Crusaders Survive Bruising Blues Encounter

The Crusaders have survived another brutal New Zealand derby to pull three points clear at the top of the local Super Rugby conference.

The red and blacks have rallied from five points down at halftime to beat the Blues 26-21 at Eden Park.

Coach Todd Blackadder says it was a gruelling battle. The Blues showed that at the contact they were the dominant side, but he's praising his team for their efforts in fighting back.

While disappointed with the result, Blues coach Tana Umaga has applauded the overall defensive effort of his team.

He says they held in there for a long time, but just let them off the hook a couple of times which they were made to pay for.

The Lions are a clear second on the overall ladder after thumping the Bulls 56-20 in Pretoria, while the Stormers top the other South African conference after downing the Cheetahs 31-24 in Cape Town.

The Brumbies have thumped the Sunwolves 66-5 in Canberra to head into the June international break with the lead in the Australian conference

Radio Sport