Will Jordan yesterday scored two tries as the Canterbury Crusaders recovered from an early deficit to edge reigning champions the Auckland Blues 21-14 and reach a 17th Super Rugby final in a match of rare intensity.
The Blues hammered away at the home try-line for more than six minutes after the hooter looking for a converted try to force overtime, but came away empty-handed as the Crusaders’ defense held firm and kept them on track for a 13th title.
A try from Tom Christie set the Crusaders on their way as they fought back from 14-0 down in the 21st minute to guarantee a return to their home fortress next week to face the Waikato Chiefs or ACT Brumbies.
Photo: AFP
Neither the Chiefs nor Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final today, would relish a trip to Christchurch, where the Crusaders are now unbeaten in 31 playoff matches over the three decades of Super Rugby.
“The Blues seriously hit us. Hell of a side. They were the champions and showed that tonight. We just managed to hold out,” All Blacks fullback Jordan said. “We knew the Blues weren’t going to come down here and give it to us easy. It’s finals footy, you find yourself in a bit of adversity and that’s where you just try to take a step forward and embrace it.”
The Blues made it clear that they would be looking to play an expansive game from the third minute when Beauden Barrett fired a cross-kick over to Caleb Clarke on the left wing.
The Crusaders snuffed out the danger that time, but the visitors soon silenced the crowd when a raking A.J. Ram kick resulted in a 5m scrum and winger Mark Tele’a dived over for the opening try.
The hosts were reduced to 14 when Braydon Ennor was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle and center Rieko Ioane went over under the posts to double the lead with a second try for the Blues.
The Crusaders cut the deficit soon after being returned to a full complement when flanker Christie forced his way over from close range after a series of his teammates had been repelled.
Blues prop Joshua Fusitu’a was sent to the sin bin for a high tackle on All Blacks captain Scott Barrett three minutes later and the crowd was back to full voice just before halftime when Jordan crossed for a converted try to level the scores.
The Blues spurned a straightforward shot at goal from a 51st-minute penalty before knocking on from the tap and being pinged by the referee at the resultant scrum.
The Crusaders then laid siege to the Blues’ line, turning down several potential shots at goal in favor of kicks to touch before Jordan played tight forward to finally force the ball over the line with 10 minutes left on the clock.
Flyhalf Rivez Reihana slotted his third conversion to take the lead out to 21-14 and the visitors’ woes deepened when No. 8 Hoskins Sotutu was sent to the sin bin minutes later.
“Very tough. We started very well, we were able to play our game, then sort of let them back in and they were able to capitalize,” Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said. “We showed a lot of courage in that last eight minutes, but it just wasn’t enough today.”
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