Reigning S12 champs go down again
by Scrum's Huw Turner
March 2, 2001

It is only round two, but the Crusaders' hold on the Super 12 title seems to be weakening after they were beaten 17-12 by the Blues at Auckland's Eden Park this evening. A try in each half was good enough to give the Blues the points after the champions had shaded the battle for possession and position.

But there was a lack of confidence in their play , and a sterility in their game plan, which will have the alarm bells ringing in Christchurch.. They clearly need a miracle cure to get Andrew Mehrtens fit and back into action - without him his side seem lethargic and aimless. It was not until the half time substitution of Ben Blair for Marika Vunibaka that the Crusaders' back line showed any real spark , and his nerveless goalkicking also accounted for 9 of his side's points.

Click here for Huw Turner's full match report.

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