Mistakes by the Blues gave the Crusaders a sniff that they turned into a healthy snort to claim a 26-15 in an outstanding Super Rugby Aotearoa game in Christchurch on Saturday.
Intensity from the Blues in the first 60 minutes was matched in the final 20 by a Crusaders side who kept their best to last to claim a significant victory that will be the base of another prospective championship.
A charged down conversion attempt by Blues first five-eighths Otere Black, a kick directly to touch by fullback Beauden Barrett, and the failure to clear a kick to the Blues goalline by Barrett gave the Crusaders chances and they were ruthless as ever in maximising the opportunities.
It was a classic contest between the two old rivals and while it ended the Blues' seven-game winning streak, the game was also a statement of the growth they have undergone – and a reminder they still have more to grow.
Providing both teams are able to maintain healthy squads, the last round game to be played at Eden Park should be a thriller.
Attacking from the outset, with some class provided by fullback Barrett, firstly leaping to prevent a Crusaders penalty from finding touch, and moments later slipping into the backline to put a superb kick to the corner, the Blues played like a Ranfurly Shield challenger mounting a full-out assault. It was all action, no-nonsense and frenetic.
However, the benefits of that approach was some time coming, courtesy of issues setting a five-metre scrum resulting from hooker Codie Taylor being ruled to have not thrown the ball straight into the lineout.
No 8 Hoskins Sotutu looked to have scored when running off the back of the scrum but the TMO said there was no clear evidence of a grounding.
The scrum was reset and while Sotutu went again, it was to create the chance outside after a drive by lock Patrick Tuipulotu, and when the ball was cleared it was thrown wide to wing Mark Telea who went over with a one-handed dive in the corner.
The Crusaders responded by looking to work their way back into the game through their pack. They benefited from the Blues struggling with their discipline and first five-eighths Richie Mo'unga landed penalty goals in the 28th and 31st minute.
But he was also under pressure from determined Blues defence, and made one glaring error when a penalty kick to the corner was too long and went dead.
The Crusaders looked to mount their forward drives with hooker and skipper Codie Taylor leading the way with ball in hand, with support from props Joe Moody and Mike Alaalatoa.
However, the Blues defence was up to the task and there was no way through during the first half. Every time wing Sevu Reece was ushered into the attack he was quickly bottled up. The Blues made 76 tackles to 40 by the Crusaders in the first 40 minutes
George Bridge was always dangerous when chasing the box kicks from halfback Bryn Hall but again the impetus wasn't forthcoming for the side.
A double decision by referee Paul Williams rocked the Crusaders. They were ruled to have carried a ball back into the dead ball area and a five-metre scrum was awarded the Blues. Then, as the scrum broke up a penalty was awarded against the home side.
Blindside flanker Akira Ioane took a quick tap and was immediately challenged within the 10m area and an advantage was awarded. But the Blues had the fire in their bellies and the ball was cleared for centre Rieko Ioane to power his way over. Two key points were lost when Black had his conversion attempt charged down by Braydon Ennor.
Mo'unga provided fireworks when kicking a short restart, regathering the ball and setting sail into the Blues 22m area. Desperate defence from the Blues denied them but when Barrett kicked the ball out on the full, just out from his 22m area a key chance was provided.
From the lineout, the Crusaders established themselves in midfield and it was Mo'unga's long pass to Bridge on the flank that allowed them to claim the lead for the first time in the 60th minute.
Bridge had replacement halfback Mitch Drummond infield in support and he crossed for the try.
With five minutes to go, the Crusaders ethos was borne out again, taking every opportunity that came to their way to put the pressure on the Blues. They worked the ball left and right and while the Blues defended as they had all night, the constant movement ensured a gap would eventually open and it was replacement fullback Will Jordan who sped into space and through for the match-winner.
Scorers: Crusaders 26 (Mitch Drummond, Will Jordan tries; Richie Mo'unga 2 con, 4 pen) Blues 15 (Mark Telea, Rieko Ioane tries; Otere Black con, pen ). HT: 7-6
The teams were:
Crusaders: 1.Joe Moody (replaced by George Bower, 77min), 2.Codie Taylor (captain – replaced by Andrew Makalio 67min)), 3.Michael Alaalatoa (replaced by Oli Jager, 57min), 4.Sam Whitelock, 5.Mitchell Dunshea (replaced by Quinten Strange, 63min), 6.Tom Sanders (replaced by Sione Havili, 63min), 7.Tom Christie, 8.Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9.Bryn Hall (replaced by Mitch Drummond, 57min), 10.Richie Mo'unga, 11.George Bridge, 12.Jack Goodhue, 13.Braydon Ennor, 14.Sevu Reece (replaced by Will Jordan 52min), 15.David Havili (replaced by Fetuli Paea, 77min).
Blues: 1.Alex Hodgman (replaced by Karl Tu'inukuafe, 62min), 2.James Parsons (replaced by Kurt Eklund, 27mins), 3.Ofa Tuungafasi (replaced by Sione Mafileo, 62min), 4.Patrick Tuipulotu (captain), 5.Josh Goodhue, 6.Akira Ioane, 7.Dalton Papalii (replaced by Aaron Carroll, 62min), 8.Hoskins Sotutu (replaced by Blake Gibson, 62min), 9.Finlay Christie (replaced by Jonathan Ruru, 76min), 10.Otere Black (replaced by TJ Faiane, 59min), 11.Caleb Clarke, 12.Harry Plummer, 13.Rieko Ioane, 14.Mark Telea (replaced by Matt Duffie, 76min), 15.Beauden Barrett.
Referee: Paul Williams