Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders edges Blues; Hurricanes gather winning momentum

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Christchurch-based Crusers scored a single try in each half to beat Auckland-based Blues 15-3 in a pivotal match in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday.

match between fourth-placed Blues and fifth-placed Crusers was much-anticipated and watched by a capacity crowd of 17,000 in Christchurch. But while it was physically intense, it provided little in terms of excitement.

Crusers hogged possession, especially in first half when few shreds Blues obtained, usually in ir own half, were wastefully kicked away by flyhalf Beauden Barrett.

Possession evened out to about 60-40 in favor of Crusers during second half but y retained vantage in terms of territory and Blues weren’t able to marshal a coherent attack.

Blues’ defense mostly was rigid, especially in a 20-minute period in second half when ir captain Dalton Papali’i was red-carded for a high tackle on Crusers flyhalf Richie Mo'unga. y didn’t concede a point in that period. But y missed around 25 tackles overall and that was crucial as Crusers punched through midfield with big ball-carrying forwards.

Crusers in turn didn’t have much to defend against. Blues me only two visits to ir 22 all match and any nascent attacks from furr out were quickly shut down. Barrett set in motion an end-to-end kick and chase late in match but it was shut down on goal line by Crusers fullback Will Jordan.

“ game was won with out defense,” Crusers captain Scott Barrett said. “To hold m to three points was a huge testament. At times it was a bit ugly and we didn’t fire too many shots. But I think we closed down ir game and a lot of ir firepower didn’t get into game.”

Thirty minutes passed before first points came with a try to Crusers backrower Quinten Strange. Beauden Barrett kicked a penalty and Mo’unga anor and that ended first-half scoring.

In third minute of second half, winger Leicester Fainga’anuku finished a long-distance try from a wayward Blues’ kick. next 37 minutes were scoreless.

“re was plenty of defense out re tonight and some sore bodies,” Blues captain Beauden Barrett said. “y just took ir opportunities. re weren’t many in that game. When we sped ball up in second half we started to see some opportunities through middle. But we weren’t good enough to execute and finish.”

scoring action came in Wellington where Hurricanes scored ir first try inside two minutes and ded 10 more in a record 71-22 win over Moana Pasifika, ir eighth win from 11 matches. Hurricanes posted ir highest score in a Super Rugby match, bouncing back from last week’s shock loss to Fijian Drua.

Three of those tries went to captain Ardie Savea, whose tireless ball carrying kept Hurricanes on front foot.

“I’m proud of boys’ effort tonight,” Savea said. “We knew what Moana would bring. I’m just happy boys bounced back after last week and produced a good performance in front of our fans.”

Moana Pasifika also h a try inside five minutes and were competitive at first in a match that produced saw 48 first-half points. Hurricanes led 29-19 at halftime n outscored Moana Pasifika 42-3 in second spell, ding six tries including Savea’s hat trick.

scrum was a weapon for Hurricanes in first half and in second ir fast passing and offloing ability was too much for Moana Pasifika.

Kini Naholo scored two tries and Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett and Aidan Morgan also touched down for Hurricanes in first half. Jacob Devery, Salesi Rayasi and Caleb Delaney ded to Savea’s three tries in second half.

most spectacular might have been Rayasi’s try. last pass came from Morgan who tried to hurdle two defenders under posts and was suspended in mid-air when winger scored.