Crusaders 36
Blues 20
It’s unique that a rugby player will score a try for the All Blacks before they have one for their Super Rugby Pacific team.
That was where George Bower found himself coming into the Crusaders’ clash with the Blues at One New Zealand Stadium on Friday night.
But in his 100th Super Rugby appearance, the loosehead prop broke his duck, scoring the first try of the night as the Crusaders claimed a 36-20 win.
It was an important win for the Crusaders as they look to shore up their position in the playoff spots. With a bye next week, the Crusaders have two more assignments remaining this season, hosting the Chiefs and Hurricanes, the other two teams alongside the Blues in the top three spots on the ladder.
Against the Blues, both sides got off to horrible starts.
Crusaders first five-eighths Rivez Reihana left the ball well short from the kick off, offering the Blues the ball in a great position with a scrum on halfway.
Then Blues fullback Zarn Sullivan returned the favour, kicking the ball out on the full after the scrum.
The Crusaders eventually settled into their work and began to enjoy long periods in possession as they tested the Blues’ defence. The Blues kept the hosts at bay and, despite conceding penalties inside their own 22m consistently, were doing enough to keep the Crusaders out.
It was a penalty from the boot of Blues first five-eighths Stephen Perofeta that opened the scoring for the night, but the Crusaders eventually cashed in one of their opportunities.
It’s not often you’ll see a set play for the prop from an attacking lineout, but that looked to be the case as the ball was quickly distributed and openside flanker Leicester Fainga’anuku tipped it on to the charging Bower. The prop showed a bit of footwork to get to the line for a try that had the whole team celebrating.
It was a night for Crusaders forwards who previously didn’t have a try, with lock Jamie Hannah getting his 10 minutes later, scooping up a loose ball and striding to score after Blues halfback Sam Nock failed to clean up a Fainga’anuku chip kick.
Fainga’anuku was again a presence in all areas as he put boot to ball, was involved in the attack and got stuck in at the breakdown to snatch a few turnovers.
But just as it looked like the Crusaders were kicking into gear, a terrific solo effort from AJ Lam after a Crusaders knock on in the Blues’ 22 helped the visitors close the gap. With a try to Nock just before halftime, the Blues took a one-point lead into the break.
The Crusaders came out of the break strong, reclaiming the lead through Reihana, who made the most of a scrambling Blues defensive line from close range.
Replacement halfback Kyle Preston pushed the hosts out further with a good effort from close range in the 51st minute but the Crusaders were destined to finish the game with a numbers disadvantage after outside back Kurtis MacDonald had his yellow card for dangerous contact upgraded to a red 67 minutes in, and prop Jack Sexton was shown a late yellow card for a cynical infringement to slow down a Blues attack two minutes later.
While the Blues added another try through Hoskins Sotutu, a late score for replacement hooker George Bell sealed the win.
Crusaders 36 (George Bower, Jamie Hannah, Rivez Reihana, Kyle Preston, Sevu Reece, George Bell tries; Reihana 3 cons)
Blues 20 (AJ Lam, Sam Nock, Hoskins Sotutu tries; Stephen Perofeta pen, Beauden Barrett con)
HT: 12-13