Leicester Fainga'anuku scores in spectacular fashion against the Blues, at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch. Photo: www.photosport.nz / John Davidson
Opinion: It's hard to know what to make of the Crusaders' 15-3 win over the Blues in Christchurch.
One thing is for sure: it's an important result for the defending champions, who jump into the top four and will probably stay there with three games to go in the Super Rugby Pacific 2023 regular season.
While it's looking like an ominously familiar scenario of the Crusaders saving their best footy for when it really counts, there are a couple of question marks over what ended up being a very well managed win despite the low score.
The Blues forwards deserve credit for a very strong defensive effort in the first half hour, that saw the Crusaders take the ball to the Blues' five-metre line four times only to have the ball turned over and cleared.
But it did say a bit about the Crusaders' reliance on some rather predictable attack, with the intent to drive and keep the ball close to the ruck making it far easier than it should have been for the defenders to pounce and win relieving penalties.
Look back on Jamie Wall's blog of the match
The Crusaders also benefited from perhaps the worst refereeing decision of the season so far, and it'll take some beating. Leicester Fainga'anuku's try at the start of the second half was an excellent finish off some fantastic work by David Havili and Braydon Ennor, but the way it started was the bit that raised eyebrows for everyone not wearing a red and black patch over one of them.
While Dalton Papalii was rightfully sent from the field for a high shot on Richie Mo'unga, how referee Nic Berry and the TMO missed the massive knock on from Tamaiti Williams that followed is anyone's guess.
Did it cost the Blues the game? It's a long bow to draw considering Papalii's red did a fair amount of damage too and they simply couldn't hold onto the ball long enough to mount any substantial attacks, but it's not even the first time this season that the Crusaders have had shocking non-calls go their way while playing at home.
For his part, Fainga'anuku was outstanding. Linked this week with a move to big spending French club Toulon, the Crusaders wing/ midfielder reminded the All Black selectors just how poorly utilised he was last season in two test appearances.
On current form you'd think he should be getting some more, but the picture he is trying to fit into is an extremely crowded one.
One of the other men in there is Will Jordan, who showed another side to his game. He's noted for his prolific try scoring rate, but after a long layoff the Crusaders fullback came up with some excellent defensive plays that helped seal the win.
Crusaders fullback Will Jordan's defence was a positive for the home side in a tight match. Photo: www.photosport.nz / John Davidson
Other observations from the weekend
What on earth happened to the Chiefs? This was the first time they'd played in New Plymouth since 2017, but Clayton McMillan didn't need to take the occasion literally and stack his forward pack with Taranaki players.
It was fitting that the Reds' 25-22 win ended with a goal-line stand, considering that the result was earned through excellent defence. However, it needn't have been that tense at the end if the visitors had kicked more than just a penalty and conversion.
What does this say about DMac? For the first time this year, the man tipped by many to take over the All Black first five spot didn't have front foot ball, and it showed. Also evident were the big holes left by Sam Cane and Brad Weber, who both missed the game through All Black rest policy.
A week after Julian Savea equalled Super Rugby Pacific's all time try scoring record of 60, brother Ardie became the highest scoring Hurricanes forward with 31 tries. The 71-22 win over Moana Pasifika means that the Canes have put 130 points on the newcomers in two games this year after losing to them in 2022.
Ardie Savea is now the Hurricanes top try-scoring forward. Photo: John Cowpland / www.photosport.nz
The Highlanders really need to win today, otherwise their playoff fate will be in the hands of other results going their way. The bad news is that's easier said than done against an in-form Brumbies side in inhospitable Canberra.
Finally, as hard fought as the game in Christchurch was, the real battle was after the final whistle: