Crusaders' success contrasts with Blues' struggles in Super Rugby

Rob Penney and Vern Cotter, the coaches of the Crusaders and Blues, have switched places over the past year. After the Crusaders beat the Blues 42-19 at Eden Park, their attitudes reflected their teams' performances. Vern Cotter, once praised for fixing the Blues' problems, now faces a tough situation after five losses. He expressed disappointment in his team’s inability to control the game. "We couldn't construct, we couldn't build," he said. The Blues struggled with ball possession and defense, leading to a defeat that felt overwhelming by halftime. In contrast, Rob Penney is in high spirits, celebrating his team’s impressive recent form. The Crusaders have scored 140 points in their last three games, a huge improvement from last year. "All you're ever after is for the boys to express themselves," Penney said. He noted that despite injuries, the team is performing well and showing depth. Crusaders captain David Havili highlighted the strong talent in their backline, mentioning experienced players like James O'Connor and Will Jordan. The current success has boosted team morale, and they are now in second place in the standings. Next week, the Crusaders can move to first place with a win over Moana Pasifika. Meanwhile, the Blues face uncertainty during their bye week and could drop to last place depending on other teams' performances.