Richie Mo'unga starred with 28 points as the Crusaders dominated the Blues 43-27 to remain unbeaten after four matches of Super Rugby Aotearoa.
The New Zealand fly-half scored a try and added 23 points with the boot as the dominant visitors made it 13 consecutive wins over the Blues dating back to 2014 at a packed-out Eden Park.
Jack Goodhue, Codie Taylor and Sevu Reece all dotted down for the Crusaders, with the Blues scoring four tries themselves in a match packed with All Black internationals – Kurt Eklund, Blake Gibson and Hoskins Sotutu all registering for the hosts.
It was Mo'unga's accuracy off the tee that proved the difference, though.
The number 10 nailed all four conversions and added five penalties as the Crusaders went nine points clear.
yep, pretty happy with that Codie! @crusadersrugby beat the @BluesRugbyTeam 43-27 @edenparknz That was some game and @BluesRugbyTeam came to play... we can't wait for the re-match in @Christchurch_NZ #BLUvCRU #LeaveYourMark #Forever #DancingShoes #Bryn100 #Record28Richie pic.twitter.com/7Qvni3LxKM
— Crusaders (@crusadersrugby) March 21, 2021
"It's great to win here at Eden Park," Crusaders captain Scott Barrett said. "The Blues played some great rugby and tested us up front, it was a real battle there.
"It was almost like a Test match and we had to turn pressure into points."
