Blues Rugby

The 26-year-old, who has played 30 tests for the All Blacks, said he didn’t stop training after the World Cup in Japan, where he played four matches, including as a replacement in the semifinal defeat to England in Yokohama and bronze medal playoff victory over Wales in Tokyo.

The 20-year-old rookie, who missed two handy kicks late in the opening-round defeat to the Crusaders on the same ground, stepped up with time up, the scores locked at 22-22, and victory over the visiting Bulls on his right boot.

It was a tricky kick, after a high tackle on loose forward Tom Robinson near the sideline, but he looked confident enough. It was false optimism, as the kick faded right and the Blues ended with their first draw of the season to pretty much scupper their faint hopes of ending their eight-year playoff drought.

Mo'unga slotted four penalties and provided a deft chip kick over the defensive line that led to Bryn Hall's first half try in a stop-start match that never really got any flow on.

Blues counterpart Harry Plummer kicked two penalties for the visitors, who struggled in the set piece and did not threaten the Crusaders' line until Rieko Ioane crossed in the 71st minute.

The Crusaders moved to 53 points with the victory, 13 ahead of the second-placed Hurricanes, who have a bye this week

The Blues' 23-8, four tries to one, victory ended a 15-match unbeaten streak from the Chiefs against their northern neighbours dating back to 2011. It has also breathed life back into the Auckland outfit's faltering season after they had lost their previous four to slip all but out of the playoff race.

It did not look promising when the Blues bumbled their way through the opening quarter to trail 5-0, but eventually they worked into a 10-8 halftime lead and closed the deal well with two crucial second-half tries to forwards Ofa Tu'ungafasi and Gerard Cowley-Tuioti.