Crotty dots down for try number one, after a first quarter dominated by the Blues. The visitors, locked in their own half, choose to boot downfield. Noakes is fed the ball in mid-field and attempts the kick, but Crotty shoots out of the line and blocks down. Crotty scampers after the ball as it trickles towards the try-line, recovers and touches down.

Blues racking up a huge amount of possession in this first quarter, pinning the Crusaders into their own half. But the home side draw first blood when Ali Williams handles in the ruck and gifts Taylor with the kick. Taylor makes no mistakes from a comfortable position. On a side note, Crusaders' line-out misfiring tonight, while the Blues' is looking strong.

@Barry, Agreed. This Match is flowing particularly well under Jackson.

Glen Jackson is fast becoming a very very good referee.

Terrific period of play in the 13th minute. Blues turnover inside their twenty-two and zip the ball wide to Ranger. Ranger barrels down the wing, bulldozing through Taylor's challenge before being dragged to ground. The support is slow in coming, and the Romano steals possession before bolting down the wing with impressive pace before being cut down in the opposition twenty-two. The ball squirts out of the ruck into Blue hands and is cleared into touch. Missed opportunities from both teams.

The first penalty of the game comes after nine minutes of play when a Blue player fails to release following the tackle. Crusaders opt for the posts from half way, and Taylor steps up to kick. No luck however. Dan Carter looks on..

The match kicks off at a frantic pace. Blues rack up a number of phases in the Crusaders' half. The home side absorb the pressure with a solid defensive effort, and eventually the Blues are bundled into touch and Crusaders earn some possession.. Strong start from the Blues.

Late Crusader Replacement: Corey Flynn tweaks his hamstring in the warm-up and has to drop out. Funnell fills in.

Tonight the two most successful teams in New Zealand renew their rivalry.This match is sure to be a thriller with a whopping 17 players in the All Blacks training squad playing tonight.Crusaders enter the match on the back of five straight wins and will be lifted by the return of their inspiring captain, Kieran Read. Winning at the AMI Stadium will be no mean feat, and the way the Blues leaked points against the Rebels would have worried boss Sir John Kirwan. Kick-off on the way!