ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

Huge upset in Super Rugby final

BY Jack Tunney  ·  Saturday Jun 18, 2022

The Auckland Blues have had their finest season in recent history. After a few years in the wilderness, the Blues topped the table ahead of fellow New Zealand sides; The Crusaders and The Hurricanes as well as Australian outfit the Brumbies.

ADVERTISEMENT

All of these sides made up the top 4 of the league, and incidentally, all 4 made it into the semi-finals of the playoffs after some truly entertaining games against the rest of the top 8.

After seeing off both The Brumbies and The Hurricanes in the semis, it was the old rivalry of The Blues Vs The Crusaders at Eden Park in Auckland.

After a dominant season from the Auckland Blues, they had every right to walk into this final with their heads held high. They were pushed hard in the semi-final against The Brumbies, but squeezed out a result, thus proving they could see out games in high-pressure situations.

The Blues were on a 15-game win streak before this final, so there was no doubt they were feeling confident.

The issue is that the side they were facing is not one to be taken for granted. Christchurch-based side, The Crusaders, are the most successful side in the Pacific-region competition. With their lineup featuring a huge number of All-Black players, it was certainly the Blues’ toughest challenge this season.

The conditions were poor. The wind and the rain caused havoc at the Blues set-piece. Botching line out after line out, the Blues never got into the game in the first half.

ADVERTISEMENT

Richie Mo’unga kept the Crusaders ticking along with his boot, always keeping the Blues on the back foot.

The Crusaders saw themselves to a comfortable and well-deserved 0-13 lead at halftime.

The Blues fought themselves back in the game in the 59th minute, after scrum-half Finlay Christie went over to bring the scores back to within 6 points once converted.

It was not to be however, with Sevu Reece scoring his second try of the game with 4 minutes remaining to take the game beyond the Blues’ reach, and place the title in The Crusaders’ hands.

ADVERTISEMENT

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by SuperRugbyPacific (@superrugby)

The final result was:

Blues 7-21 Crusaders

A regular fan at the game gave us his thoughts about the atmosphere at Eden Park:

“Atmosphere was great till halfway through the second half, then hope ran dry”

Blues captain, Beauden Barrett, understandably disappointed had the following to say:

“It’s really disappointing. We had a good season, we wanted to come here and do a job here tonight. It’s a tough one to swallow,”

A difficult one for Blues fans to take after such a promising season.

Related Articles

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    World Cup winner to return after year long...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby league golden boot star set for huge...

  • 57 WEEKS AGO

    Hurricanes miss the memo as New Zealand clubs...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 3 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 98 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 1 DAY AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 4 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All