Champions knocked out in thrilling finish to semi
Fortress Christchurch remains intact.
The Crusaders are now an incredible 31-0 in home Super Rugby finals after producing a stirring defensive effort to beat the defending champion Blues 21-14 on Friday.
Rob Penney's side will now host the grand final on June 21 against the winner of the Chiefs vs Brumbies semi-final in Hamilton on Saturday.
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Sevu Reece of the Crusaders celebrates winning.
The Crusaders - featuring Wallabies veteran James O'Connor - had to soak up more than 40 phases of Blues attack on their try-line before the ball popped loose and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie swooped in the 87th minute of a gripping match.
The red-and-black machine have now qualified for 17 finals in 28 seasons, dominance to rival any in the sporting world.
Coach Penney - who had been sacked by the Waratahs in 2021 - was under pressure to keep his job last year after the Crusaders failed to make the playoffs.
But they kept the faith and Penney's players have delivered for him.
"I will put a wee shout out to the management," Penney said.
"Last year was a challenge and they were under the pump. They showed great courage in allowing me to have another one.
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https://omny.fm/shows/rugby-world-cup-inside-line/captaincy-rumours-cheika-s-chance-finals-format-sevens-future/embed?in_playlist=podcast&style=Cover"And there may be a lesson in the future for some other people.
"If they trust the coach in one year, you know, maybe they should let them carry on. If things turn around, great. But I just can't speak highly enough of the people that I work for. It's a wonderful organisation, as everyone knows, and it's a privilege."
Brilliant Crusaders fullback Will Jordan was the match-winner with two tries after flanker Tom Christie had scored the home side's first.
That started the fightback after a withering Blues start.
Slippery backs Mark Tele'a and Rieko Ioane went bang, bang in the first half to silence the home crowd and give the champs a 14-0 lead after 21 minutes.
Ioane's strike broke Doug Howlett's club try-scoring record of 55.
But that deficit only seemed to stiffen the Crusaders' resolve as they didn't concede a further point.
The Blues were forced to chase the game late without No.8 Hoskins Sotutu who was harshly yellow carded for an accidental collision with Crusaders winger Chay Fihaki.
"I just don't know how Hoskins Sotutu could have avoided that. I don't think someone should be in the bin for 10 minutes," Crusaders legend Justin Marshall said in commentary.
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/1933457212233691286The grand final will be the club's last game at Apollo Projects Stadium before moving into their flash new digs under the roof at Te Kaha (One New Zealand Stadium) in the city's CBD.
The Blues have now lost 20 of their last 24 games in Christchurch.
Crusaders flanker Ethan Blackadder, nursing a nasty head cut that will require six stitches, summed up the team's mindset.
Ethan Blackadder and Fletcher Newell of the Crusaders celebrate.
"We weren't going to take shit, basically," Blackadder said.
"That's just footy. It's fierce out there, but we all shake hands after and we're mates, so it's all good."
Jordan was outstanding in the aerial contest and dangerous around the field.
Rieko Ioane of the Blues reacts after losing.
The Crusaders weathered pressure near their goal line between the 46th and 51st minutes before relieving that pressure with the first of a series of scrum penalties.
The Blues were forced to use hooker Ricky Riccitelli at loosehead temporarily after exhausting their prop resources.
After a series of eight consecutive penalties in the Blues' 22, Jordan scored what proved to be the match winning try with a clever ruck put-down.
Will Jordan of the Crusaders celebrates after scoring a try.
The Blues then threw everything at the Crusaders to keep the match and their title defence alive but couldn't score again.
"That was just pride," Jordan said.
"Some boys must have made 10 or 15 tackles just in that last five or 10 minutes. The Blues are a hell of a side, champions and showed that tonight. We just managed to hold out."
Ethan Blackadder of the Crusaders charges forward.
The Blues only just scraped into the playoffs in sixth place before upsetting the minor premier Chiefs last weekend to advance.
"We started very well but we let them back in and they were good at what they pride themselves on around their set piece," Blues captain Patrick Tuipulotu said.
"On top of that we were pretty ill-disciplined and they wre able to get on top of us in that way."
https://x.com/StanSportRugby/status/1933448042738237554The Crusaders have won six previous titles in Christchurch deciders.
"The Chiefs have been awesome all year and they'll be a massive challenge," Penney said.
"But whoever comes out on top tomorrow will be a massive challenge and we've done nothing yet except get ourselves there. We'll just have to start to prepare, with that in mind again, that we're starting from scratch. Do all the detail and get our own stuff right and then just embrace what happens at the end of the week." - with AP
Crusaders 21 (Will Jordan 2, Tom Christie tries; Rivez Reihana 3 con) Blues 14 (Mark Tele'a, Rieko Ioane tries; Beauden Barrett 2 con)
