judges raise their flags as Beauden Barrett kicks the conversion.

55'

Try

Nothing was going to stop Stephen Perofeta from scoring as they record the try for Blues.

54'

That's a great try assist by Finlay Christie.

54'

Tom Robinson comes on.

51'

Cameron Suafoa comes off.

51'

Macca Springer comes on.

51'

Leicester Fainga'anuku comes off.

51'

Willi Heinz comes on.

51'

Mitchell Drummond comes off.

51'

Bryce Heem comes on.

51'

Roger Tuivasa-Sheck comes off.

51'

Caleb Clarke makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

47'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with Pepesana Patafilo getting some game time.

47'

Crusaders decide to make a substitution, with Sevu Reece being replaced.

47'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Cameron Suafoa getting some game time.

47'

Blues decide to make a substitution, with Kurt Eklund being replaced.

47'

Conversion

Richie Mo'unga adds the two points for Crusaders.

46'

Try

Nobody was going to stop Leicester Fainga'anuku from scoring that try!

45'

Leicester Fainga'anuku makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

45'

Mark Telea makes the break as the defence re-enacts the parting of the red sea.

43'

Fabulous play by Blues has led to Caleb Clarke being able to wriggle through a gap.

40'

The second half kicks off.

40'

The half-time whistle blows and both teams head for the dressing rooms.

40'

Crusaders go for goal with Richie Mo'unga taking the conversion but their aim is not up to scratch as the ball slides to the left of the post.

37'

Try

Incisive passing by Crusaders is finished off by Leicester Fainga'anuku, as they goes over for the try.

36'

That's a great try assist by Fergus Burke.

36'

Stephen Perofeta departs for Blues.

35'

Blues sub Kurt Eklund comes onto the field.

35'

Cameron Suafoa departs for Blues.

35'

Yellow Card

Jordan Lay (Blues) is shown a yellow card

35'

Fabulous play by Crusaders has led to Dallas McLeod being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Fabulous play by Crusaders has led to Sevu Reece being able to wriggle through a gap.

35'

Conversion

Richie Mo'unga does the business as their conversion attempt goes over.

33'

Try

Silky skills by Crusaders ends with a try for Leicester Fainga'anuku.

31'

Trouble here as Leicester Fainga'anuku breaches the defence.

31'

Spellbinding play by Richie Mo'unga is finished off with a try.

31'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

27'

Try

Silky skills by Blues ends with a try for Roger Tuivasa-Sheck.

27'

Trouble here as Roger Tuivasa-Sheck breaches the defence.

27'

Rieko Ioane played a key part in that try.

26'

Trouble here as Nepo Laulala breaches the defence.

26'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

25'

Try

Blues are stopped just a few metres from the try line but Caleb Clarke picks up from the base of the ruck to score the try.

23'

That's a great try assist by Finlay Christie.

23'

Conversion

Richie Mo'unga makes no mistake with that conversion attempt.

21'

Try

A wonderful passing move by Crusaders is finished off by Ethan Blackadder

20'

That's a great try assist by Mitchell Drummond.

20'

Richie Mo'unga curls the ball too far, missing the posts to the left.

17'

Try

A series of passes by Crusaders results in a try for Fergus Burke

15'

Spellbinding play by Braydon Ennor is finished off with a try.

15'

Blues sub Nepo Laulala comes onto the field.

14'

James Lay departs for Blues.

14'

Blues sub Jordan Lay comes onto the field.

13'

Alex Hodgman departs for Blues.

13'

A gap opened in the defence and Sam Whitelock took full advantage.

11'

Conversion

Beauden Barrett has kicked a conversion.

Try

A stunning solo try from Mark Telea

The defensive line has been broken as Mark Telea goes through the gap.

That's a great try assist by Beauden Barrett.

The defensive line has been broken as Caleb Clarke goes through the gap.

The defensive line has been broken as Dalton Papali'i goes through the gap.

We are underway as the referee blows their whistle.

Match Details

  
 Blues v Crusaders 
  
 Round 4 
  
 Fri 17th March 2023, 11:05pm PDT 
  
 Eden Park

Points Flow Chart

Crusaders win +6

Time in lead

Mins in lead

30%

% Of Game In Lead

61%

79%

Possession Last 10 min

21%

Points Last 10 min

Key Events

Full Time

Sykes-Martin

65'

28 - 34

Mo'unga

64'

28 - 34

Barrett

28 - 31

55'

Perofeta

26 - 31

54'

Mo'unga

46'

21 - 31

Fainga'anuku

45'

21 - 29

Half Time

Fainga'anuku

36'

21 - 24

Lay

21 - 19

35'

Mo'unga

33'

21 - 19

Fainga'anuku

31'

21 - 17

Barrett

21 - 12

27'

Tuivasa-Sheck

19 - 12

27'

Barrett

14 - 12

25'

Clarke

12 - 12

23'

Mo'unga

21'

7 - 12

Blackadder

20'

7 - 10

Burke

15'

7 - 5

Barrett

7 - 0

Telea

5 - 0

Start

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

2.1

Entries

Avg. Points Scored

5.1

Entries

Attack Profile

Blues

Crusaders

More Less

Defence Profile

Blues

Crusaders

More Less

Ruck Speed

0-3 secs

48%

67%

3-6 secs

41%

19%

6+ secs

118

Rucks Won

Blues vs Crusaders Kick Off Times & TV Channel

Blues face off against Crusaders in Super Rugby Pacific Round 4 on Fri 17th March 2023 at Eden Park. Kick-off in the UK is scheduled for 06:05. In South Africa it’s at 08:05 SAST, 19:05 NZST in New Zealand, 17:05 AEST in Australia and 23:05 EST in the US.

Crusaders won the last encounter but Crusaders are in the best form of their last 5 games.

Table Standings

Heading into the fixture the two sides are separated by just 1 place in the league table with Crusaders in 2nd and Blues in 3rd underlining just how tight this match could be.

Blues vs Crusaders Squads

The official squads for Blues vs Crusaders will become available around 24- 48 hours before kick-off. Teams can still make changes up to an hour before the match however.