In a commanding performance under the Saturday night lights, the Crusaders dismantled the Auckland Blues 42-19 at Eden Park in Round 6 of the Super Rugby Pacific season. The result leaves the defending champions winless at home in 2025, a concerning slide that hasn’t occurred since 2018.
The Blues made a fast start, with captain Dalton Papali’i diving over in just the third minute, converted by Xavi Taele to take a 7-0 lead. But that early spark quickly faded as the Crusaders took control of the match through superior set piece execution, tactical discipline, and clinical finishing.
Crusaders scrum-half Kyle Preston answered almost immediately with a try in the 10th minute. From there, the momentum swung decisively in the visitors’ favor. Winger Chay Fihaki dotted down twice—his first in the 12th minute and another just before halftime—while prop Tamaiti Williams muscled over in the 25th. The Crusaders went into the break up 23-7, having silenced the Eden Park crowd.
David Havili, in a standout performance, pulled the strings brilliantly at first receiver. A true triple threat, Havili blended sharp distribution, tenacious defence, and smart kicking to keep the Blues pinned in their own half. His assist for Fihaki’s first try was a testament to his vision and composure.
In the second half, the Crusaders didn’t let up. Flanker Tom Christie added a try from a rolling maul in the 51st minute, before Macca Springer crossed in the 63rd to extend the lead. The Blues managed to hit back through impact subs Marcel Renata and Finlay Christie, but the damage had long been done.
Post-match, Blues head coach Vern Cotter was frank in his assessment: “Our set pieces came apart. Errors dominated key parts of the game, and you can’t give a team like the Crusaders that kind of opportunity.”
He acknowledged the challenge of missing key players but took heart from the effort of the younger squad members: “I’m proud of the young boys. They stepped up tonight. We’ll take the bye as a chance to reset and regroup.”
The loss continues a worrying trend for the Blues, who have now dropped their first three home games of the 2025 season. With pressure mounting, the bye week offers a vital pause to reset their title defence.
For the Crusaders, the win is a statement—proof that their systems and depth remain among the most formidable in Super Rugby. They’ll take this momentum forward, while the Blues are left to search for answers.
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