Crusaders set up final clash with Chiefs

WILL Jordan scored a second half brace as the Crusaders edged out reigning champions, the Blues, 21-14 to host next week's final against Kiwi rivals, the Chiefs.

- BEN JAYCOCK

Down 14-0 early on, the Crusaders mounted a fierce comeback to reach another showpiece final and extend their unbeaten record of 31 consecutive playoff wins at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Crusaders head coach, Rob Penney, said: “There’s nothing like the Crusader fans in full voice. The last few minutes was heart and soul footy; it was just awesome. The boys dug deep, they wanted to get another week, and they’ve done just that.”

Player of the match, Jordan, added: “The Blues seriously hit us. Hell of a side. They were the champions and showed that. We just managed to hold out.”

The Blues stunned the hosts with two first half tries and Brayden Ennor was sin binned for a high tackle on Hoskins Sotutu just after the Blues opened the scoring.

The head-high contact drew an immediate yellow, shifting momentum early as Mark Tele'a broke the deadlock in the 11th minute, finishing a slick backline move from Beauden Barrett and just after the 20 minute mark, Leinster-bound Rieko Ioane tore through the Crusaders' defence to double the lead to 14-0 and in the process became the Blues' all-time top try scorer with his 56th touchdown.