How latest loss to the Crusaders will hurt the Blues

There were elements of the ‘old’ Crusaders in their 34-28 win against the Blues on Saturday: the desperation on defence (Richie Mo’unga), blokes performing heroics when clearly injured (Leicester Fainga’anuku), and the serial pushing of the envelope inside their defensive 22m (take your pick).

However, there were still signs of the slightly more fragile, 2023 edition of the Crusaders in how they kept dishing up chances for the Blues to win the game.

The hosts weren’t good enough to take them, and it may really hurt them at the pointy end of the competition.

Super Rugby Pacific is a race – a sprint to lock down the top two spots in the ladder to provide home advantage in the finals.

Yes, the Crusaders won the decider at Eden Park last year, but if you finish outside the top two you’ll likely have to win on the road at least twice – and that cost the Brumbies and Chiefs last year.

The Blues’ inability to crack the Crusaders in the dying stages means they are now 2-2 for the season, the same record as the Crusaders.

One of these two teams will lose again this year, because they meet again in Christchurch in May.

They both have to face the Chiefs in Hamilton as well, and sides with four losses all finished outside the top two last year.

Therefore, the hard question the Blues must ask themselves is: can they navigate their way through the rest of the campaign when the margin for error has already narrowed?

Cam Roigard continues to impress

Don’t hold your breath for many – if any – uncapped players to burst into the All Blacks and do a Nehe Milner-Skudder in 2023.

Shaun Stevenson is clearly impressing, but there must be some doubts lurking among the All Blacks selectors: the Chiefs fullback didn’t even make the initial All Blacks XV touring squad last year.

Perhaps it’s his habit of switching off just a touch when a try looks inevitable. He fluffed a golden opportunity in the All Blacks XV’s loss to the Barbarians last year and went pretty close to dropping the ball over the line against the Rebels on Saturday. It’s a wee question mark over an obviously talented individual.

Hurricanes halfback Cam Roigard would also have to be in early All Blacks conversations. He’s strong and fast but his notso-secret weapon is his left-footed kicking game.

New No 10 Brett Cameron has a handy right boot, so Roigard’s long and accurate boot is giving the Hurricanes a nice balance. The core skills in Roigard’s game are excellent.

The missing name in All Blacks chat

Maybe it’s too early for Chiefs