The Crusaders hold a 17-6 lead over the Blues at half-time in their Super Rugby match at Eden Park.
A period of dominance throughout the middle of the half saw the Crusaders pile on two tries and a penalty, while the Blues hardly fired a shot after two early penalty goals.
Nemani Nadolo showed superb hands to score the first try. Taking a cross kick from Dan Carter, he reached back to juggle the ball from his left hand into his right, before diving over.
It was this try that gave the Crusaders a 7-6 lead after a Blues-dominated opening period, however it was all Crusaders for the next 20 minutes.
Throughout the middle of the half the Blues found themselves stuck on their own line, as the Crusaders continued to apply pressure and hammer away. The Blues defence scrambled well though and were let off with just a penalty at first.
Another try was inevitable though and when the Crusaders got back up the right end of the park, they applied pressure to prevent the Blues from clearing. This resulted in a quick throw five metres out from the line, where they proceded to catch the Blues defence unorganised and Luke Romano took a gap close in on the blindside.
The Blues fired back late in the half, having not threatened since the opening five minutes where they kicked two penalty goals after forcing the Crusaders to infringe close to their line. However they were not able to add to those, as a messy lineout prevented a maul attempt and a subsequent mistake from the back of a scrum saw the Crusaders hold on.
