Super Rugby final

Leon MacDonald made it clear his Blues have very much forged their own path to this sold-out Super Rugby Pacific final at Eden Park.

We’ve shown at times we can be dogged on defence, we’ve shown a lot of heart there and that we can be physical. MacDonald was a cool customer in his playing days, and exudes that calm exterior as a coach. There are different ways to do things, and you don’t have to do them the same way. This year they appear to have made the final step, taking a 15-match win streak into the final, including their first victory in Christchurch (27-23) in 18 years. He was pretty fulsome in his praise, all things considered, saying he saw “familiarities”, that they were a "tight group" and it was clear they enjoyed each other's company But this is two days out from the Super Rugby Pacific grand final between New Zealand’s two most successful franchises at a sold-out Eden Park and, frankly, the Blues boss was having none of it.

All Blacks starting spots will be on the line when the Blues and Crusaders battle out the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday.

The Blues won the last time the pair clashed for the title, a 21-17 victory at home in 2003, avenging their 1998 defeat away to the Crusaders. With Australia's last team, the Brumbies, falling narrowly to the Blues last the weekend, the all-New Zealand final will play out in front of a sold-out stadium with players from both sides also keen to stake claims for All Blacks starting spots. The championship decider pits the attacking prowess of the host Blues on a 15-match winning streak against a Crusaders side that made a record 222 tackles against the Chiefs in the semi-finals to protect their perfect record in home playoffs.

Finishing a season of DHL Super Rugby Pacific with a pinnacle game between the Blues and Crusaders, a final decider at Eden Park on Saturday, was exciting ...

"It's a hell of a week to go up there and have a rivalry. We're excited, it's a perfect occasion for us," he said. That included the good things and those where they could have done better.

Fans who missed out on tickets for the sold-out match could watch from hallowed ground.

For the local team to win against them would definitely be the best final." It's been a phenomenal season and let's hope they can have one more victory this year." "We're delighted and very thankful for the support of the Auckland public.

It's not often the Crusaders go in as slight underdogs in a Super Rugby game - let alone a final. But that's the case this weekend as they take on the Blue.

Ahead of the Super Rugby Pacific final between the Blues and Crusaders at Eden Park on Saturday, we preview the showpiece event.

Both sides have venom in their backline, and the team with the better platform will have more of a chance to secure points. The centre has improved with every minute on the field and will hope to continue that momentum when he runs out for the final. With Perofeta taking over the kicking duties, all the fly-half has needed to do is create. However, after recovering from his head injury and then fighting off Covid-19, the All Black centurion returned to the field like a flamethrower, lighting up the field and underlining his class. On the other side is Stephen Perofeta, who has been a critical cog in the Blues engine this season. Packing down at the back of the Crusaders scrum is Cullen Grace, fresh off a brace in the semi-finals and a whopping tackle count of 22, making him a player to keep an eye on. Luckily for the Crusaders, the former Los Pumas captain has been cleared to play in the final. The All Black will be a key figure on Saturday with dominant ball carrying, a sharp skill-set and impressive breakdown work. Meanwhile, Blues superstar Beauden Barrett called on his teammates to be bold and confident heading into the showpiece game. The best team will win and I’d hate to be the reason we potentially lose.” Last time out, the Blues claimed a thrilling 27-23 win over the Crusaders in their first win in Christchurch in 18 years. Their play-off success rate is outrageous and, despite a rocky start by their standards, you always expect the Christchurch side to be there challenging for the title.

Blues coach and former Crusaders Super Rugby title winner on numerous occasions, Leon MacDonald knows what it will take for his side to end a modern dynasty ...

MacDonald said it was great to have a sold-out stadium. MacDonald said it was hard to hide from the tensions associated with playing the final. MacDonald predicted: "It will be a tighter game, it won't be an open game.

All Blacks starting spots will be on the line when the Blues and Crusaders battle out the Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday.

The Blues won the last time the pair clashed for the title, a 21-17 victory at home in 2003, avenging their 1998 defeat away to the Crusaders. With Australia's last team, the Brumbies, falling narrowly to the Blues last the weekend, the all-New Zealand final will play out in front of a sold-out stadium with players from both sides also keen to stake claims for All Blacks starting spots. The championship decider pits the attacking prowess of the host Blues on a 15-match winning streak against a Crusaders side that made a record 222 tackles against the Chiefs in the semi-finals to protect their perfect record in home playoffs.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Super Rugby Pacific final between the Auckland-based Blues and Christchurch-based Crusaders on Saturday is the contest ...

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. 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. 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.” That goes against the trend this season of falling attendances.

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.

Riding a 15-match win streak, Leon MacDonald's Super Rugby finalists are hotter than fish grease, have a sellout home crowd of 42000 and a lineup oozing ...

There’s a certain way we want to play, a certain way they want to play, and both defences are trying to shut that down.” You also have to react and adapt to how a game is panning out. “It comes down to who wins those little moments,” said the 36-year-old who will come off the bench for a likely final-quarter cameo. Romano, who may well be about to apply the final touch to an outstanding 14-year professional career, was of course a Crusaders stalwart until the Blues lured him north to lend his considerable experience and hard-nosed approach to their cause in 2022. MacDonald won six titles as a player with the Crusaders between 1997-2009, and another as an assistant to current super-coach Scott Robertson in 2017. The Blues have a lot going for them heading into Saturday’s Super Rugby final that might just, if not stop, at least capture the attention of a nation.

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.

Cameron McMillan uses a hazy memory, YouTube highlights and Herald match reports to rank the previous final encounters. Since the last time we did this, ...

That put the Blues out to a 21-10 lead and the Crusaders scored late through Caleb Ralph to make it a close finish. Dan Carter scored a gem after a dour opening 34 minutes where he beat the line by chipping ahead with his right boot, caught the ball on the second bounce and ran in to score. The Highlanders scored a late try and had the ball in the Crusaders half with time up before a forward pass ended the final. The number eight busted the staunch Brumbies' defence and then chipped ahead and regathered to extend the Crusaders to a 17-6 second half lead. Doug Howlett put the Blues in the lead with a try, his 12th of the season, before Daniel Braid extended the lead from a rolling maul off a lineout. However the Waratahs failed to score with an extra man and Carter kicked the Crusaders back into the lead and to a seventh title. The Lions launched a comeback and scored two tries in the final quarter as the Crusaders started to run out of gas. No one really gave the Brumbies a chance and they didn't have one as the Blues cruised to a second title. This was the first of three meetings in the final between the two teams. The Chiefs had the first week off before beating the Crusaders in a home semi. And that was that from the Chiefs. The Bulls scored 34 straight points in the first half, capped off by a Bryan Habana intercept just before the break. A Crusaders fan in the NZME sports department claims the fog saved the Hurricanes from a humiliating thrashing.

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.

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

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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 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.