The Blues have reignited their season with a 29-13 win over the Crusaders at Eden Park.
The hosts rebounded from last week’s narrow defeat at Canberra, putting themselves into the top four for the time being.
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It was the Blues’ wingers in the action early as the hosts took a commanding 19-3 lead after 21 minutes.
All Black Caleb Clarke picked up where he left off last week, scoring twice in the first nine minutes.
It came after the Crusaders were reduced to 14 after a high shot from Dom Gardiner cancelled out Jamie Hannah’s try.
The Blues made the late switch to elevate Beauden Barrett into the starting side in his first appearance of 2026, and it paid dividends with one of the finishes of the year.
Barrett produced a stabbing kick for Codemeru Vai, who showed great athleticism to collect and put the ball down within inches of the in-goal sideline.
However, a yellow card to Clarke for a deliberate knock-down allowed the Crusaders to mount a late first-half charge to reduce the lead to six at the break.
Codie Taylor got their opening try of the game, followed over by Rivez Reihana, who started and ended an electric series after putting in the initial kick, before diving over from Noah Hotham’s flick pass.
Clarke returned to the field after the break and quickly made up for his infringement, completing his hat-trick and giving them a 12-point lead.
It allowed the hosts to control the rest of the contest as their defensive shut out any half-chance from the defending champions.
The Crusaders’ best chance came with ten minutes to go, with a clutch tackle dislodging the ball right under the posts.
Barrett’s late penalty put the result beyond doubt, ending a four game drought at Eden Park against the Crusaders.
Meanwhile, it leaves the reigning premiers desperate for victory ahead of next week’s southern derby against the Highlanders, who earlier defeated the Western Force.
