Rugby: Crusaders cling to title chance

Crusaders number eight Thomas Waldrom takes on the Blues defence at Eden Park, Auckland tonight. Photo / Getty Images.

The Crusaders' Super 14 rugby title defence is in the lap of the gods after grinding out a 15-13 defeat of the Blues in Auckland tonight.

In a disappointing spectacle with a dramatic finale, departing veteran Leon MacDonald landed a dropped goal four minutes from fulltime to leave the Crusaders with hope of an eighth successive appearance in the semifinals.

They jump ahead of the New South Wales Waratahs on points differential into third place but could drop to fifth by the end of the final round of matches.

They may passed by the Hurricanes later tonight and possibly the Sharks, who host the Bulls in Pretoria tomorrow morning. The Sharks will need a bonus point victory against the Bulls in Durban to edge ahead.

The Crusaders never came to securing the bonus point for four tries they needed to guarantee a playoff berth, instead settling for another of the tight, low-scoring wins that has marked their campaign.

Their best player was veteran All Blacks fullback MacDonald, in his 121st and possibly last Super rugby game.

As well as his matchwinning droppie from 25m out, he landed four penalties from six attempts.

The game was a penalty-kicking duel between MacDonald and Blues first five-eighth Jimmy Gopperth, also leaving New Zealand rugby having signed with English club Newcastle.

Gopperth kicked two penalties and converted the game's only try, to second five-eighth Isaia Toeava with 8min remaining that put the hosts 13-12 up and threatened to end the Crusaders campaign.

It was game flooded with errors not worthy of teams who share 10 titles between them.

Crusaders were generally more controlled and dominated territory, having the better of the breakdown battle and the numerous kicking exchanges.

The Crusaders end the regular season with comfortably the best defence of any team, conceding 14 points a game, but that may not be enough.

In contrast, the Blues had conceded 30 points a game before tonight but produced their best defensive performance of a disappointing campaign.

The Crusaders loose forwards, led by captain Richie McCaw, were as relentless as ever while prop Wyatt Crockett continued his superb season.

MacDonald missed an easy early penalty attempt but made amends with a successful 12th minute strike.

Gopperth levelled via the same manner 5min later but MacDonald gave his side momentum and an advantage they weren't to relinquish with penalties either side of halftime.

The Crusaders had two gilt-edged chances to score tries after that but were thwarted.

Some outrageous soccer skills from first five-eighth Stephen Brett set up a Michael Paterson drive over the line but it was deemed inconclusive whether he had ground the ball.

Blues flanker Tom Chamberlain was sinbinned for a professional foul and Crusaders No 8 Thomas Waldrom spilled the ball over the line after charging through a subsequent lineout.

The only points during Chamberlain's absence was a Gopperth penalty to leave his side 6-9 down.

MacDonald's fourth penalty was followed by Toeava's contentious try, with third match official Chris Pollock ruling he had scored despite numerous hands and bodies around the ball.

- NZPA