Crusaders put Blues to the sword to move into Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals

And so it proved, as the Crusaders continued their late-season revival with a fourth straight win to comfortably book their semi-final presence in a likely grand final rematch with the Chiefs next week.

Barring a shock Reds upset against the Chiefs in Hamilton tonight though, the Blues will progress to meet the rampant Hurricanes next weekend.

After a dire run of four successive losses, the Blues don’t deserve to be in the semi-finals.

Should they, indeed, progress as the highest-ranked “lucky loser”, the merits of Super Rugby’s bloated playoff format – designed to appease the broadcasters’ desire for more finals matches – will be widely questioned.

Conceding 36, 47, 59 and 52 points in their last four defeats against quality Kiwi opposition underlines the Blues’ malaise.

So, too, the fact this is the first time in seven years the Blues have dropped four in a row. Leaking eight tries in a quarter-final proves they, clearly, do not belong in the upper echelon of this year’s competition.

Against the Crusaders, other than the opening 10 minutes, the Blues were never within reach of summoning an upset.

There was no disputing Blues loose forward Malachi Wrampling’s costly red card for his direct shoulder to the head contact on Leicester Fainga’anuku that turned the contest midway through the first half.

Wrampling is a highly promising prospect but his flush blow – that should have resulted in Fainga’anuku leaving the field for a head injury assessment – was always going to be upgraded from yellow to a costly red card.

The only slight mitigation is it reduced the Blues to 14 men for 20 minutes rather than the full match.

In that time, though, the Crusaders took full advantage to score four tries to one and effectively put the game to bed.

The Blues started with intent by finding space on the edges and claiming the opening try through a well-worked lineout move – throwing long to Wrampling, who combined with AJ Lam to send Sam Nock over.

Familiar flaws with the Blues’ lineout and leaky defence then returned. The visitors initially showed spirit while one man short to patiently build phases, turn down a shot at goal and earn the reward through Anton Segner.

But that resistance didn’t last.

By the time Wrampling’s red card concluded, Johnny McNicholl, David Havili, Chay Fihaki and Taha Kemara crossed as the Crusaders severely punished the Blues to rack up a 33-14 halftime lead.

The Blues scrambled at times but Fihaki’s try, as he cut back off his wing to brush off multiple attempted tackles, exposed a lacklustre defensive commitment.

Lam and the ever-present Segner were the Blues’ best and replacement hooker Eli Oudenryn once again gave a nod to the future with a notable impact off the bench. But their attack was disjointed and discipline and defence – missing 31 tackles – nowhere near where it needs to be.

The Blues looked their best when they had nothing to lose and were forced to give the ball air by chasing the game. If they do progress, they must have a genuine crack by attempting to ignite their attack.

Late strikes from Payton Spencer and Caleb Clarke reduced the margin of defeat, but it can’t hide the Blues’ spiralling campaign.

With Will Jordan sidelined for the Super season, McNicholl profited from sweeping movements and slick offloads to collect a hat-trick for the Crusaders.

Christian Lio-Willie carried and attacked the breakdown to deliver another standout performance in the loose. Jamie Hannah and Havili were prominent too.

As they eye a tilt at a 14th title, the Crusaders will hope injured tighthead props Fletcher Newell and Seb Calder return next week.

Regardless, though, the Crusaders are hitting form at the right time of year.

Sound familiar?

Crusaders 52 (Johnny McNicholl 3, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki, David Havili, Taha Kemara, Manumaua Letiu tries; Kemara 5 cons, Rivez Reihana con)

Blues 31 (Sam Nock, Anton Segner, Xavi Taele, Payton Spencer, Caleb Clarke tries; Zarn Sullivan 3 cons)

HT: 33-14