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          Super Rugby Pacific 2024
          BluesBluesBLU
          26
          23/03FT
          6
          CrusadersCrusadersCRU
          • Ofa Tu'ungafasi(43')
          • AJ Lam(45')
          • Stephen Perofeta(44', 47')
          • Stephen Perofeta(4', 31', 44', 63')
          • Riley Hohepa(20', 38')
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          Blues add more pain to ailing Crusaders in Auckland

          • AAP
          Multiple Authors
          Mar 24, 2024, 04:52 AM
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          The Blues have handed Super Rugby champs the Crusaders a fifth straight loss with an emphatic 26-6 win at Eden Park that leaves the Christchurch-based giants rooted to the bottom of the standings.

          It was the Blues' first win over the Crusaders in 10 years, consigning the defending champs, in the middle of their worst-ever sequence of results, to an extraordinary 0-5 start to the season on Saturday.

          Patrick Tuipulotu of the Blues. Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images

          Auckland, who had led 9-6 after a tight first half, forged clear after the break, with the Crusaders' misery compounded by suffering another injury as their stand-in captain David Havili was forced off.

          Crusaders halfback Willi Heinz earning a yellow card just before halftime was a turning point, with the Blues going on to grab two tries through AJ Lam and Ofa Tu'ungafasi.

          Another All Black Patrick Tuipulotu had a terrific match in his 100th game for the Blues, capping a fine performance from the Auckland pack.

          Five-eighth Stephen Perofeta was also outstanding for the Blues, controlling the game with his fine kicking from the tee and from hand as the home side won their fourth game out of five.

          "A win that hasn't been achieved for 10 years is a monkey off our backs," Blues coach Vern Cotter said.

          "We made it hard for ourselves with a lack of composure and stress with playing the Crusaders, so hopefully we can put that behind us now the victory is there and the boys found a way but everyone needs to keep their feet on the ground."

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          Standings

          Super Rugby Pacific
          RTeamGPPDP
          1HUR14+26455
          2CHI14+19051
          3CRU14+10041
          4BLU14+4438
          5QUE14-2237
          6ACT14+2934
          7WES14-2530
          8NSW14-4928
          9HIG14-9724
          10FIJ14-14321
          11MOA14-2919
          Full Table