Blues

The Blues will endeavour to upset a Crusaders outfit who command a superlative post-season record at home.

And with the injury-decimated hosts looking vulnerable on paper, there is an expectation the northerners will look to unsettle the red and black machine in Christchurch.

Hurricanes and All Blacks hooker Dane Coles served up a push-button masterclass against the Crusaders a fortnight ago during the regular season's final weekend.

Barrett expects something similar on Friday night.

Blues coach Leon MacDonald is also looking for final bragging rights over his great mate Scott Robertson before the pair link up to lead the All Blacks.

The two will go head to head as the Crusaders and Blues square off in the Super Rugby semi final.

The Crusaders are unbeaten in Super Rugby play off games at home and MacDonald said his side will need to play close to the perfect game to end the dynasty in Christchurch.

"The challenge of going down there and potentially breaking that record, that's a big carrot and great motivation for us."

The Hurricanes were completely outplayed in the first 30 minutes but did well to get back in the game to trail the home side 19-10 at half time.

Their cause wasn't helped when Julian Savea had to leave the field early with an injury.

A high octane final 10 minutes saw four tries scored.

It started when Kini Naholo crossed the line for the Hurricanes to get within four points of the Blues.

But a couple of minutes later Reiko Ioane replied for the Blues.

Naholo then got his second try but Talea put it out of doubt when he crossed for his fourth.

The first half was a physical arm wrestle with both sides held scoreless for the first 29 minutes.

The Crusaders broke through for their opening try from Quinten Strange on the half hour mark with plenty of power and work from CodieTaylor in the set-up.

The first chance for points for the Blues came from the boot of Beauden Barrett who slotted a penalty.

With points hard to come by, the home side took the three as Richie Mo'unga converted a penalty before the half-time break.

The Crusaders held a narrow 10-3 lead heading into the changing sheds.

With the race for a top four spot in the playoffs heating up, this weekend’s clash between the two New Zealand rivals means even more.

Defending champions the Crusaders, who beat the Blues in a tight tussle earlier in the season, will host the competitions third-ranked side at Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch, on Saturday.

The Crusaders are fourth, and risk falling behind the Hurricanes and into fifth on the ladder if they fail to beat the Blues.

Following nine straight losses, Moana Pasifika were pipped in the final seconds in the one point thriller, to remain winless for the season.

Down by six points with time up, the Blues were awarded a penalty try from a scrum in the last play of the game.

Blues captain Dalton Papali'i said it was a considerable effort to come away with the win, despite being below their best.

"There's a bit of mixed emotions, we knew Moana was going to come here and bring it to us," he said.

With dominance in the forward pack, at the set piece, and with relentless defence, the visitors' contained the Drua's pace and flair.

Overcoming a slow start, the Auckland side brushed aside a number of handling errors exacerbated by the hot and humid conditions to lead 20-7 at halftime.

First-five Barrett kicked a penalty to open the scoring after 25 minutes when neither side posted any points on the scoreboard.

Then Rieko Ioane opened the try-scoring for the Blues, before the Drua, supported by a vocal home crowd, hit back through No.8 Elia Canakaivata.

Fullback Perofeta was feeling his shoulder while Laulala incurred a calf problem during the 55-21 win at Eden Park on Saturday.

Coach Leon Macdonald is hoping the damage isn't too serious.

"Both look relatively significant," he told journalists.

"Stevey felt his shoulder move a little bit so we need to get a scan on that. I think he's done something to that shoulder in the past so he'll be sweating on that.

"And Nepo's calf doesn't look 100 percent great as well."

The Blues, who dominated the regular season last year, have already suffered two losses and turned in an unconvincing performance in their round five win over Western Force, albeit after a stomach bug had ripped through the squad.

Fourth in the standings behind the Chiefs, Hurricanes and ACT Brumbies, the Blues welcome back All Blacks lock Patrick Tuipulotu for a match in which they could make a season-defining statement.

"The Chiefs have been the form side so far this season," said Blues captain Dalton Papalii, looking forward to Saturday's clash.

That was the last time the Blues won the championship – 20 long years ago – but this match, won by the Crusaders 34-28, was a throwback to those times when this competition really meant something.

This, the Blues' first home game of the season, was ill-tempered, intense and highly relevant to the hopes of both teams.

In an extraordinary twist as the minutes ticked down, Blues’ lock James Tucker and No.8 Hoskins Sotutu were over for tries awarded by referee James Coleman but replays showed both lost the ball in the act of scoring.