Eden Park plays host to a dream Super Rugby final as the Blues take on the Crusaders in what promises to be an absolute belter. Darry Worthington previews.
Some things just seem to stay the same. While Super Rugby was given yet another makeover this year, the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific final has a very familiar feel to it with two of the most successful side in the competition’s history, the Crusaders, traveling to Eden Park to take on a Blues side that also has a few Super Rugby titles tucked away in their trophy cabinet.
Which of these New Zealand powerhouses will add another title to their trophy haul?
Blues v Crusaders
Saturday 18 June
Eden Park
09:05
To Win Match (80 Mins)
Blues 92/100 | Draw 20/1 | Crusaders 92/100
The Blues’ renaissance has continued this season with Leon MacDonald’s men dominating the round-robin phase with 13 wins from their 14 fixtures. Their only loss came on the opening weekend of the tournament where they were pipped 32-33 by the Hurricanes.
Having completed a near-flawless run to the semis, the Blues were given a massive scare by the brumbies who they just managed to beat 20-19 last Saturday.
In a very nervy semi-final encounter, the Blues were unable to build on a solid half-time lead and this along with ill-discipline – they received two yellow cards in the second half – almost cost them dearly as the Bumbies stormed back into the game.
A late charge down by prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi on Noah Lolesio’s rushed drop goal attempt ensured the Blues would sneak into the final by the skin of their teeth.
The Crusaders, meanwhile, won their semi-final encounter by a much more comfortable margin although they were also given a real test from the Chiefs.
Had a few more of the Chiefs passes gone to hand then the Crusaders may well have been watching this one from the comfort of their living rooms. Credit where credit is due, however, the Crusaders were absolutely monstrous on defence as they repelled wave after wave of Chiefs attacks during the final salvos of their semi-final clash.
Verdict: Blues 92/100
This should be a cracker of a game with the battle between All Black pivots Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga worth the entrance price alone. I reckon the Blues will take this one by a very narrow margin.
