The Canterbury Crusaders secured a spot in their 17th Super Rugby final after overcoming an early deficit to defeat the Auckland Blues 21-14 in a highly competitive match on Friday. Will Jordan's two tries were instrumental in the Crusaders' victory.
The Blues, the reigning champions, fought relentlessly, attempting to score a converted try in the final moments to force overtime. However, the Crusaders' defense proved impenetrable, preserving their lead and keeping them on course for a 13th title. Tom Christie's try ignited the Crusaders' comeback after they had fallen behind 14-0 early in the game.
The Crusaders are now guaranteed to host the final at their home ground next week, where they will face either the Waikato Chiefs or the ACT Brumbies. The Crusaders' dominance in playoff matches is remarkable, having remained unbeaten in 31 playoff games over the history of Super Rugby.
The Blues, who had narrowly qualified for the playoffs, displayed their attacking intent early on. However, the Crusaders weathered the initial storm and responded with their own offensive efforts. The match saw a series of momentum swings, with both teams trading blows.
The Crusaders faced setbacks, including a yellow card for Braydon Ennor. Despite these challenges, they managed to level the score before halftime, with Jordan's try proving crucial. The second half saw the Crusaders take control, with Jordan scoring his second try to give them the lead. The Blues' hopes were further diminished when Hoskins Sotutu was sent to the sin bin.
2 Comments
Eric Cartman
The Crusaders' win doesn't show their skill; it shows their ability to take advantage of mistakes.
Stan Marsh
The Blues were the reigning champions and almost pulled it off. The Crusaders didn’t dominate as much as everyone claims.