Effective at the set piece and went close to scoring after bursting away from the maul early in the second half.
3. Fletcher Newell – 5
As usual, a rock-solid scrum presence for the Crusaders.
4. Antonio Shalfoon – 5
Typical workmanlike effort. Lost ball in contact once. Overshadowed by locking partner.
5. Jamie Hannah – 8
Busy performance at the lineout, restarts and around the park that was rewarded with an on-the-spot try. Bagged one second-half lineout steal.
6. Ethan Blackadder – 6
His defensive work rate can never be questioned, but Blackadder lacks impact with ball in hand.
7. Leicester Fainga’anuku – 9
On fire. In everything again. Thriving with his licence to roam. Busting the line, showcasing his array of skills, pushing his unique utility value for new All Blacks coach Dave Rennie to harness.
Held up once over the line. Set up three tries – the first for Bower at the front of the lineout; the second from a midfield chip kick for Hannah.
The second most carries and turnovers in the competition this season. Shifted from openside to the midfield after McLeod’s exit.
What can’t he do?
8. Christian Lio‑Willie – 8
Consistently thrust the Crusaders on the front foot with notable carries.
9. Noah Hotham – 5
Deputy in waiting for Cam Roigard but outshone on this occasion by Kyle Preston’s impact.
10. Rivez Reihana – 7
Left the opening kickoff short but warmed into his work. Well taken try selling the dummy early in the second spell and another flick pass to spark Sevu Reece’s strike. Offers more control than Taha Kemara.
11. Macca Springer – 5
Should have put the boot away and backed himself more in open space early but competed in the air and carried well down the left-hand edge for Preston’s try.
12. David Havili (c) – 5
Spilled an early Reihana short ball and was largely used in a distribution role elsewhere. Stripped the ball from Blues flanker Anton Segner with the Blues hot on attack to spark a breakout.
13. Dallas McLeod – 3
Departed in the first half with injury.
14. Sevu Reece – 5
Scuffle with Zarn Sullivan, one dropped pass but a decisive second-half finish pouncing on a pinpoint Fainga’anuku grubber.
15. Johnny McNicholl – 4
Keeping the jersey warm for Will Jordan’s return next week.
Bench
16. George Bell – 6
Great decision-making in the lead-up to halfback Kyle Preston’s try. Highly involved with ball in hand off the pine to continue his strong season. Cashed in with the final try.
17. Jack Sexton – 4
Late yellow card for cynical infringement on his line.
18. Seb Calder – 4
Limited late impact.
19. Tahlor Cahill – 4
Injected late in the piece.
20. Dom Gardiner – 4
Played the second half without featuring prominently.
21. Kyle Preston – 6
Knows his way to the tryline. Scored with his second touch off the bench after a breakout from his forward pack. Brought down Blues winger Caleb Clarke with the line begging. High-energy impact.
22. Cooper Grant – 4
Valuable, albeit brief, experience off the bench for the young playmaker. Missed final conversion.
23. Kurtis MacDonald – 3
Copped a red card – and likely a spell on the sidelines – for a dangerous, clumsy aerial challenge on Blues first-five Stephen Perofeta.
Blues
1. Ofa Tu’ungafasi – 5
Solid at the scrum. Limited impact elsewhere before departing at halftime.
2. Bradley Slater (vc) – 5
Not on his shoulders alone but a secure lineout started to wobble in the second spell.
3. Sam Matenga – 5
Rookie prop held his own in the front row.
4. Patrick Tuipulotu (c) – 6
Led from the front with ball in hand but dropped one pass with the Blues attempting to push into the Crusaders half.
5. Sam Darry – 7
Largely enjoyed his homecoming with a highly involved performance.
6. Malachi Wrampling – 6
Earned a telling breakdown penalty defending the goal line with the Blues on the ropes. Carried well at times.
7. Dalton Papali’i – 4
Lasted 11 minutes before departing after a blow to the jaw in a big loss for the Blues.
8. Hoskins Sotutu – 6
Fell off one attempted tackle on Fainga’anuku. Worked hard with ball in hand. Barged over from close range late to spark hope of a comeback.
9. Sam Nock – 6
Endured a difficult start with the Blues pack on the back foot. Spilled Faingaʻanuku chip kick that led to the Crusaders’ second strike but snipped round the corner to claim the Blues’ second try and, with it, the lead just before the break. Stopped Taylor from scoring.
10. Stephen Perofeta – 5
Mixed bag. Hooked his first conversion and was then timed out by the shot clock on his second attempt. Popped one nice chip in behind the Crusaders’ defence, but skied another kick out on the full. Delivered the offload assist for Lam’s try. Step back from last week’s start.
11. Caleb Clarke – 6
Rarely utilised on attack. Ran down McNicholl to make a try-saving tackle that briefly kept the Blues’ hopes alive. Late breakout to set up Sotutu try.
12. Pita Ahki – 6
Composed presence in the midfield.
13. AJ Lam – 7
Finished a much-needed counterattack try, running 60 metres and keeping defenders guessing with the ball in two hands. Strong with ball in hand at other times too.
14. Kade Banks – 4
Like Clarke, hardly sighted with ball in hand.
15. Zarn Sullivan – 5
Savouring one of his best campaigns for the Blues, but this was not his best performance of the season. Replaced by Beauden Barrett early in second half.
Bench
16. James Mullan – 4
Contributed to the Blues’ deteriorating lineout.
17. Mason Tupaea – 5
Injected at halftime and threw himself into defensive duties.
18. Flyn Yates – 4
Difficult to alter a largely backpedalling pack.
19. Laghlan McWhannell – 4
Conceded one late penalty for obstruction while the Blues were chasing the game in possession.
20. Anton Segner – 5
Called on early to replace Papali’i. Can’t knock his commitment but not the same impact as he’s consistently delivered this year.
21. Finlay Christie – 4
Always up against it with the Blues chasing the game.
22. Beauden Barrett – 5
No repeat of his late heroics off the bench for the All Blacks in this 31-minute stint.
23. Xavi Taele – 4
Blues on the back foot by the time he came on.
