Star Blues winger Jonah Lomu about to drag canterbury's Steve Surridge over the tryline.
1998 Ubix Rugby Super 12  March 27 at Lancaster Park, Christchurch
Auckland Blues	31
Tries: Jonah Lomu, Royce Willis, Caleb Ralph, Michael Jones
Cons: Adrian Cashmore (4)
Pens: Cashmore
Canterbury Crusaders	24
Tries: Tabai Matson, Daryl Gibson
Cons: Andrew Mehrtens
Pens: Mehrtens (4)
Halftime: AUC 24-9

Many members of the Auckland side tasted defeat twice at Lancaster Park late last season, and much of the pre-match publicity alluded to Canterbury's NPC domination. 

However it was the two-time defending champions who handled the pressure best - outscoring their opponents four tries to two, extending their unbeaten record against New Zealand teams in Super 12. 

The Blues pack produced the most assertive start of the series to date. A steady stream of quick, clean ball was turned into points in the 9th minute when All Black winger Jonah Lomu barged over the Crusaders line, carrying three opponents with him. Fullback Adrian Cashmore converted. 

The Crusaders response was immediate - Andrew Mehrtens, whose kicking from general play was badly astray in the opening exchanges, landing a simple penalty in the 12th minute. The All Black first-five added a second goal two minutes later, reducing the Blues' lead to one point. 

The Blues mounted a sustained assault on the Crusaders line and were rewarded in the 26th minute when halfback Spice fed Royce Willis, who had the relatively simple task of diving over untouched. 

Mehrtens and Cashmore traded penalties over the next 10 minutes before the Blues, as Auckland teams have done so often during their marvelous era, scored a crucial try just before halftime. 

Again Spice was in insitigator - breaking clean through the tail of the Crusaders lineout on his own 22. Api Naevo took and inside ball from his halfback on the halfway line, and fed quickly to Caleb Ralph, who had too much speed for the Crusaders cover. 

Cashmore converted and the Blues had a commanding 24-9 halftime lead. 

The capacity crowd came back to life when the Crusaders scored the first points of the second spell - a Mehrtens goal in the 47th minute. They were quickly silenced, however, as the Blues pack conjured up another try. 

A series of attacking scrums tired the Crusaders pack, and veteran All Black Michael Jones was able to barge over from No.8 to secure his side a bonus point. 

The large deficit forced the Crusaders to attack from all over the field and the tactics paid off in the 60th minute when centre Tabai Matson crossed in the corner for his team's first five pointer. 

The home team closed to within seven points when Daryl Gibson scored a try in the 73rd minute, but the Blues kept their composure in the closing stages to hold on for a much-deserved victory. 

Much of the credit for the win must go to coach Graham Henry, who caused a surprise by including Spice Willis and Ralph in his line-up - all of who had outstanding games. 

The victory lifts the champions to the top-of-the-table, although they will be overtaken by the winner of Sunday's match between the Hurricanes and the Sharks.