CRUSADERS HOLD FIRM IN CHRISTCHURCH

The Blues showed fight in Christchurch but were unable to claw back a second half deficit, falling 36-20 to the Crusaders at One NZ Stadium on Friday night.

After weathering an early wave of pressure from the home side, the Blues produced some of their best attacking rugby of the night to briefly take the lead before halftime, highlighted by a stunning long-range effort from winger AJ Lam.

The Crusaders struck first through prop George Bower before adding a second through lock Jamie Hannah to open up a 12-3 advantage midway through the opening half.

But the Blues responded in style.

A turnover deep inside their own half sparked a counterattack, with Lam slicing through from nearly 70 metres out to ignite the visitors and cut the margin to two points.

The momentum stayed with the Blues heading into the break. A clever kick in behind forced the Crusaders onto their own line before halfback Sam Nock sniped over from close range, giving the Blues a 13-12 lead at halftime.

The Crusaders regained control early in the second spell and capitalised on several opportunities to extend their advantage despite the Blues continuing to threaten with ball in hand.

The visitors refused to go away, however, and kept pushing until the final whistle. Hoskins Sotutu powered over late after sustained pressure as the Blues looked to mount a comeback against a Crusaders side reduced to 13 men in the closing stages.

While the result was not the one the Blues were chasing, there were positive signs in attack, with Lam and Nock both impressing and the side continuing to create opportunities against one of the competition’s toughest opponents on the road.

The Blues now turn their attention to next week when they host the Hurricanes in their final home game of the regular season on Saturday night at Eden Park.

Blues 20: (Tries: Lam, Nock, Sotutu; Cons: Barrett; Pens: Perofeta)
Crusaders 36” (Tries: Bower, Hannah, Reihana, Reece, Bell, Preston; Cons: Reihana 3)
Referee: Angus Gardner