The Crusaders continued their march towards what would be a 7th consecutive Super Rugby title with a commanding 52 – 15 victory over the Blues.
The fixture was a blowout from the off, as the Crusaders scored a try within the opening two minutes.
Crossing the line was All Blacks XV representative Braydon Ennor who gratefully received a precise long-range pass from flyhalf Richie Mo’unga.
The defending champions would go on to score four tries in the first half to lead 32 – 3, with the only Blues points coming via a Beauden Barrett penalty.
In addition to Ennor, Will Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, and Codie Taylor would all cross the whitewash.
A sublime performance from Will Jordan in the @SuperRugby semi-final today.
Ramos, Keenan and Jordan in no particular order are the top 3 fullbacks in the game today, in my opinion.
Different styles but all exceptional.#CRUvBLU #SuperRugbyPacific #WillJordan pic.twitter.com/Jpd8ybmxRf
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) June 16, 2023
Starting the second half with a bang, Fainga’anuku would score one of the individual tries of the season as he ripped through the Blues defence.
Taking the ball straight from a line-out, the giant winger broke the Blues defensive line with ease before bamboozling the chasing Blues defenders.
The try itself was one of those simply sublime individual moments but did highlight the gulf in quality between the two sides.
Consistent as ever, the Crusaders were on the mark with everything they did, whilst the Blues had one of their all too familiar down weeks.
Next up for the Crusaders will be the Chiefs or the Brumbies, who will meet tomorrow for semi-final two.
Quite the coup by @RCTofficiel to land Leicester Fainga’anuku before he has even hit his prime…
Yes, the Blues defence was abysmal but this was special from the big winger.#CRUvBLU #SuperRugbyPacific #LeicesterFaingaanuku pic.twitter.com/NEs9YBdIq9
— Philip Bendon (@PBendon) June 16, 2023
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