Crusaders edge Blues to reach Super Rugby Pacific final
Will Jordan scored two tries as the Canterbury Crusaders recovered from an early deficit to edge reigning champions the Auckland Blues 21-14 to reach a 17th Super Rugby final.
In an intense clash at Christchurch Stadium on Friday, 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' defence 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 ACT Brumbies or the Waikato Chiefs.
Neither the Chiefs nor Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final on Saturday, will relish a trip to Christchurch, where the Crusaders are now unbeaten in 31 play-off matches over the three decades of Super Rugby.
The Blues made it clear they would be looking to play an expansive game from the third minute when Beauden Barrett fired a crosskick 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 AJ Ram kick resulted in a five-metre scrum and winger Mark Tele'a dived over in the corner for the opening try.
The home side were reduced to 14 men when Braydon Ennor was yellow-carded for a dangerous tackle, and centre 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 open-side flanker Christie forced his way over from close range after several 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 the break when Jordan crossed for a converted try to level the scores.
The Blues spurned a straight-forward 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 favour of kicks to touch, before Jordan played tight forward to finally force the ball over the line with 10 minutes left.
Flyhalf Rivez Reihana slotted his third conversion to take the lead out to 21-14, and the visitors' woes deepened when number eight Hoskins Sotutu was sent to the sin bin minutes later.
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The Advertiser
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