Blues U20 v Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

[Stargazer]

First impression is that the Blues U20s seem to be at a lower skill level than the other teams. Positioning, passing, setpiece. Lots of handling errors already. They almost look like they're an age grade younger.

The Crusaders U20s lead 3 - 0 via a penalty goal from Jack Parker.

[Stargazer]

The Crusaders U20s are better in most areas, except that also handling errors are letting them down. Without them, they would have been more ahead on the score board. Their defence has been good.

[Stargazer]

The Blues U20s looked to pounce on a mistake from the Crusaders U20, via fullback Brady, but centre Lolohea knocks on.

[Stargazer]

Blues U20 captain Sititi looks promising. Great turnover, but the follow-up isn't great.

[Stargazer]

Great try to Blues loosie Frans, who slices through some weak defence from the Crusaders U20. Smith converts.

Blues U20 7 - 3 Crusaders U20.

[Stargazer]

Making errors is killing the Crusaders U20s.

[Stargazer]

Blues offside and then forward pass missed, but otherwise a great attack by the Blues U20s results in a try to Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo. Byron Smith converts again.

Blues U20 lead 14 - 3.

[Stargazer]

The momentum swing looks complete. Blues U20s dominating.

[Stargazer]

Wallace Sititi runs right though Crusaders LH prop Moli and dots down the third Blues U20 try.

Blues U20 19 - 3 Crusaders U20.

[Stargazer]

It's half time. The Blues U20s fully deserve their lead. They've totally passed on the error-making to the Crusaders U20 squad.

Only positive for Crusaders U20 now is that they dominate the scrum, but that doesn't help much if players knock the ball on in the next phases.

[Bovidae]

Sititi is much more prominent than Brial. Frans showed some pace too.

[Stargazer]

Good start to the 2nd half from the Blues U20s. Lock Allan Craig scores from the pick and go.

Blues U20 26 - 3 Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

Great individual effort from George Bell, who goes on a barnstorming run, steps and scores for the Crusaders U20s.
Parker converts.

Blues U20 26 - 10 Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

Great team try scored by Sam Hainsworth-Fa’aofo. Again weak defence from the Crusaders U20s.

After Smith's conversion it's 33 - 10 to the Blues U20s.

[Stargazer]

Great try to Nikola Vikena, who shows his speed. Unconverted.

Blues U20 33 - 15 Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

The Crusaders U20 scrum is completely dominant, but somehow they never seem to benefit from it. Officiating?

[Stargazer]

Blues U20s score after a driving maul. Jordan Hutchings's try goes unconverted.

Blues U20 38 - 15 Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

Great attack by Crusaders U20 reserve loosie Daniel Dixon, who passes to Macca Springer to score.

Blues U20 38 - 20 Crusaders U20

[Stargazer]

This ref isn't good. Fletcher Anderson penalised for ... nothing.

The replacement 10 Cameron Howell (?) scores the undeserved penalty.

Blues U20 41 - 20 Crusaders U20