Crusaders v Blues - Live

full-time Crusaders 23 Blues 16

80 The Crusaders are running down the clock by keeping the ball among the forwards. The ball comes out to Carter who puts the ball out from the halfway line and the referee blows the final whistle. The Crusaders were worthy winners. This was a great game of rugby played at high intensity and credit must also go to the Blues for the positive manner which they approached the match. However, it's four losses in a row for them and they surrender their spot at the top of the New Zealand conference to the Crusaders.

77 From the re-start Stephen Brett's kick fails to travel 10 metres! Scrum to the Crusaders.

75 TRY, CRUSADERS, GUILDFORD. 23-16. Zac Guildford dots down in the corner after regathering a a beautifully weighted chip kick by Dan Carter! The pivot misses the conversion.

72 The Crusaders win a lineout on a Blues throw-in close to the halfway line at a critical stage! The Blues do well to win the ball back but Stephen Brett spills the ball after a big tackle by Cory Flynn just outside the Blues' 22 metre line. scrum Crusaders.

68 The Blues win a turnover close to the halfway line and launch a counter-attack. Lachie Turner goes on a run down the touchline but is bundled into touch by Zac Guildford about five metres from the Crusaders' tryline.

65 The Crusaders get a reprieve when Matt Todd putts in a big hit on Benson Stanley just outside the Crusaders' quarter. Stanley spills the ball and it's a scrum to the Crusaders.

62 Andy Ellis throws a woeful pass into touch on the Crusaders 22 metre line! It puts his side under tremendous pressure as the Blues have certainly come on strongly in the past 10 minutes.

59 Luke McAlister drops the ball in front of the tryline! The Blues win a turnover close to the Crusaders line before getting the ball out to their backs. McAlister runs on to a pass from Lachie Turner but commits the handling error without a Crusaders defender close to him.

55 After a great break by Zac Guildford the ball is recycled but Robbie Fruean gives a woeful pass to Brent Ward, ho watches the ball roll in to touch!

52 Andy Ellis knocks the ball on with the tryline at his mercy! This after Robbie Fruean does well to slip past the Blues defence. How costly will that error be for the Crusaders?

48 TRY, BLUES, FAUMUINA. 16-18. Charlie Faumuina crashes over from close range after the Blues go on a drive from a lineout! McAlister misses the conversion.

46 Blues prop Charlie Faumuina is over the tryline but the television match official rules that the ball was held up. This after the Blues took the ball through an incredible 26 phases!

43 The Blues are keen to strike back! They are just metres away from the Crusaders' tryline but are met by a wall of defenders!

40 TRY, CRUSADERS, GUILDFORD. 18-11. From the kick-off, Joe Rokocoko takes the ball up and all the blues forwards go ver him at the ruck. The ball is playable and Kieran Read picks it up before off-loading to Zac Guildford who scores in the corner! Carter misses with the conversion.

40 Dan Carter gets the second half underway with a kick deep into the Blues half.

Half-time Crusaders 13 Blues 11

40 The Crusaders are back on the attack after Matt Todd wins a turnover in the middle of the field. However, the half draws to an end when Keven Mealamu intercepts and runs in to touch. The half has been played at a frenetic pace and the scoreline is a fair reflection of the match. It's been evenly contested but the Crusaders hold a slight edge, especially in the battle up front. We could be in for an exciting second half!

38 The Crusaders are on the attack and get into the Blues quarter! The Blues win a turnover and launch a counter attack! It's end-to-end stuff! The move breaks down when the Blues are blown up close to the Crusaders' 10 metre line for holding on to the ball on the ground.

33 Tom Marshall is over the tryline but the Crusaders are penalised for obstruction by Kieran Read.

32 PENALTY, BLUES, MCALISTER. 13-11. Luke McAlister succeeds with the three-pointer after the Crusaders are blown up for being offside.

29 PENALTY, CRUSADERS, CARTER. 13-8. Dan Carter extends his team's lead after the Blues are penalised at a scrum close to the Blues' tryline.

27 Zac Guildofrd and Tom Marshall combine well to beat the Blues defence on the halfway line. Guildford runs for 30 metres before off-loading to Kieran Read who dives over for what he thinks is a try. However, it's disallowed due to a forward pass.

26 Tom Marshall puts the Crusaders on to the attack with a forty metre kick which rolls out 10 metres from the Blues' tryline.

25 The Blues make a handling error in midfield. Dan Carter pounces and kicks ahead. he's in a race with Joe Rokocoko but the ball rolls over the dead-ball line.

23 Sonny Bill Williams leaves the field due to injury. He is replaced by Ryan Crotty.

22 Tom Marshall goes on a run from the back and beats two Blues defenders! He gathers about forty metres before being stopped!

18 CONVERSION, CRUSADERS, CARTER. 10-8. Dan Carter puts his team into the lead for the first time.

17 TRY, CRUSADERS, TODD. 8-8. Matt Todd scores from close range after Andy Ellis does well to dispossess the Blues at a scrum close to the halfway line. After Ellis kicks ahead both teams scramble for the ball close to the tryline. The Crusaders win the battle and Todd gets in for the five-pointer!

15 PENALTY, CRUSADERS, CARTER. 3-8. Dan Carter narrows the gap after Ali Williams is blown up for an infringement at a ruck.

12 TRY, BLUES, RANGER. 0-8. Rene Ranger runs on to a pass from Jared Payne. He beats two Crusaders defenders down the touchline before putting a kick ahead and scoring in the corner. McAlister fails with the conversion.

10 The Crusaders are five metres out from the Blues' tryline but Kieran Read knocks a pass on from Andy Ellis. The Blues get a reprieve and Stephen Brett clears his line.

7 The Blues go on a drive from a line-out but the Crusaders counter well and when the ball becomes static it's turnover ball and the men from Christchurch get the put-in at the scrum.

4 PENALTY, BLUES, MCALISTER. 0-3. Luke McAlister puts the first points on the board after Sonny bill Williams is penalised for holding on to the ball at a ruck.

2 The Crusaders get punished for obstruction just inside their half. The Blues opt to kick for touch.

1 Sonny Bill Williams makes a good start when he breaks through a couple of tackles in midfield with his first touch of the ball!

Kick-off Stephen Brett gets the match started. Luke Braid does well to gather the kick-off and the Blues are immediately on the front foot.

Team News Stephen Brett return at fly-half for the Blues after being on the replacements bench in the match against the Chiefs. His inclusion means that Luke McAlister and Benson Stanley both shift out one slot as Jared Payne moves to full-back, replacing Lachie Munro. In the forwards, skipper Keven Mealamu is back at hooker after getting a breather with a spell on the bench against the Chiefs while Charlie Faumuina comes in to assume the three jersey, with John Afoa switching sides to loosehead. A late change is the withdrawal through a neck injury of number eight Peter Saili. He is replaced by Chris Lowrey.

Team News For the Crusaders lock Sam Whitelock has recovered from his ankle injury and scrum-half Andy Ellis is back from his broken thumb. Whitelock comes in for Chris Jack and Ellis for Willi Heinz. In other changes, Ben Franks starts at loosehead prop ahead of Wyatt Crockett and Matt Todd replaces captain Richie McCaw, who has suffered discomfort in his foot which was operated on recently. Kieran Read will skipper the side at number eight.

Welcome Hello and welcome to Timaru for this crucial Super Rugby Kiwi derby between the Crusaders and the Blues. These two teams will battle it out for the top spot in the New Zealand conference. There's sure to be plenty of action so stay with us!

Sky Bet Odds: