No one beats the Crusaders at home in a final. Thirty-one straight and climbing. Next up? A home final, with the winner of the Chiefs and Brumbies to travel to Christchurch for the 2025 Super Rugby title.
Despite trailing 0-14 midway through the first half and being forced to defend their line for 38 phases deep into the 88th minute, Rob Penney’s Crusaders won a cliff-hanger at home to win the battle of the New Zealand’s Islands.
Brilliant All Blacks fullback Will Jordan was the hero for the Crusaders, scoring in both halves, including diving in from close range to score what proved to be the match-winning try in the 70th minute.
Sevu Reece reacts during the Crusaders’ win over the Blues in Christchurch. (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
In a wild and physical New Zealand derby, it was ultimately the Blues’ ill-discipline that killed them.
As well as being smashed at the scrum, Hoskins Sotutu was the main culprit.
The star No.8 gave away a reckless and stupid penalty moments after the Blues won a scrum feed in the 64th minute.
After James Doleman awarded the Blues a scrum following a general phase maul, Sotutu came in needlessly and dropped a shoulder into Ethan Blackadder.
Soon after, following several penalties, Jordan scored.
Minutes later Sotutu was shown a yellow card for an unfortunate, though reckless, high shot on Chay Fihaki. Although the Crusaders winger stepped back on the inside late, Sotutu came in upright like a bullet and made head contact. Doleman had no choice but to show the back-rower a card.
The Blues would get one final opportunity to roll forward in search of a match-levelling converted try, but the Crusaders’ resilience won out.
