Blues beat Crusaders for first time in 10 years, Chiefs survive late scare

The Blues beat the Crusaders for the first time in 10 years on Saturday, consigning the seven-in-a-row champion to a stunning 0-5 start to the season.

Auckland broke the game open in the second half after going to the break 9-6 ahead. In an earlier game the Chiefs moved to 4-1 in 2024 by overcoming a spirited effort from 14 man Highlanders.

On back of a dominant second period the Blues won 26-6.

The Crusaders’ injury woes continued with All Balck and stand-in captain David Havili forced off with injury.

In just their second win over the Crusaders in 21, skipper Patrick Tuipulotu was impressive in his 100th game.

All Blacks prop Ofa Tu’ungafasi scored a key second-half try while the loose trio of Dalton Papali’i , Akira Ioane and Hoskins Sotutu were dominant.

The Crusaders have the Chiefs up next and will be favoured to slip to 0-6.

The Chiefs beat the Highlanders 28-21, holding on as the Landers came close to forcing the game to golden point despite being down to 14 for 20 minutes with the sending off of Tanielu Tele’a in the 39th minute with his team 14-0 down.

He was yellow carded for head on head contact after entering a ruck upright and smashing into Quinn Tupaea and it was upgraded on review.

The Chiefs went to a 28-0 lead but lost their way with the withdrawal of Damian McKenzie and the Highlanders scored the last 21 points.