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Blues player ratings vs Crusaders | 2025 Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals
By Finn Morton
The Blues are out of the Super Rugby Pacific playoff race, with their title defence coming to an end on Friday night in Christchurch. While they put up an impressive fight, the Crusaders were too good, winning 21-14 at Apollo Projects Stadium.
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Mark Tele’a and Rieko Ioane scored first-half tries for the Blues, who raced out to a 14-nil lead, but the Crusaders clawed their way back into the contest and eventually took control. The Blues gave it everything in the final play, looking to level the scores, but it wasn’t to be.
Here’s how the Blues rated.
1. Josh Fusitu’a – 5/10
There’s been a bit of chat recently about Josh Fusitu’a as a potential All Blacks bolter, and there is definitely merit to that. The loosehead prop has been solid all season, and there were shades of that on Friday, but a yellow card is unfortunately the biggest talking point.
Fusitu’a contributed to a solid Blues set-piece, which took it to the Crusaders’ world-renowned front-row, but the 24-year-old was shown the cheese for a head-on-head clash in the 27th minute. The prop was good otherwise, but outplayed by teammate Marcel Renata.
2. Ricky Riccitelli – 7.5
In Ricky Riccitelli’s last game for the Blues, the hooker certainly did the jersey justice during a 66 minute shift at Apollo Projects Stadum. Riccitelli was accurate at the lineout, had the second-most carries out of any Blues player when he was replaced, and defended well.
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3. Marcel Renata – 6
Marcel Renata contributed to an effective Blues scrum during the first term, which was able to match it with the star-studded pack the Crusaders have. Renata finished as one of the Blues’ top tacklers despite only playing 51 minutes as well – a solid knock.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu – 9
That was a proper captain’s knock from Patrick Tuipulotu. Tuipulotu was a workhorse in attack, clocking in with the most tackles completed out of any Blues player an hour into the contest, and the skipper was also a general at the lineout – as always, really.
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5. Laghlan McWhannell – 6
Laghlan McWhannell was especially impactful at the lineout, with the lock winning one against the throw in the 18th minute. McWhannell was otherwise solid around the park, especially in defence, before leaving the field with about 20 minutes left to play.
6. Adrian Choat – 5
It was a quiet night for Adrian Choat, who wasn’t about to make a noticeable difference before leaving the park in the 46th minute. Choat only carried the ball once and was mid-table for tackles completed with six
7. Dalton Papali’i – 7.5
There’s been a lot of discussion this season about the All Blacks’ options in the backrow, with Du’Plessis Kirifi seemingly in the frame for national honours. But let’s not forget about Dalton Papali’i, who was prolific on the defensive side of the ball.
Papali’i was one of the Blues’ top tacklers on the night, up there with Hoskins Sotutu, and the openside flanker was also a difference-maker around the breakdown. While Papali’i’s selection in the All Blacks is no guarantee, it still seems likely.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 7.5
Déjà vu is defined by the Oxford Dictionary as “the feeling that you have previously experienced something” that is happening now. When Hoskins Sotutu was performing at an MVP-level in 2024, there was a lot of chat about All Blacks selection, and here we are again.
This mouth-watering clash between the Blues and the Crusaders might as well be labelled an All Blacks trial, with many matchups pitting Test hopefuls against the incumbent. Well, Sotutu showed some signs of promise once again.
Just before the half-time break, Sotutu was the only Blues player inside the top 13 for carries, as the fourth-ranked overall. Sotutu was a workhorse, and that level of effort was the case on the defensive side of the ball as well.
9. Finlay Christe – 7
Maybe the biggest winner when it comes to All Blacks selection. Finlay Christie clearly won the battle of the No. 9’s on Friday, outplaying one-Test All Black Noah Hotham – who had probably been favoured to make the national squad alongside Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima.
It was simple play from Christie that worked wonders for the Blues. Christie provided quality ball to Beauden Barrett and was a reliable option kicking out of danger as well. Without breaking the game open with highlight-calibre play, Christe was solid against the Saders.
10. Beauden Barrett – 7.5
Beauden Barrett should wear the All Blacks’ No. 10 jersey against the French next month. After a Player of the Match performance in the shock win over the Chiefs, Barrett was prolific once again against the Crusaders, with a couple of moments of brilliance to speak of.
Barrett nailed a pinpoint cross-field kick to Caleb Clarke early in the match, and followed that up with a try assist for Mark Tele’a soon after. The first five-eighth was solid around the park, and reliable off the goal-kicking tee as well – maybe the biggest plus ahead of the Test season.
11. Caleb Clarke – 6
All Blacks winger Clabe Clarke started the match with some error, but bounced back with an improved second half. Clarke threw a terrible pass along the grass in the fourth, and knocked the ball on in the seventh minute while trying to reel in a kick.
But by the end of the match, Clarke’s efforts on both sides of the ball reflected in the stat sheet. Clarke was busy in defence with nine tackles completed, and also made a mark in attack with seven carries.
12. AJ Lam – 6
It really is a mystery why AJ Lam isn’t mentioned in the All Blacks midfield debate. James O’Connor made the point this week on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby this week that David Havili hasn’t really been talked about; well, it’s a similar story for the Blues No. 12.
Lam was brilliant throughout the regular season, and the midfielder carried that form into the playoffs, with a couple of impactful involvements early on. But progressively as the match went on, Lam did go missing as the Crusaders took control.
13. Rieko Ioane – 7.5
Two-Test All Black Billy Proctor was named the Hurricanes’ best and fairest at the club’s awards night on Thursday. Proctor seems to be the fan favourite to start at outside centre for the All Blacks against France, but don’t forget about Rieko Ioane, who is the incumbent after all.
Ioane scored a hat-trick in the Blues’ much-needed win over the Waratahs in the final round of the regular season, and helped the defending champions steal the win in Hamilton last week. The veteran All Black was back in the headlines against the Crusaders as well.
Records are made to be broken. Ioane is now the all-time top try-scorer for the Blues, setting the new record with an effort midway through the first term. Ioane was one of the Blues’ busiest in attack on the night and stood tall on the defensive side of the ball.
14. Mark Tele’a – 6.5
For the last time in Blues colours before heading overseas to Japan, Mark Tele’a scored a try 11 minutes into this semi-final derby. Tele’a reaped the rewards of some Finlay Christie and Beauden Barrett magic, as the Blues took an early 5-nil lead.
Tele’a was otherwise a bit quiet though, not really able to have a telling impact on the match from there. Crusader Chay Fihaki outplayed the winger, and Caleb Clarke also improved as the match went on.
15. Zarn Sullivan – 7.5
For the first time since round 13, Zarn Sullivan was back in Blues colours, named at fullback for the team’s semi-final clash with the Crusaders. There were definitely shades of excellence from the outside back, including an especially memorable carry in the 45th minute.
Sullvan had a line break, was active in attack, and had a team-high for carry metres with more than 40. While it wasn’t a faultless performance, it was definitely a reminder that Sullivan is one of the best fullbacks in New Zealand.
Replacements
- Kurt Eklund – 7
- Jordan Lay – 5
- Angus Ta’avao – 6
- Josh Beehre – 5
- Anton Segner – 7.5
- Sam Nock – 5.5
- Harry Plummer – 5
- Cole Forbes – 5