Rugby: Gutsy Blues inspire big dreams

Blues hooker Keven Mealamu makes a break during the round one Super Rugby match against the Crusaders at Eden Park. Photo / Getty Images

Blues 24
Crusaders 22

The revamped Eden Park, representing the bright new future of the unified Auckland, was treated to a Blues performance last night that suggests their future is equally upbeat.

Beating the Crusaders, even when they are shorn of the golden one, is still reason for optimism. Quite serious optimism, especially when the Blues had to show guts and passion to fight back from a heavy first-half deficit where many of their old failings haunted them.

If it hadn't been for the jerseys, the Blues looked more like the Crusaders in their heart, organisation and belief.

If this is their benchmark and they can reproduce it for weeks on end, then a city denied much to sing about in the last seven years can maybe dream.

Actually, if the Blues simplify their game plan and work on the basic principle of getting the ball into Rene Ranger's hands as early as they can, then Aucklanders really can dream.

It was Ranger, looking as if he had just been dragged out of the bush, who set the Blues back on track with a breathtaking run that saw him skip past Sean Maitland, brush off George Whitelock and then throw a perfect pass to Benson Stanley.

The Northlander had been a passenger until then, other than a horrid knock-on. But that weaving run changed the game.

From then on the momentum was with the Blues.

They suddenly realised they could up the intensity. That if they offloaded from the tackle and ran straighter and with more purpose, then the Crusaders would open up.

There was also a greater urgency in the forwards, where the pick and go work forced the Crusaders to commit more to the breakdown and leave the flanks less cluttered.

The fascination was as much about watching the Blues grow as it was the Crusaders disintegrate. Dan Carter fell quiet and their pack's fire all but went out.

Tony Woodcock was able to burrow over from close range to bring the Blues into touching distance then Keven Mealamu closed the game when he dived over in the corner with eight minutes remaining.

The Blues should have scored minutes earlier had it not been for a brain explosion by Stephen Brett where he inexplicably chose to cross-field kick when the Blues had a 26-man overlap

Still, he had the composure to settle and keep his head in the game although he'll be troubled by his wayward kicking.

How troubled the Crusaders will be by this loss is debatable. They don't really panic and they know it is a long season. The other thing they have in their favour is a squad capable of producing when it really matters.

It's the culture, the solidarity and one-for-all, all-for-one ethos that is celebrated at the Crusaders, but too often their astute use of the cheque-book goes unclaimed.

They don't waste their money on solid plodders - players who become known as the glue. Those types don't win teams' matches - they just keep them in touch; competitive. The Crusaders produce those sorts themselves and buy-in the star quality, the X-Factor where they feel they need it.

Israel Dagg is a classic case in point. There is a touch of the genius about Dagg.

In a relatively quiet first half he made two contributions that created 12 points. Not only did he realise that Isaia Toeava had come to defend in the line after a double wrap around move pushed the ball to the right touchline - he managed to thread the perfect grubber for the chasing Sean Maitland.

At speed and under pressure that kind of skill execution is beyond most. He popped again just before half-time with an angled run that was reminiscent of David Campese against the All Blacks in the 1991 World Cup semifinal. Luck ultimately took the ball over the line but it was Dagg's ability to stretch the defence that was the key.

The initial break in the lead-up to the Crusaders' try was made by Robbie Fruean - another high impact import. Like Dagg, he'd been subdued until he spotted John Afoa in the midfield. Fruean blasted through the middle and looked to have another gear once he reached clear air.

It's the little moments that count. The teams that have line breakers and magicians who can throw miracle passes are the ones that tend to win.

Blues 24 (B. Stanley, T. Woodcock, K. Mealamu tries; S. Brett 3 pens). Crusaders 22 (S. Maitland, A. Ellis tries; D. Carter 4 pens).