Crusaders are back on top

In the first match of the weekend that went according to bookmakers' predictions, the Crusaders edged the Blues 26-21 in Auckland on Saturday.

The teams scored two tries each, but the boot of flyhalf Richie Mo'unga ensured the Crusaders overtook the Chiefs in first place on the standings.

With the competition going into recess after this weekend for the June Test window the Crusaders move to 45 points, three more than the Chiefs – who lost 25-45 to the Waratahs on Friday.

The Crusaders and Chiefs clash in Fiji when the competition resumes on July 1 in a match that could ultimately decide the regular season.

In a stormy Auckland the Crusaders had difficulty breaking down a dogged Blues defence and were far from convincing in the way they eventually overcame the home side.

Flyhalf Richie Mo'unga contributed considerably to the victory with 16 points from the boot, and Nemani Nadolo, back from a four-week suspension, kept the Blues scrambling with his rampaging runs down the left wing.

But despite the Crusaders having a wealth of possession they only scored two tries as the Blues defence led by Kara Pryor, in his first start, Jerome Kaino and Patrick Tuipulotu shut down a constant wave of attacks.

By making the most of their limited chances, the Blues led 15-10 at half-time but they were unable to hang on as the Crusaders eventually found an extra gear in the second half.

"It took a lot of guts and character from the lads and to be able to control that second half into the wind showed a full team effort," said captain Kieran Read.

It was a disappointing outcome for Blues skipper James Parsons who left the field with a head knock soon after the break and watched from the sidelines as a possible boilover slipped away.

"Unfortunately it's the story of our season. We haven't been able to put a full 80 performance together. We knew if we could bring (defensive) intensity early we would give ourselves a sniff but it was not enough."

The brute force of Nadolo, teaming up with fullback Israel Dagg made life a nightmare for the Blues in the first quarter and it was only a matter of time before Nadolo scored the first try.

But for the remainder of the first half the Blues defence proved impenetrable and a try and penalty to Ihaia West put the Blues in front 8-7.

The Crusaders briefly regained the lead with a Mo'unga penalty before the Blues struck back with a try to George Moala.

The Blues defence continued to hold at the start of the second half when the Crusaders turned a penalty into a line-out drive only for Blues lock Josh Bekhuis to win the line-out.

Mo'unga and West traded penalties and it took until the 61st minute for the Crusaders to regain the lead when Kieron Fonotia finally unlocked the Blues defence and sent Andy Ellis over for the try.

Mo'unga landed the conversion and two more penalties as the Crusaders finished strongly before a Piers Francis penalty on full-time secured a bonus point for the Blues.

Man of the match: Steven Luatua and Jerome Kaino were good value in the physicality stakes, while Ihaia West probably had his best game of the season for the Blues. George Moala and Nemani Nadolo asked some serious questions of the Blues' defence. Kieran Read, as you have come to expect, put his body on the line and made some clever decisions as captain. However, our award goes to Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo'unga – who is one of the most improved players of the season and a key figure in the Crusaders' match to the top of the standings.

The scorers:

For the Blues:

Tries: West, Moala

Con: West

Pens: West 3

For the Crusaders:

Tries: Nadolo, Ellis

Cons: Mo'unga 2

Pens: Mo'unga 4

Teams:

Blues: 15 Melani Nanai, 14 Matt Duffie, 13 George Moala, 12 Piers Francis, 11 Tevita Li, 10 Ihaia West, 9 Billy Guyton, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Kara Pryor, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Josh Bekhuis, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 James Parsons (captain), 1 Sam Prattley.

Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Sione Mafileo, 19 Hoani Matenga, 20 Jack Ram, 21 Bryn Hall, 22 Male Sa'u, 23 Lolagi Visinia.

Crusaders: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Johnny McNicholl, 13 Kieron Fonotia, 12 Ryan Crotty, 11 Nemani Nadolo, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 Jordan Taufua, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.

Replacements: 16 Ged Robinson, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Mike Alaalatoa, 19 Jimmy Tupou, 20 Tim Boys, 21 Andy Ellis, 22 David Havili, 23 Marty McKenzie.

Referee: Angus Gardner

Assistant referees: Paul Williams, Brendon Pickerill

TMO: Glenn Newman