Rugby: Blues can spoil late Crusaders' finals run

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago. Photo / Getty Images

Only Blackadder’s side can progress but both teams can shape the final standings.

The Blues' finals hopes were dashed weeks ago but, presumably refreshed from their bye week, they still have an important role to play in terms of the final standings.

They will play the Crusaders, boosted by their dominant bonus point 35-18 victory over the Hurricanes in Nelson, at Eden Park on Saturday, and the week after host the Highlanders, who were superb in thrashing the Chiefs 36-9 in Invercargill.

Todd Blackadder's men, currently eighth, can still make the top six, but must beat both the Blues and Brumbies the week after in Canberra while hoping other results go their way.

It is foreign territory for the Crusaders, who have made the playoffs every year since 2001.

There was a ruthlessness in their performance at Trafalgar Park against the competition leaders which has been missing all year.

It might be a case of too little, too late, but another clinical victory over the struggling Blues will give them more hope, if nothing else.

Dan Carter, Nemani Nadolo, David Havili, Robbie Fruean and Nafi Tuitavaki shone, but they will take heart from the performance of their forwards, in particular, who strangled a Hurricanes pack which dismantled the Blues' weakened tight-five a week before.

Sir John Kirwan will be hoping Tony Woodcock has recovered from his shoulder injury which ruled him out of that match, and that Charlie Faumuina is over his neck problem, but Jerome Kaino, Steven Luatua and Patrick Tuipulotu are long-term absentees. With only loose forward Akira Ioane able to match the Hurricanes' physical intensity in their last match, and more wet weather forecast for Auckland, the Blues could be in for another tough night.

For the Crusaders, first-five Carter was a crucial presence in the absence of the injured Colin Slade but the red and blacks might again be without the concussed Kieran Read, Sam Whitelock and Ryan Crotty.

If Read is absent, Richie McCaw will again lead the Crusaders. Like Carter in the No10 jersey, McCaw looks most comfortable as skipper - for him the burden of leadership does not weigh heavily.

Out-muscled in their loss to the Waratahs in Sydney the week before, the Crusaders were desperate to earn some respect, not only from the Hurricanes, but also their supporters.

"I'm not writing us off, I still believe we've got a great opportunity," Blackadder said afterwards.

"We've got a bit of hunger there now and I thought tonight was a really pivotal game.

"We showed that we can dismantle the best team in the competition and that's how much of a fine line it is.

"I still believe we've got a team in the sheds that can go all the way and win it if we get the opportunity, we've just got to worry about next week."

Did you know?

• 2001 is the only year that the Super Rugby playoffs didn't include either the Blues or Crusaders.

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