The Crusaders mounted a stunning comeback from a 14-0 deficit to win 21-14 and reach their 17th Super Rugby final on June 13, 2025. Here’s the full recap and how to watch.
Final Score: Crusaders 21-14 Blues ·
Date: June 13, 2025 ·
Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch ·
Competition: Super Rugby Pacific Semi-Final
Quick snapshot
- Final Score: Crusaders 21-14 Blues (Crusaders (official team site))
- Date: June 13, 2025 (Crusaders (official team site))
- Venue: Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch (Crusaders (official team site))
- Exact attendance figures for the semi-final
- Which international broadcasters carried the match
- Final venue for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific final
- March 14, 2025: Blues 29-13 Crusaders (Round 3) (Reuters (international news agency))
- April 18, 2025: Crusaders 36-20 Blues (Round 10) (Reuters (international news agency))
- June 13, 2025: Crusaders 21-14 Blues (Semi-Final) (Reuters (international news agency))
- Crusaders advance to the Super Rugby Pacific final
- Blues’ season ends after defending championship
- Final opponent and venue TBD
Four key facts from the semi-final, one pattern: the Crusaders’ defensive grit after a 14-point deficit.
| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Date | June 13, 2025 |
| Venue | Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch |
| Final Score | Crusaders 21-14 Blues |
| Competition | Super Rugby Pacific Semi-Final |
| Halftime Score | 14-14 |
| Referee | James Doleman |
| Crusaders Tries | Tom Christie, Will Jordan (2) |
| Blues Tries | Mark Tele’a, Rieko Ioane |
| Conversions | Crusaders 3/3, Blues 2/2 |
| Blues Carries | 144 |
| Crusaders Carries | 118 |
| Blues Tackles | 203 |
| Crusaders Tackles | 146 |
The implication: the Crusaders absorbed more pressure but converted opportunities with higher efficiency.
Where can I watch Blues vs Crusaders?
Where to watch on TV
In New Zealand, the semi-final was broadcast live on Sky Sport 1. Sky Sport holds the broadcast rights for Super Rugby Pacific in New Zealand, as confirmed by Super Rugby Pacific (official league site). For viewers in Australia, the match was available on Stan Sport, according to Flicks Australia (TV-guide service).
Streaming options
- Sky Sport subscribers can stream via Sky Go, the official streaming platform.
- The match was also available on the Super Rugby Pacific website for authenticated viewers.
- International streaming options vary by region; check local broadcaster listings.
International broadcasters
Outside New Zealand and Australia, the semi-final was carried by a mix of broadcasters including Stan Sport (Australia) and local sports networks. Exact channel listings for other regions were not widely published in advance.
For viewers outside New Zealand and Australia, the lack of a single global streaming partner means checking local sports rights holders remains the only reliable route.
The implication: fans outside these regions need to verify local availability.
What was the score of Blues vs Crusaders 2025?
Semi-final result
The Crusaders won 21-14 in a tense semifinal at Apollo Projects Stadium. According to Reuters (international news agency), the Blues led 14-0 before the Crusaders mounted a comeback. At halftime the score was tied 14-14, as reported by Go Peak Rugby (rugby fan blog).
Regular season results
Earlier in the season, the two teams met twice. On March 14, 2025, the Blues won 29-13. On April 18, 2025, the Crusaders won 36-20. Both results are recorded in the official Super Rugby Pacific match schedule, per Super Rugby Pacific (official league site).
The pattern: after two regular-season splits, the Crusaders edged the decisive knockout.
How to watch Super Rugby semi finals?
TV broadcast details
All Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals were broadcast on Sky Sport in New Zealand and on Stan Sport in Australia. The kickoff time for the Crusaders vs Blues match was 7:05 PM local time, according to the official match listing on Rugby.com.au (official rugby union site in Australia).
Streaming platforms
Streaming was available via Sky Go (New Zealand) and Stan Sport (Australia). The Super Rugby Pacific website also provided match highlights and on-demand replays. The Crusaders’ official site explicitly directed fans to the highlights video, as noted in their match report.
Match times
The semi-final kicked off at 19:05 local time on Friday, June 13. For viewers in Australia (AEST), that was 17:05. Check local time zone converters for other regions.
For fans who missed the live broadcast, the availability of official highlights on YouTube (published June 13, 2025) means the match can still be experienced in condensed form.
The takeaway: highlights are available for those who missed the live broadcast.
Is Super Rugby 2026 on TV?
Yes. Sky Sport will continue to broadcast Super Rugby Pacific in 2026, celebrating 30 years of Super Rugby coverage. The long-term broadcasting agreement between Sky Sport and New Zealand Rugby ensures ongoing coverage, as reported by Super Rugby Pacific (official league site). International availability details for 2026 have not yet been announced, but existing broadcast partners (Stan Sport in Australia, etc.) are expected to renew.
The implication: fans can plan for another season of accessible live coverage, though streaming options may expand.
Which country has the most Super Rugby titles?
New Zealand leads Super Rugby title counts with 13 titles as of 2025, according to historical records maintained by Super Rugby Pacific (official league site). New Zealand teams have dominated the competition, with the Crusaders alone holding the most titles among individual franchises. The Blues, as defending champions in 2025, have won multiple titles but remain behind the overall New Zealand tally.
The trade-off: while New Zealand’s dominance is clear, the rise of Australian and Pacific Islander teams in recent years has narrowed the gap in individual matchups.
Title count by country
- New Zealand: 13 titles
- Australia: 3 titles
- South Africa: 1 title (prior to leaving Super Rugby)
Data from Super Rugby Pacific (official league site).
Comparison: Blues vs Crusaders 2025 season matchups
Three meetings, three different outcomes — the pattern reveals a team that learned from early losses.
| Match | Date | Venue | Score | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Round 3 | March 14, 2025 | Eden Park, Auckland | 29-13 | Blues |
| Round 10 | April 18, 2025 | Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch | 36-20 | Crusaders |
| Semi-Final | June 13, 2025 | Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch | 21-14 | Crusaders |
The catch: the Crusaders’ home advantage in the semi-final may have been decisive, but their ability to close out a tight game after trailing 14-0 suggests defensive maturity.
How to watch: A step-by-step guide
- Check your region’s broadcaster. In New Zealand, Sky Sport. In Australia, Stan Sport. For other regions, consult local sports listings.
- Confirm the match time. Semi-finals kick off at 19:05 NZST. Use a time zone converter for your location.
- Access streaming. Sky Go for NZ subscribers; Stan Sport for Australian subscribers. The Super Rugby Pacific website may offer replays.
- Watch highlights. Official YouTube highlights are available for the Crusaders vs Blues semi-final.
- Set reminders for the final. The Crusaders advanced to the final; follow Super Rugby Pacific for date and venue.
For more details on the semi-final lineups, see the official team announcement.
The pattern: following these steps ensures you don’t miss the action.
Match timeline
- March 14, 2025: Blues 29-13 Crusaders (Round 3) (Reuters (international news agency))
- April 18, 2025: Crusaders 36-20 Blues (Round 10) (Super Rugby Pacific (official league site))
- June 13, 2025: Crusaders 21-14 Blues (Semi-Final) (Reuters (international news agency))
The timeline shows a steady improvement from the Crusaders over the season.
What we know — and what remains unclear
Confirmed facts
- Semi-final score and date (Crusaders 21-14 Blues, June 13, 2025) — Crusaders
- Regular season results (March 14 and April 18) — Super Rugby Pacific
- Broadcast rights held by Sky Sport in New Zealand — Super Rugby Pacific
What’s unclear
- Exact broadcast channels for international viewers
- Attendance figures for the semi-final
- Final venue for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific final
The summary: confirmed facts are solid, but some details remain unconfirmed.
“The Blues led 14-0 before the Crusaders mounted a comeback to win 21-14.”
Reuters (international news agency)
“The Crusaders secured their place in the 17th Super Rugby final.”
Crusaders (official team site)
The Crusaders’ defensive resilience, especially after trailing 14-0, proved decisive. For New Zealand rugby fans, the final promises a clash between the most successful franchise and a hungry opponent. For the Blues, the season ends with questions about how to close out leads when it matters most.
youtube.com, youtube.com, allthingsrugby.com, youtube.com, super.rugby, crusaders.co.nz
Frequently asked questions
Who scored for the Crusaders in the semi-final?
Tom Christie scored one try and Will Jordan scored two tries, according to Reuters.
What was the crowd attendance at the semi-final?
Attendance figures were not officially reported for this match.
Where can I find match highlights?
Official highlights are available on YouTube and the Super Rugby Pacific website. The Crusaders’ match report also links to the video.
How did the Blues perform in the regular season against the Crusaders?
The Blues won 29-13 in Round 3 and lost 36-20 in Round 10.
What was the kickoff time for the semi-final?
Kickoff was at 19:05 NZST on June 13, 2025.
Which channel broadcast the match in Australia?
The match was broadcast on Stan Sport, according to Flicks Australia.
What is the head-to-head record between Blues and Crusaders in 2025?
Blues won 1, Crusaders won 2 (including the semi-final).