There was no love lost between the Crusaders and Blues in their feisty semi-final on Friday night, with numerous scuffles and words said before the hosts prevailed in Christchurch.
The stage was set for a true Super Rugby blockbuster, with on-field and online antics from the Blues, and Rieko Ioane in particular, bringing fans further on or offside with the Aucklanders.
On the other side of that coin was a Crusaders side just one full season removed from their Scott Robertson-led dynasty, with no shortage of fans praying for the perennial champions’ downfall.
Adding yet more fuel to the fire was the fact that this matchup was the reigning champs vs the most successful club in Super Rugby history, traditional foes whose rivalry has only heated up further in recent seasons.
For the clubs, players, and fan bases, there was plenty of emotion invested in the contest. That emotion led to outbursts and the need for some mediatory interjections from referee James Doleman.
All Blacks flanker Ethan Blackadder is never one to shy away from the physical exchanges, and said the beef between the two teams had been “brewing” for some time.
“You’ve only got to look at the first game we played (this year) at Eden Park, there was a bit of niggle there, and then the second game, heaps of niggle and this one, yeah, it was brewing,” the loose forward told reporters after a 29-tackle performance in the win.
“That’s just how much we go at each other. Afterwards, we shake hands and it’s all good!”
A rye smile came across the workhorse’s face as he discussed upholding one of rugby’s great traditions: leaving it all on the field.
Blackadder said the game was as intense as Super Rugby games come, beating the usual, high standard the Crusaders experience playing against their Auckland rivals, even labelling it a “clash of the titans.”
“Fully intense from minute one to the 85th minute. We got a smack on the nose early, didn’t we? We conceded two tries, and they had their tails up, but we just had to hang in there and know that that momentum would turn around eventually, and we could apply our pressure through set piece.”
The final moments saw the Blues go deep into the red with their final drive at the line, testing the Crusaders’ championship DNA by forcing them to defend a barrage of hard carries that eventually had them crashing just shy of the line. It was, in the end, a classic Crusaders victory, with desperate defence denying the Blues an equaliser.
Blackadder said the final defensive stand “absolutely” made the victory all the sweeter.
“I’ve heard it was like 41 phases or something, and that’s incredible for us to hang in for that long without faulting. So proud of the lads.”
