The Blues’ season has hit rock bottom as they succumbed to yet another defeat, this time a heavy 42-19 loss against their storied rivals, the Crusaders, in a Super Rugby Pacific clash held at Eden Park in Auckland on March 22, 2025. The match showcased a clinical performance from the Crusaders, who sent a strong message to the competition with their decisive victory.
Despite a promising start where Dalton Papali’i scored within the first three minutes, the Blues quickly found themselves on the back foot. Papali’i’s try, set up by a slick offload from James Mullan, ignited hopes among the home crowd. However, it was short-lived as the Crusaders responded with relentless pressure. Kyle Preston, capitalizing on a close-range opportunity, crossed over to even the score at 7-7.
From that point, the Crusaders established a stronghold on the game, dominating possession and territory. Chay Fihaki, who was a standout performer, split the defense to score the first of his two tries, placing the Crusaders in a commanding position. By halftime, the visitors had secured a 20-7 lead, highlighted by a try from Tamaiti Williams, who bulldozed through a weakened Blues defense.
Things deteriorated further for the Blues early in the second half. Just 40 seconds after the restart, Fihaki completed his brace with a well-executed try in the corner, sending alarm bells ringing for the home team. The situation worsened when second-rower Laghlan McWhannell received a yellow card, leaving the Blues with ten men and further compounding their struggles.
Tom Christie extended the Crusaders’ lead to 30-7 after a successful rolling maul proved disastrous for the understrength Blues pack. As disarray reigned within the Blues ranks, coach Vern Cotter was left with little choice but to assess the flaws in their strategies. “There are no excuses,” Cotter stated post-match, clearly frustrated. “We’ve got to be much better than that. We seemed to unravel.”
Despite their challenges, the home side managed a couple of late tries. Marcel Renata found the try line while coming off the bench, adding some late consolation points. Finlay Christie, also a substitute, dotted down to bring the score to 42-19. However, it was mere gloss in a match that had already slipped from their grasp.
For the Crusaders, this victory marked their first away win since the 2023 Super Rugby final, and importantly, it showcased their resurgence after last year’s struggles. “Sound the alarm. The Blues’ title defense is officially teetering on the brink,” noted a sports analyst, capturing the dismay among Blues supporters. They have now endured five losses in their last six matches, equating to the worst start to a season since 2019 for the once-promising squad.
The enduring issue for the Blues has been their injury crisis. Notable players like All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu (ankle) and hooker Kurt Eklund (groin) were sidelined before the match, exacerbating their already struggling lineup. Cotter lamented the lack of experience in key moments, indicating that their combination of basic handling errors and poor discipline ultimately impacted their performance.
The defeat was stark, with the Blues struggling to regain any semblance of structure during the match. As the game wore on, they drained confidence rapidly and were unable to respond effectively against a Crusaders side that thrived on quick ruck ball and aggressive play.
Fihaki’s impressive performances stood out alongside several others from the Crusaders, including the robust defense orchestrated by hooker Ioane Moananu, who asserted dominance at the breakdown and contributed to multiple turnovers. The Crusaders were able to dissect the Blues’ game plan effectively, exploiting weaknesses and taking full advantage of turnovers.
This match leaves the Blues in a precarious position as they look ahead to their upcoming fixtures. The forthcoming bye week appears to come at an opportune moment, providing a chance for team regrouping and some injured players to return. With their next match against the Hurricanes, it's critical for the Blues to find their footing or risk being completely sidelined from playoff contention.
“We blew the card out on the front nine,” Cotter remarked, acknowledging the critical need for improvement as they glance towards the upcoming fixtures. Fans now anxiously hope that the Blues will recover before they face their next challenge, as the specter of eight losses looms large on the horizon.
Final score: Crusaders 42, Blues 19.
