Canterbury Crusaders thrashes Auckland Blues 21-7 to win Super Rugby Pacific championship

• Crusaders win the one-sided Super Rugby Pacific finals.
• Crusaders have claimed 10 titles so far.
• Robertson compares Mo’unga with NBA star Stephen Curry.

The Canterbury Crusaders defeated the Auckland Blues 21-7 in Saturday’s Super Rugby Pacific championship match in Auckland, securing their position as the best team in the competition.

Many thought that the championship game between two fierce New Zealand rivals would be close, but the Crusaders seized control from the start and won their 13th title.

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Despite the rain, the visitors played with the precision that has been a trademark of their sustained success, much to the consternation of the 42,000-strong crowd at Eden Park.

Coach Scott Robertson’s sixth championship in his six years in charge was the result of precise tactical kicking, relentless work at the breakdown, and complete dominance of the lineouts.

Two of them, in 2020 and 2021, were won under the Super Rugby Aotearoa domestic format, while ten were won prior to the introduction of Covid.

With his pack laying the groundwork, Richie Mo’unga was able to dictate terms and kick 11 points for the Crusaders.

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Mo’unga, whom Robertson compared to Stephen Curry, a four-time NBA champion with the Golden State Warriors, was given room as the strategy to pressure the Blues from the opening was carried out to the letter, according to Robertson.

“Richie Mo, what a player… he’s Steph Curry for us,” Robertson said.

“We love him and he stood up for us again, just like in the last six finals.

“That first 15 minutes, my lord. The pressure we wanted to put on the Blues, it happened. They just didn’t get out of their half for a long period of time.”

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The Blues, who were seeking their fourth trophy and first since 2003, were viewed as formidable opponents for the Crusaders.

Two months ago, they earned a rare victory in Christchurch in the midst of a 15-match winning streak to earn home advantage for the deciding match.