'We're in a better spot now': Blues captain still hopeful after tight defeat

The Blues travelled to Christchurch to take on the Crusaders with high hopes on Friday night, after back-to-back wins for the first time in Super Rugby Pacific 2025. 

But the Crusaders had other ideas, winning the round ten encounter with the last kick of the game, as replacement playmaker James O’Connor successfully kicked a penalty after a dominant scrum victory. 

Rob Penney and the Crusaders sit top of the Super Rugby Pacific table, winning seven of their nine matches so far this season. Vern Cotter and the Blues move up to eighth place after a bonus point in Christchurch.

Despite the loss, Blues captain and All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu admits the performance is something to build on.

“It was a game of fine margins and we can be proud of our effort. I think we had to be physical and I think Crusaders did that, especially around our breakdown and crucial times down in their half, we didn’t capitalize,” Tuipulotu told Jeff Wilson from Sky Sport after the match on Friday evening.

“But we’ve got to be proud and build on this.”

Tuipulotu says his team have improved their performance over the past couple of weeks and having experience like Beauden Barrett has helped massively.

“I think it’s positive for us, we’re getting things right and I feel like we were completing sets.

“We were getting good go forward and I think just our game management because having Beauden there, especially on our kicking game, helps us.

“I think we saw we got some reward in terms of kicking the ball down in that area.”

The 51-Test All Black believes his side will come back stronger next week against the Reds in Brisbane.

“I think it’s important for us to go back and sort of build on that. We can’t really get into our shells now, just because of a close loss, it really matters to us, and I think we’ll sort of get close tonight and regroup and come back stronger on Monday.”

Tuipulotu explains that Blues head coach Vern Cotter has had simple instructions throughout this tough period, telling his players to stick to the game plan.

“Yeah, it’s been pretty crucial. I think Vern has been pretty good in the last few weeks, just around saying less is more for us, and I think we’re overplaying, doing too much before, but I think we’re in a good spot now.”