Crusaders put on rugby masterclass at Eden Park to claim 11th Super Rugby title

The Crusaders have put on a rugby masterclass to beat the Blues 21-7 at Eden Park and claim their 11th Super Rugby title.

With a sold out crowd at Eden Park, over 45,000 fans came to see a heated contest between the top two teams of the year but what they got was total domination from the Crusaders.

The men from Christchurch dominated the possession and territory in the first half with Richie Mo'unga kicking a drop goal and a penalty to give them a 6-0 lead.

Veteran lock Sam Whitelock and Cullen Grace put on a clinic as the Blues failed to retain possession from their own lineouts throughout the match.

With the Blues struggling to find momentum, things went from bad to worse when halfback Bryn Hall scored from close range in what was his last match for the Crusaders.

Mo'unga converted the try as the Crusaders led 13-0 at the break.

It was also the first time since 2015 that the Blues were held scoreless in a half of rugby.

The Crusaders continued their dominance at the start of the second half as Mo'unga kicked another penalty to extend the lead to 16-0.

The Blues looked dead and buried before halfback Finlay Christie crossed over in the 60th minute to give some hope to the home side.

Stephen Perofeta kicked the conversion to make it 16-7.

However it was not enough as Sevu Reece scored his 10th try of the season in the 75th minute to seal the win.

This was the Crusaders 4th Super Rugby win in a row as the competition did not take place in its original format in 2020 and 2021.

80+1' SEVU REECE BOOTS IT INTO TOUCH, THE CRUSADERS ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

80' Sotutu does well to sneak it out the boot, before the Blues looked to go to work. They failed to find any ground, but a penalty on the 10m line was some relief. They tap and go.

79' The scrum goes straight fown, so we will set it again.

78' It's messy off the kick-off, and in the end it is deemed to be a Crusaders knock on. Blues scrum on the 10m line.

77' Mo'unga just leaves it out to the right.

76' IT'S A RED BATH, A BLOODBATH, THE CRUSADERS HAVE WON ANOTHER GRAND FINAL! The lineout was messy over the back, with Vikena on hand to claim, but he slipped over as the Crusaders settled past the 10m line. The two sides traded kicks, before the Blues looked to settle just short of the 10m line. Tu'ungfasi made a meal of it, allowing the Crusaders to pillage a turnover! They quickly bounced right, with Matera pinning it towards the right corner! Nock failed to mop up at the back, and Reece was on hand, scooping up and scoring!

7-21 S. Reece

74' Lam flies into the 22 on the cart, before Ioane and Tu'ungafasi had a go. The forwards continued to bash away, before Tom Christie got to the breakdown first, getting in and over the ball to win the penalty!

72' Another steal at the lineout for the Crusaders, but it matters little as Drummond failed to mop up, spilling under pressure. Blues scrum 30m from the line.

71' Barrett works at first receiver, punching a couple of times. He eventually went to chip to the 10m line, with Mo'unga claiming before being smashed to touch on his own 10m line!

70' Matera works some slight hands for Jordan, finding Reece flying down the right edge. he linked it well with Ennor, but it came free as the Blues looked to turn over, before Reece played it on the ground! Barrett finds touch on the 10m line.

69' It is messy in the boot, and it spits away for Christie to hack it up the middle! Mo'unga recovered well inside the 22 though, kicking it back to the 10m line with the outside of his foot. The Blues looked to come again, but the defence held before it was knocked on! Newell scooped on it, driving to halfway with big numbers right!

68' Patient play from the Crusaders, before Mo'unga went to the heavens. Perofeta claimed well though, wheeling around the corner to the 10m line. The Blues phased infield, but Romano knocked on!

67' Mo'unga fails to find the distance! It was on target, but it just held up short allowing Barrett to pump it away past halfway. Fainga'anuku carries into contact on the 10m line.

65' THAT'S A STATEMENT! Huge scrum against the head, as two All Black props get destroyed! Penalty goes the Crusaders way, so Mo'unga will go for three.

64' The scrum is not stable and drops straight away, so we will set it again.

63' And now a free-kick at the lineout! The momentum is with the Blues as they call a scrum.

62' THE CROWD IS WELL AND TRULY ALIVE! The men in red and black looked to work it down the left edge, before switching back to the right. Grace beat the game line with a good run, before the cleaners came from the side! Barrett finds touch north of the 10m line.

61' After a few phases Perofeta exits long, with Jordan returning the favour. Perofeta stepped him though, jinking on a clever run to the 10m line, but Whitelock turned it over!

60' Perofeta slides over the extra two.

59' ZERO TO HERO, CHRISTIE COMES UP CLUTCH! He spoiled Grace in the boot, forcing him to knock it on! He scooped on it, staying on his feet before diving over to the left of the sticks!

5-16 F. Christie Try

59' Into the 22 go the home side, phasing with real numbers. It was direct as Barrett slipped into the 22, working some good phases, before Christie knocked it on! Crusaders scrum just ahead of the 5m line.

58' Mo'unga smashes it long, going from 22 to 22. Perofeta settled it inside, setting it up for his side to run! Papalii spotted a gap on the right edge, flying into the backfield! He stepped past the 10m line, as the pack continued to flood in support. They found a penalty for offside, and Barrett has gone quickly!

56' The two sides trade kicks off the scrum, with Jordan sending a towaring one to test Perofeta. He worked it for Lam who had his kick charged! it was only glancing though, straight for Sotutu on the run on the 10m line! He linked well, as the home side flew into the 22, but Barrett has pinched it!

55' The Blues spill the lineout again! It was messy in the middle, but it was deemed they knocked it forwards first. Crusaders scrum 30m off their own line.

54' Patient attack from the Blues, trying to bash it flat. Barrett eventually worked it to the short side, but it was spilt by Heem! Mo'unga flew up the touchline, grubbering past halfway for Reece! He couldn't quite keep it as he surged past Heem, but a push off the ball meant it was a penalty for the Blues! Barrett finds touch 30m from the line.

53' More relief for the Blues, as Reeve gives away a soft penalty for hands in the ruck down the left edge. Barrett finds touch just inside the Crusaders half.

52' Some respite for the Blues! Mo'unga spilt in contact as he looked to card to the line into the 22, allowing them a scrum just outside. The Blues need to find something quickly.

50' Good defence from the Blues! The Crusaders looked to the rolling maul, but it came unstuck so they peeled away. They worked it tight as they phased, remaining very patient, as Barrett was driven over the line! He was held up though, so it will be a line dropout.

48' IT'S ALL GOING WRONG FOR THE BLUES! The communication was all off at the lineout, as Taylor scooted away with it at the back. He carried over halfway, before Hall box kicked into the 22. Akira Ioane failed to mop it up, as Reece seized on it on the 5m line. Hall scooped it out spectacularly, allowing the red and blacks to flood towards the line. They couldn't find a way through though, but a penalty advantage meant it was not a major issue. Mo'unga pins it into the corner.

47' Hall works an exit off the first phase, finding touch just past the 10m line.

46' Mo'unga drives it over from 10m right of the posts to see the advantage out past three scores.

0-16 R. Mo'unga Penalty

45' Grace steals it at the front of the lineout, allowing the red and blacks onto the attack again. They blasted towards the line, with plenty of numbers as they found an advantage just down the right. A grubber didn't set up a try, but a penalty goal will extend the lead to 16.

43' Havili goes long for Barrett, who slipped before clearing. This meant it was aimless down the middle, as Jordan flew back. The Crusaders switched it back left for Fainga'anuku who beat the line, before being dragged into touch on the 22m line.

42' Whitelock takes in the lineout, with the visitors mauling infield before Taylor worked down the blindside. He linked with Fainga'anuku past halfway, allowing the Crusaders to settle play.

41' Scott Barrett settles it well off the kickoff, allowing Hall to go to the box. He went slightly long with Perofeta flying into contact on the 10m line, allowing the Blues to punch into the red wall of defence. Ground was tough to come by though, before Papalii, on at the break with Sotutu off for an HIA, spilling into touch.

You might say the Blues have saved their worst for last. The home side has been played off the park, and has suffered the ignominy of being held scoreless in a half for the first time since 2015. They looked frazzled when in possession, though have tried hard without it, but the lineout is unforgivable. They have had five pinched, as Kurt Eklund floundered with his throws. Beauden Barrett needs to step up and drive his side forwards, but it seems as though this game is all but lost.

It was the Richie Mo'unga show in the first half, as he controlled all facets of the game behind his rolls royce pack. His tactical kicking was brilliant, whilst he kicking a drop goal and pulled on his running game where necessary. The pack was dominant, as George Bower linked the play with some deft hands. Whitelock was also superb, as was Barrett. It is hard to see them losing from here.

It's halftime in the Super Rugby Pacific final, and a crucial halftime five-pointer from Bryn Hall has firmly tipped the game in the visitor's favour. They were the better team throughout, destroying the Blues lineout which allowed them to hold territory. Sam Whitelock really stood up in that regard, as Kurt Eklund had a half to forget.

40+1' Mo'unga easily adds the extra two to send the Crusaders into halftime with a 13 point advantage!

40' HUGE MOMENT RIGHT ON HALF-TIME! The men in red and black remained patient, phasing towards the chalk as they found an advantage. Fainga'anuku worked a brilliant angle to smash past the 5m line. He was chopped centimetres away, as was Matera. It was third time lucky though, as Hall picked it up and quickly placed it past the chalk to the left of the sticks.

0-11 B. Hall

39' Good pick and go from the Crusaders, and they are right on the front foot. Patient play has them sitting 7m from the line...

38' Barrett takes the lineout, setting it down into a maul. They worked it nicely inside, allowing Mo'unga and Fainga'anuku to fly up the blindside to take play into the 22.

37' Attritional midfield footy from the Blues, working into a red wall of defence. RTS got them going forwards with an angled run down the right, but the Blues failed to capitalise, as Goodhue knocked on before Laulala played it on the ground! Mo'unga finds touch on the 10m line.

36' A much needed relieving penalty for the Blues, as the Crusaders come from the side in an attempted maul. Eklund pins it up to the attacking 10m line.

35' Eklund throws over the top from 35m out, finding RTS on the fly. He spilt though, with the Crusaders exploding it out to the opposite flank. They had big numbers, but failed to link up as advantage expired and Jordan threw into touch.

34' Sotutu comes up clutch! Eklund got the lineout all wrong again, as it was over all the jumpers for Bower! He was dragged to the 5m line, with numbers stacked out to the left! Sotutu was there though, winning a turnover penalty.

33' The Crusaders keep it fairly tight off the 22, working in and around halfway. Mo'unga slinked back into the pocket, working an angle to drive it across field into the 22. He sees it into touch 15m out from the line.

32' Mo'unga goes long, with Barrett looking to a surprise 50/22. Reece read it though, returning to the line before a chip was attempted. Christie had this one covered though, evading the winger nicely. He linked for Lam down the short-side, but he slipped and spilt on halfway.

31' Grace carries the kickoff outside the 22, forcing Hall to an infield box kick. It was messy, but Christie came away with it just on his side of halfway. After some hot potato, the Blues eventually settled for Barrett to go to the skies. Jordan claimed on the 10m line, setting it for his side.

30' Mo'unga slides it over from 40m out on the angle from the left touchline.

0-6 R. Mo'unga Penalty

28' The Blues phase infield, looking for an angle to box kick. It swerved infield, bouncing in openfield! Reece danced around before taking contact midway between the 10m line and halfway, setting it for Mo'unga to go to the air. He went high, with Havili able to claim on the 10m line! The Crusaders worked left but it was fairly scrappy as an advantage came. They came inside for Havili to work a delightful chip kick, with Mo'unga sliding through and claiming! They recycled quickly from 10m out, but Havili spilt as he breached the 5m line! Back for the penalty, where Mo'unga will go for three.

26' Christie spoils Grace at the back of the scrum, but he managed to get it away as Jordan ran the blindside. He put it on the toe, sliding it into touch just inside the 22.

24' Poor from the Blues! They looked to work a flat move, but it was well-read as Lam was forced out the back. The Blue became slow and lateral, as Perofeta spilt a wide ball. Crusaders scrum just ahead of halfway.

23' Scott Barrett works it from his own feet at the front, buying some handy metres to set up Hall for the box kick. He didn't get a lot of distance on it, as it became a scrappy competition in the air. In the end, it is deemed to be a knock-on by the Crusaders. Blues scrum just north of halfway.

22' Sotutu gets it at the front this time, forcing Choat to work down the blindside. Whitelock was on him quick as a flash, pinching the turnover penalty! Mo'unga finds touch just outside the 22.

22' Whitelock gets up and steals it two-handed, relieving the pressure. Mo'unga slams an exit just outside the 22.

21' THE EDEN PARK CROWD IS ALIVE! The Blues found a scrum advantage, flinging it out wide. The bounce pass beat Havili, giving them an overlap down the left. Barrett ended up getting it and kicked ahead, seeing it sit up in the corner! Reece was quickest there, knocking it over the sideline.

20' Off the top for Mo'unga go the Crusaders, allowing the playmaker to put up a high bomb. Barrett failed to come forward and take it as Jordan swept through, but he was deemed to have knocked it into another player. Blues scrum in the middle of their own half.

19' A bit of debate, but they feel the head contact was accidental and unavoidable, so we will resume with the halfway lineout for the Crusaders.

19' Upstairs checking more foul play, this time it is Goodhue for potential head on head contact.

19' Sotutu flings it out for Telea, who in-turn shovels for RTS to smash into contact just inside the 22. Christie went to the box kick, putting it right up the left touchline. Fainga'anuku made a meal of it on the line, but in the end the Crusaders take a lineout.

18' Common sense prevails! There was some head contact, but it was extremely low to the ground, so they will play on with not even a penalty. We will restart from a scrum just inside the 22.

18' Nepo Laulala could be in trouble here, they are going upstairs to check some foul play.

17' Fainga'anuku winds up from a second line dropout, taking play around 25m from the line. The Crusaders continued to bang towards the defensive line, but there was no route through as it was knocked on! The Blues looked for an advantage, but they didn't find any. Back for the scrum just inside the 22.

16' SWIFT PLAY FROM THE VISITORS! Jordan took it towards contact, meeting it around 30m out. The Crusaders had players in motion to the left though, working it nicely through the hands before Havili rolled a grubber. It rolled a touch long though, going in-goal for Chrisite to force.

16' THE BLUES SURVIVE! The away side banged towards the line, rolling phase after phase. It was direct running in and around the posts, and the Blues were scrambling. Eventually, Fainga'anuku banged towards the line, but there was no clear evidence to see whether he got it down! Line dropout for the Blues.

16' FAINGA'ANUKU THINKS HE HAS SCORED, BUT THEY ARE GOING UPSTAIRS TO SEE IF IT WAS HELD UP! Ben O'Keeffe does have no try though.

15' Brilliant from Havili! The lineout was stolen again, allowing a quick shift inside with nobody at home! Havili hooked a kick into the 22, rolling it out for a 50/22!

15' Good exit play from the Crusaders, phasing down the right channel before Hall cleared to touch just short of halfway.

14' FIRST BLOOD FOR THE CRUSADERS! Under an advantage for lifting the leg within a maul, the Crusaders worked to the pocket for Mo'unga to bang it over from 30m out in midfield.

0-3 R. Mo'unga

13' Sotutu winds away off an intentional overthrow, setting a good platform for Chrisite to exit. He finds touch around 30m away.

11' SO CLOSE TO THE OPENER! The Crusaders worked a quick lineout, bravely chucking it about. Grace straightened it nicely towards the 22, before Goodhue clean bumped his opposite in Rieko Ioane into the 22. They managed to work a good blind from that, with Fainga'anuku freeing it for Goodhue! He was well hit but found Taylor who was dragged down a metre away, sliding over the sideline in the wet conditions!

10' Robinson claims the lineout, with a potential maul sacked. Christie cleared with the box kick, finding touch only just outside the 22.

9' After some slow phases Perofeta went to the boot, bombing for Jordan. He took contact, before Mo'unga went long, trading kicks with Perofeta. Eventually, Jordan wound up again, helping his side over halfway. The Crusaders shifted across field for Reece, sliding a kick in behind, across field, but it rolled into touch just inside the 22.

8' Sotutu powers up over halfway, allowing the Blues to fire a blind to take play past the 10m line. Barrett then injected to buy some more metres, as the Blues continued to come in waves. They eventually went a bit deeper, but met some stiff defence from Goodhue, forcing them back past the 10m line.

7' Grace steals the lineout this time, though he batted it back towards the 22, forcing them to settle it from deep. Christie was well hit on the line, before it broke nicely fir Mo'unga on the right. He scythed through the line with a jink, flying into the backfield! He looked to link with Taylor on halfway, but he couldn't hold it. The Blues looked for an advantage, but Akira Ioane's inside ball was intercepted. Blues scrum on halfway.

6' Fainga'anuku works it flat off the lineout, before Matera was hammered in midfield. The Crusaders continued to work it to the right, but Jordan knocked on! Perofeta worked out the 22 down the left, getting his side over the advantage line, before the Crusaders were caught offside! Barrett finds touch on the attacking 10m line.

5' Sotutu swerves out the boot, setting play on the 5m line. Christie worked a nice angle, hooking into touch just outside the 22.

3' NEARLY AN OPENING TRY! The lineout was all sorts of messy, as Bower knocked it back to the Crusaders side! They immediately shovelled to the left flank, with Fainga'anuku looming large. He was well covered by three players, but managed to free it loose back on the inside. Goodhue looked to slide it over, but lost control! Blues scrum on the 5m line.

3' The Crusaders work down the right-hand short-side, working a slight overlap. Reece and Fainga'anuku linked well, but the big left-winger was dragged over the sideline. Blues lineout 15m off their own line.

2' Grace takes the lineout in, allowing the Crusaders to work the rolling maul. They reumbled a good 10m, before working to the phase play to take it up into the 22 from a good Havili bust. They had players flowing forwards, but a Mo'unga grubber was well blocked, forcing them to settle right on the 22m line.

1' Perofeta claims the kickoff deep inside the 22, clearing straight out the hand. It is a a fair exit as well, finding touch on the 10m line.

The anthem has been sung, the stage is set, this is going to be a belter. So many stats, but ultimately the game is played on the field. Ben O'Keeffe is the man with the whistle, Richie Mo'unga will kick us off!

Here we go! The two sides are on the park in front of a packed-out Eden Park. It is a big occasion, so before we get underway we will have the New Zealand national anthem.

They say everything is more dramatic in the rain, so it is fitting that it is bucketing it down onto Eden Park. It is going to be a scrappy game, so it will be interesting to see who can control possession the best. The final is not far away at all!

It isn't often that the Crusaders take the underdog, but tonight they probably do. At times this season they have really looked like normal side, including several poor efforts in the middle of the season. They have slowly started to hit their straps again, and with a largely fit side, they will be tough to beat. Richie Mo'unga will look to steer the ship, and he will need to do a good job of keeping it afloat in some unpleasant, wet conditions. Their brick wall defence was the backbone of the victory last week, but they will need more than that today against a lethal Blues backline. Sam Whitelock adds a huge bit of experience, which will be crucial in the clutch. The champions side will back themselves no doubt, but can they get the job done?

Match starts at 7:05PM

THE TEAMS

Crusaders: Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Jack Goodhue, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Bryn Hall, Cullen Grace, Tom Christie, Pablo Matera, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Quinten Strange, Corey Kellow, Mitch Drummond, Braydon Ennor, George Bridge.

Blues: Stephen Perofeta, AJ Lam, Rieko Ioane, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Mark Telea, Beauden Barrett (c), Finlay Christie, Hoskins Sotutu, Adrian Choat, Akira Ioane, Tom Robinson, Josh Goodhue, Nepo Laulala, Kurt Eklund, Alex Hodgman. Reserves: Soane Vikena, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Luke Romano, Dalton Papalii/James Tucker, Sam Nock, Bryce Heem, Zarn Sullivan.

The Blues have had a wonderful season, but the job isn't done yet. They have ridden their luck at times, but they meet the cliches of a champion side, winning all the close ones (barring their first-round aberration against the Hurricanes.) Tonight they will meet their toughest yet, as they search to beat the Crusaders for the second time this season. Having Dalton Papalii fit and ready to come on off the bench could be massive at the end, but it is the starting skipper that is the key - Beauden Barrett. The 101 cap All Black has been the key driver of their turnaround, with his ability to take the ball to the line unmatched. The platform will need to be laid up front though, so look for Nepo Laulala to make a statement.