First of all, congrats to the new-look Crusaders on finally able to make their way back to the Grand Final. Everyone has their ups and downs but it doesn’t mean the glory days shouldn’t be completely over and shoutout to Rob Penney on having an excellent set of experienced ones that makes their own youth click.
One of the stalwarts always continue to fly high just like Sevu Reece in full-back Will Jordan who continues to perform amazing stunts that is worthy of A + or an individual Emmy award.
Then who needs Hoskins Sotutu when the current ABs coach Scott Robertson can safely put his faith on No.8 Christian Lio-Willie? He’s got a bit of everything the Blues couldn’t see that coming including defensively and now he will be on his way to something World-Class if he can help Crusaders deliver a trophy next weekend.
Finally on Blues, they may not be able to defend their crown but at least they turned their slow start into a consistent Playoffs side, and no doubt they will continue to reap those rewards if they go bang, bang from the very start to the very finish.
Mark Telea on the right 14 always want to make good use of the ball as if he’s making rocket ships while passing off for numbers left or right. However, Blues just couldn’t find the rhythm in order to capitalise at times and that was that as seen where they fell short in the end.

The final score was Crusaders 21-14 Blues in Christchurch where both teams levelled the scores 14-14 at half-time before the 2nd half was about one physical arm wrestle with both teams up on the ante for that 1st available Grand Final slot and Crusaders in the end stood out tall like it always was before & they’ve done it again.
Now the Crusaders will be back here again as the home Grand Final team next weekend on what is going to be their final game at Apollo Projects Stadium ahead of their move to a 30,000 seater state-of-the-art Te Kaha Stadium next season.
Their next opponent? Chiefs or the lone Australian team from Canberra ACT Brumbies at FMG Stadium in Hamilton.
Chiefs yes are minor premiers but last weekend’s close loss against the now eliminated Blues goes to show they still have work to do. So if they made some little mistakes here and there this could finally be the time for the ACT Brumbies to win a semi-final away from home – something we haven’t seen in a long time.
We will have to find out tonight at 5pm AEST on Stan Sport and 9Gem.