The Blues have reignited their season with a 29-13 win over the Crusaders at Eden Park.

The hosts rebounded from last week’s narrow defeat at Canberra, putting themselves into the top four for the time being.

It was the Blues’ wingers in the action early as the hosts took a commanding 19-3 lead after 21 minutes.

All Black Caleb Clarke picked up where he left off last week, scoring twice in the first nine minutes.

It came after the Crusaders were reduced to 14 after a high shot from Dom Gardiner cancelled out Jamie Hannah’s try.

The Blues made the late switch to elevate Beauden Barrett into the starting side in his first appearance of 2026, and it paid dividends with one of the finishes of the year.

Barrett produced a stabbing kick for Codemeru Vai, who showed great athleticism to collect and put the ball down within inches of the in-goal sideline.

However, a yellow card to Clarke for a deliberate knock-down allowed the Crusaders to mount a late first-half charge to reduce the lead to six at the break.

Codie Taylor got their opening try of the game, followed over by Rivez Reihana, who started and ended an electric series after putting in the initial kick, before diving over from Noah Hotham’s flick pass.

Clarke returned to the field after the break and quickly made up for his infringement, completing his hat-trick and giving them a 12-point lead.

It allowed the hosts to control the rest of the contest as their defensive shutout any half-chance from the defending champions.

The Crusaders’ best chance came with ten minutes to go, with a clutch tackle dislodging the ball right under the posts.

Barrett’s late penalty put the result beyond doubt, ending a four-game drought at Eden Park against the Crusaders.

Meanwhile, it leaves the reigning premiers desperate for victory ahead of next week’s southern derby against the Highlanders, who earlier defeated the Western Force.

Blues 29 (Tries: Clarke 3, Vai; Cons: Barrett 3; Pens: Barrett) def Crusaders 13 (Tries: Taylor, Reihana; Pens: Reihana)

Teams:

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Stephen Perofeta, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (captain), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Che Clark, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Xavi Taele.

Crusaders: 15 Taha Kemara, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (captain), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Manumau Letiu, 17 Finay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Xavier Saifaloi, 22 Kyle Preston, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Marcus Playle, Louis Trisley
TMO: Aaron Paterson