Blues vs Crusaders

The test for rugby is to produce a spectacle on Saturday that meets the importance of the occasion.

The Blues won the Super Rugby trans-Tasman title last year but it was a championship which comes with an asterisk because of pandemic disruption. The teams seem closely matched and no particular area stands out as a strength. Support for Super Rugby has been steadily falling, partly because COVID has caused a disconnection between fans and their teams but also because of a more general ennui. So you hopefully keep that crowd quiet for most the game.” Even with the introduction of two Pacific teams this season, Super Rugby seems to produce much that fans have seen before; similar contests between the same old teams. That goes against the trend this season of falling attendances.

More than 45,000 ticket holders are expected to fill Eden Park seats, along with more on foot after a last-minute move by the stadium to make space for fans ...

For the local team to win against them would definitely be the best final." "There's no doubt the Blues' performances have lifted the city's confidence after such a challenging few years. "People know and like what we do so they will be there to support the Blues and what we can put on for them beforehand." [And] the imagery of a sellout Eden Park this weekend will undoubtedly assist with the revitalisation of Auckland's economy." The carnival atmosphere was also being encouraged from Eden Park and across the city, with the park lit blue from last night as part of the #blueeverywhere drive, Eden Park chief executive Nick Sautner said. A bumper night is also expected at city bars and pubs, with patrons expected before - and long after - the 7.05pm kick-off.

The time for talking is almost over, as the two sides prepare to square off at Eden Park in Saturday's showpiece.

Eden Park, Auckland. Saturday, 7.05pm (live coverage on Stuff from 6.40pm). THE TEAMS. Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, ...

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. If quality local sport journalism is important to you, become a Stuff supporter today. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment.

Comment - It's happy days at Eden Park as they prepare to do something the All Blacks embarrassingly couldn't achieve the last time they were there - a ...

But this is the Crusaders, 12-time champions** and the last four in a row. That attitude has also seen them record three red cards this year, with one being Scott Barrett being dismissed in the loss to the Blues. This Blues organisation has made this journey by backing coach Leon MacDonald despite early wobbles, recruiting smartly and adjusting well to the challenges that the last couple of years have thrown up. The buzz-phrase these days in sports talk is about pulling in the same direction, whether it's a boat or waka or whatever. Then, earlier this week, the form of two of their standouts was rewarded when the All Black squad was announced. Belief is high among thousands of Blues fans who will pour through the gates.

The Blues and Crusaders will battle it out to crown the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific champion.

Coverage will be live and ad-free on Stan Sport, slated to start at 4:30 pm with kickoff expected at 5:05 pm. The Blues' clash with the Crusaders will be shown LIVE on Stan Sport and the Nine Network. The Blues and Crusaders will battle it out to crown the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific champion.

Blues are playing against Crusaders at the Eden Park in Auckland this Saturday at 18th June 2022 at 10:05 a.m. (Moscow time). The match will surely be a ...

Last week, the Chiefs were defeated 20-7 in the semi-finals. Apart from the Brumbies and the Reds, they were regularly tested. It demonstrated that the Blues are not unstoppable. They finished second in the table and may be the only squad capable of winning at Eden Park. The Blues have been nearly perfect this season, easily dominating the regular season table. It was the Blues' first victory against their opponents in 14 attempts.

Crusaders capitalise on early dominance to take lead through a Richie Mo'unga dropped goal.

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The long-standing rivalry between the Blues and Crusaders will be put to the test in tonight's sold out Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park.

Join us as the Blues and Crusaders play for the Super Rugby Pacific title at Eden Park in Auckland.

Barrett kicks for touch and the Blues have a lineout 10m inside the Crusaders half. Another sloppy Blues lineout and the Crusaders win it again. Crusaders clear off the restart and the Blues lose another lineout on halfway. Crusaders throw it back in quickly and capitalise on the unsettled Blues defence. Crusaders work a backline move after settling from the dropout and it finishes with a grubber for the corner. With a second penalty the Blues get a lineout 10m inside the Crusaders half. Mo'unga kicks for touch and it's a Crusaders lineout 10m inside the Blues half. After losing yet another lineout, the Blues get another chance to correct it with a poor Crusaders clearance. The feed is clean, it comes to the backline and now it's the Blues' turn for a knock on. Beauden Barrett kicks for touch and it's a Blues lineout on the Crusaders 10m line. Somehow the Blues deny the Crusaders again! Crusaders kick it deep shortly after the restart and the Blues bundle the recovery.

Join us at 7pm, as the archrivals square off in the season finale, with the home side riding a 14-game winning streak.

The players have been revealed for the Super Rugby final at Eden Park. Video / NZ Herald / Getty / Ben Cummins / Supplied. NZ Herald.

Handling in contact from the Blues was also poor. Some of those issues can be attributed to Sam Whitelock and Scott Barrett but it was also symptomatic of the Blues wilting under finals pressure. The Blues were fortunate not to turn further than 13-0 behind at halftime. The only surprise of Soane Vikena replacing Blues hooker Kurt Eklund early in the second half was that it took so long. They held the ball, dictated terms and took their chances. Six titles in six years.

The Blues have fallen at the last hurdle, going down to the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Pacific final. Who were their best performers on the night?

On in 54th minute. On in 54th minute. Off in 78th minute. On in 54th minute. Off in 45th minute. Off in 45th minute. Struggled to get the ball in any space and was well wrapped up in the narrow channels. Wasn’t able to add much more in the second spell. Came out second best in the battle of the All Blacks first fives. Off in 54th minute. Traded blows with Pablo Matera early doors and got stuck in on defence in the early stages of the game but wasn’t able to add much impact at the breakdown. One of the quietest matches we’ve seen from Ioane in recent seasons.

The Crusaders have won the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific title, beating the Blues 21-7 at Eden Park.

It's a tough one to swallow." "We didn't fire a shot in the first half and we knew we needed to come up with some solutions," said Barrett. The second half began in similar fashion to the first, with the Crusaders finding themselves in the Blues 22 for extended periods of time.