Recap: Blues v Crusaders — Super Rugby Pacific, round four
Saturday, 7 March 2026
The Blues host the Crusaders in Auckland in round four of Super Rugby Pacific on Saturday night.
The match at Eden Park starts at 7:05pm with live coverage on Sky Sport and live updates on Stuff from 6:45pm.
The Blues were forced to make a late change with Stephen Perofeta ruled out with injury. Beauden Barrett was promoted from the bench to start at first five-eighth, with Kade Banks joining the reserves.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Another Kiwi derby with simmering heat could boil over after the Crusaders crushed the Blues’ dream of retaining the title last year.
The champions from the previous two seasons meet again at Eden Park on Saturday night with identical 1-2 records.
For all the improvements the Blues have made with Vern Cotter at the helm, their record against the red and blacks has not been much better.
Their last clash was a semifinal in Christchurch last June when Rob Penney’s Crusaders snuck past the Blues 21-14 en route to becoming Super Rugby kings again.
The Blues won’t forget that devastation when two of the competition’s traditional rivals contest the match of the round. Hopefully, Eden Park can attract a respectable crowd.
All Blacks No 10 Beauden Barrett is the big addition for the hosts, albeit via the bench for his first appearance of the season, after a huge week for the game.
Dave Rennie was unveiled as the new All Blacks coach, banishing the heavy cloud that was hanging over Super Rugby.
Veterans such as Barrett will need to remind the new boss of their quality after Rennie said he’s “got no loyalties” when it comes to selection.
Another returning for the Crusaders is All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor with George Bell (foot) injured.
Will Jordan is missing (All Blacks rest) for the visitors with Taha Kemara moving from first five-eighth to fullback.
Penney has named six forwards on the bench in an effort to counter Cotter’s blueprint of getting his Blues side to steadily smash through the opposition with carry after carry.
The Crusaders will meet this challenge head-on.
TEAMS
Blues: Zarn Sullivan, Codemeru Vai, AJ Lam, Pita Ahki, Caleb Clarke, Stephen Perofeta, Finlay Christie; Hoskins Sotutu, Dalton Papali’i (capt), Torian Barnes, Sam Darry, Josh Beehre, Marcel Renata, Kurt Eklund, Ofa Tu’ungafasi. Reserves: James Mullan, Mason Tupaea, Sam Matenga, Che Clark, Anton Segner, Taufa Funaki, Beauden Barrett, Xavi Taele.
Crusaders: Taha Kemara, Chay Fihaki, Leicester Fainga'anuku, David Havili (capt), Sevu Reece, Rivez Reihana, Noah Hotham; Christian Lio-Willie, Ethan Blackadder, Dom Gardiner, Jamie Hannah, Antonio Shalfoon, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, George Bower. Reserves: Manumau Letiu, Finlay Brewis, Seb Calder, Will Tucker, Corey Kellow, Xavier Saifaloi, Kyle Preston, Dallas McLeod.
TAB ODDS
Blues $1.82, Crusaders $1.92
HEAD TO HEAD
The Crusaders have won 35 of their 49 encounters since Super Rugby was launched in 1996. With one draw, the Blues have 13 victories.
PREDICT THE RESULT