Commentator Grant Nisbett summed up the Crusaders’ thrilling 25-22 win over the Blues finest, saying James O’Connor had “instantly” develop into “an area hero” in Christchurch. With time up on the clock, the previous Wallaby stepped up and slotted a clutch penalty to grab the win at dwelling.
Whereas the Crusaders went into this match as agency favourites, as they sat in first place on the Super Rugby Pacific ladder after 9 rounds, their rivalry with the Blues hardly ever disappoints. It was additionally one other essential take a look at for the defending champions, who’re liable to lacking the playoffs.
Vern Cotter’s Blues occupied eighth spot forward of this conflict, including to the already intense environment of a decisive New Zealand derby. It was a tense first half, with Tamaiti Williams and Will Jordan each scoring first-half tries because the hosts took a 14-7 lead into the sheds.
Backrower Christian Lio-Willie added another five points to the Crusaders’ advantage only a few minutes into the second term, but the Blues went on a point-scoring blitz by scoring 15 unanswered which changed the match completely.
In James O’Connor we trust 😮💨
Is there anyone one else you’d trust to take the match winning kick?#SuperRugbyPacific #CRUvBLU pic.twitter.com/bNgCt5yb6v
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) April 18, 2025
The Blues led 22-19 with 10 minutes left, but two late penalty goals from O’Connor secured a dramatic win for the Crusaders. In tough conditions, the Aussie gave that final kick everything, sending the ball straight through the middle of the uprights.
“Once it went through it felt pretty good,” O’Connor said post-game on Sky Sport. “Just back to process, you’ve got to block everything out, step-by-step and just keep the mind clear.
“When the boys were scrumming I could feel something coming.
“As soon as I’m within drop goal [range], time’s up, I’m having a crack there.
“I’m actually having fun with this position. Taha’s [Kemara] setting the temp very well, placing us in the best areas of the sphere and my job is to come back on with about 5 minutes or 10 minutes to go and I suppose do this hopefully.”
With five minutes left to play, the Crusaders had the feed into a scrum inside their own 22. With the scores locked at 22-all, the home side desperately needed to get out of trouble, and it was O’Connor who delivered with a perfectly executed clearance kick.
Fans let out a massive cheer for the replacement first five-eighth as both teams prepared for a lineout 10 metres inside the Blues’ half. That wasn’t the end of the drama, though, with a nervy game of force ‘em back dominating the dying stages of the match.
O’Connor, Sevu Reece, Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan and Chay Fihaki had been among the many gamers concerned on this trade, as each groups regarded to profit from the wet circumstances that added to the theatre of the competition.
Rieko Ioane knocked the ball on with lower than 50 seconds to play, which gave the Crusaders an opportunity to mount a match-winning cost. The house aspect’s forwards delivered with a menacing scrum, which resulted in a penalty lower than 40 metres out.
Enter James O’Connor.
The remainder was historical past.
“Yeah it was powerful,” Havili mirrored.
“We’ve discovered our DNA once more, particularly at dwelling. We performed right here in the beginning of the yr once we didn’t actually get the efficiency we wished after which we got here out tonight and the boys actually stepped up.
“We love this. We adore it when it’s like this. Our ahead pack actually stepped up tonight.
“I suppose the penalty rely didn’t go our manner however that’s one thing we will work on.”
