WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — The Christchurch-based Crusaders scored a single attempt in every half to beat the Auckland-based Blues 15-3 in a pivotal match in Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday.

The match between the fourth-placed Blues and fifth-placed Crusaders was much-anticipated and watched by a capability crowd of 17,000 in Christchurch. But whereas it was bodily intense, it offered little by way of pleasure.

The Crusaders hogged possession, particularly within the first half when the few shreds the Blues obtained, normally in their very own half, had been wastefully kicked away by flyhalf Beauden Barrett.

Possession evened out to about 60-40 in favor of the Crusaders throughout the second half however they retained the benefit by way of territory and the Blues weren’t capable of marshal a coherent assault.

The Blues’ protection principally was inflexible, particularly in a 20-minute interval within the second half when their captain Dalton Papali’i used to be red-carded for a excessive deal with on Crusaders flyhalf Richie Mo’unga. They didn’t concede some extent in that interval. But they missed round 25 tackles total and that was essential because the Crusaders punched via midfield with massive ball-carrying forwards.

The Crusaders in flip didn’t have a lot to defend in opposition to. The Blues made solely two visits to their 22 all match and any nascent assaults from additional out had been rapidly shut down. Barrett set in movement an end-to-end kick and chase late within the match but it surely was shut down on the aim line by Crusaders fullback Will Jordan.

“The game was won with out defense,” Crusaders captain Scott Barrett stated. “To hold them to three points was a huge testament. At times it was a bit ugly and we didn’t fire too many shots. But I think we closed down their game and a lot of their firepower didn’t get into the game.”

Thirty minutes handed earlier than the primary factors got here with a attempt to Crusaders backrower Quinten Strange. Beauden Barrett kicked a penalty and Mo’unga one other and that ended the first-half scoring.

In the third minute of the second half, winger Leicester Fainga’anuku completed a long-distance attempt from a wayward Blues’ kick. The subsequent 37 minutes had been scoreless.

“There was plenty of defense out there tonight and some sore bodies,” Blues captain Beauden Barrett stated. “They just took their opportunities. There weren’t many in that game. When we sped the ball up in the second half we started to see some opportunities through the middle. But we weren’t good enough to execute and finish.”

The scoring motion got here in Wellington the place the Hurricanes scored their first attempt inside two minutes and added 10 extra in a report 71-22 win over Moana Pasifika, their eighth win from 11 matches. The Hurricanes posted their highest rating in a Super Rugby match, bouncing again from final week’s shock loss to the Fijian Drua.

Three of these tries went to captain Ardie Savea, whose tireless ball carrying saved the Hurricanes on the entrance foot.

“I’m proud of the boys’ effort tonight,” Savea stated. “We knew what Moana would bring. I’m just happy the boys bounced back after last week and produced a good performance in front of our fans.”

Moana Pasifika additionally had a attempt inside 5 minutes and had been aggressive at first in a match that produced noticed 48 first-half factors. The Hurricanes led 29-19 at halftime then outscored Moana Pasifika 42-3 within the second spell, including six tries together with Savea’s hat trick.

The scrum was a weapon for the Hurricanes within the first half and within the second their quick passing and offloading means was an excessive amount of for Moana Pasifika.

Kini Naholo scored two tries and Billy Proctor, Jordie Barrett and Aidan Morgan additionally touched down for the Hurricanes within the first half. Jacob Devery, Salesi Rayasi and Caleb Delaney added to Savea’s three tries within the second half.

The most spectacular may need been Rayasi’s attempt. The final move got here from Morgan who tried to hurdle two defenders beneath the posts and was suspended in mid-air when the winger scored.