Former NRL star Zac Lomax has signed a two-year deal with the Western Force and Rugby Australia, effective immediately, as he pursues his ambition of representing the Wallabies at the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Key points:

• Zac Lomax signs two-year deal with Western Force and Rugby Australia, effective immediately
• The 26-year-old could debut against Chiefs on 28 March after Force’s bye week
• Lomax returns to rugby union after 11 years, last playing the sport at age 15
• Deal worth approximately A$400,000 per season, roughly half his Parramatta contract
• Becomes fourth high-profile NRL player to switch codes ahead of 2027 World Cup
• Played 133 NRL games, represented NSW in State of Origin and Australia at Test level

The 26-year-old outside back becomes the fourth high-profile rugby league player to commit to the 15-man game ahead of Australia’s hosting of the global tournament, following Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Mark Nawaqanitawase and Angus Crichton in making the code switch.

Lomax, who represented New South Wales in State of Origin and Australia at Test level during 133 NRL appearances, will join the Force in Perth this week and could make his Super Rugby Pacific debut against the Chiefs on 28 March following the team’s bye week.

The Temora-born flyer returns to rugby union after playing the sport at junior representative level for NSW until age 15, before embarking on a successful rugby league career with St George Illawarra Dragons and Parramatta Eels that included State of Origin selection in 2024 and three Kangaroos Test caps.

“I’m incredibly excited and thankful to be joining the Western Force after reaching an agreement with Rugby Australia to make the switch to rugby union,” Lomax said in a statement released by Rugby Australia. “This is a huge opportunity and a challenge I’m really looking forward to embracing. Stepping into a new code will push me as a player and that’s something that genuinely motivates me.”

The signing comes after a tumultuous period for Lomax, who was released by Parramatta in November to pursue opportunities with the now-delayed rebel R360 competition. When that competition postponed its launch until 2028, Lomax found himself in limbo, with the Eels blocking his proposed transfer to Melbourne Storm in the NSW Supreme Court last week.

However, at Tuesday’s press conference in Sydney, Lomax insisted he had no regrets about his career decisions and was focused solely on the challenge ahead in Perth.

“It’s me that’s made the decisions and it’s me that has the consequences,” Lomax told reporters at Rugby Australia headquarters. “I’ve been so thankful and grateful for everything that rugby league has given me, but this is the future and I’m leaving at the peak of my career in rugby league terms. That motivates me to start building the game from the ground up as a player.”

Lomax was candid about the scale of the challenge facing him, having last played rugby union more than a decade ago. “I know it’s a mountain that I’m at the bottom of and I really want to climb and become the best rugby union player that I possibly can,” he said. “Realistically, there’s so much that I need to learn. I’m a novice to the game.”

Force head coach Simon Cron expressed confidence in Lomax’s ability to adapt quickly to the demands of Super Rugby Pacific. “Zac and Kayla came to Perth late last year and we spent some time together talking about the Force and how we want to play,” Cron said. “He has remained in contact during the process and has always been extremely enthusiastic about the opportunity of joining the players who have chosen Perth as their home.”

Lomax revealed that Wallabies prop Angus Bell played a crucial role in his decision to switch codes. “I’m really close mates with Angus Bell, actually. I’ve been in real close contact with him throughout the whole process,” Lomax explained. “We’re managed by the same people, and he’s a real good friend of mine, so he was a big factor as to what I wanted to go over to. Their take on the game is always really good, and they love how rugby union is run along with the travel.”

Bell has emerged as something of a league whisperer, having previously guided Suaalii’s transition to rugby union after the pair played school football together before the former Rooster joined the Waratahs.

Rugby Australia chief executive Phil Waugh welcomed the acquisition as part of the organisation’s strategic preparation for the 2027 World Cup. “Zac is a superb athlete with a proven track record at representative level in rugby league and we believe he has the talent and drive to make a successful transition to rugby,” Waugh stated. “We have entered an incredibly exciting period for Australian Rugby and Zac now has the opportunity to make a strong impression in Super Rugby Pacific and push for higher honours as we approach a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.”

Waugh also issued a rallying cry to fans of Australia’s other football codes, urging them to get behind the Wallabies’ World Cup campaign. “I’ve often said, we want to get the whole country behind rugby in this country as we go forward to the World Cup,” Waugh told reporters. “If you follow AFL, NRL, we want everyone behind the Wallabies as we go through to 2027.”

The signing has been framed by Rugby Australia as a disciplined financial decision rather than a desperate spending spree. “We’ve been really disciplined right across the organisation for a number of years now to ensure that the game’s financially sustainable,” Waugh explained. “As we look at our overall cost envelope, we need to ensure that we’re disciplined in how we spend that.”

Lomax’s deal, reported to be worth approximately A$400,000 per season, represents roughly half the value of his Parramatta contract but provides him with the opportunity to compete on rugby’s global stage.

Rugby Australia Director of High Performance Peter Horne emphasised the strategic importance of building depth across Australian rugby ahead of the World Cup. “Building depth across Australian Rugby has been a priority as we build towards next year’s home Rugby World Cup and the addition of Zac is a positive development for our system,” Horne said. “Zac is embracing the challenge of playing a new code, albeit one he has played before at a junior level, and the opportunity to take his talents to a worldwide audience.”

At 190 centimetres and 105 kilograms, Lomax brings considerable physical attributes to the Force backline. Western Force coach Cron indicated the powerful runner would initially be deployed at fullback or on the wing, though his versatility could see him feature across the back three.

Lomax addressed criticism from rugby league circles regarding his comment that rugby union is a “truly global sport”, insisting it was not intended as a slight against his former code. “Comments can be taken many different ways, but for me, it’s the reality that rugby is a truly global sport,” he explained. “It’s played in more than 100 different countries, and that’s something that absolutely attracts me as a player. The travel that they do around the world – everyone that I speak to in regards to rugby and playing for the Wallabies, that’s the first thing that makes their eyes light up.”

Beyond his try-scoring ability and powerful running game, Lomax offers valuable goal-kicking prowess, maintaining a 78 per cent accuracy rate throughout his NRL career. This skill could prove invaluable for both the Force and potentially the Wallabies, who ranked ninth among tier-one nations for try conversions in 2025 with just 72.9 per cent success.

Lomax joins a Western Force squad that includes former All Black George Bridge and 95-Test Wallaby Kurtley Beale as the Perth-based franchise continues building towards finals contention in Super Rugby Pacific.

The code-hopper acknowledged the significant learning curve ahead but expressed enthusiasm about the growth opportunity. “I know I’ve got a lot to learn, and that’s something that truly excites me, the growth in rugby union player that I could potentially become,” Lomax said. “I’ve put all my faith in Crony and the team over there at Western Force and I can’t wait to be a part of it.”

For Lomax, the ultimate goal remains clear: representing Australia at the 2027 Rugby World Cup and potentially becoming a dual international. “Anyone who plays rugby union would be lying to you if they told you they didn’t want to play for their country. That’s your highest honour,” he stated. “For me, a home World Cup is massive. Hopefully to one day be a dual international is something that I would absolutely be proud of.”

The Wallabies, under new coach Les Kiss following Joe Schmidt’s departure, face a significant challenge to transform their fortunes ahead of the World Cup. After a promising start to 2025 that included series victories over the British and Irish Lions and a historic win over South Africa at Ellis Park, Australia lost seven of their final eight Tests, including a winless tour of Europe.

Lomax will compete for selection in a crowded Wallabies back three that includes the electrifying Max Jorgensen, returning star Nawaqanitawase, Dylan Pietsch and the brilliant Tom Wright, whose ACL injury robbed Australia of their most potent attacking weapon during last year’s autumn internationals.

The Wallabies will host Ireland, France and Italy in July as part of the Nations Championship before travelling to face England, Scotland and Wales in November, providing Lomax with ample opportunity to stake his claim for World Cup selection.

With Suaalii thriving in the centres, Crichton set to arrive at the Waratahs in 2027, Nawaqanitawase returning from Japan, and now Lomax joining the Force immediately, Rugby Australia’s strategy of targeting rugby league players with union backgrounds appears designed to replicate the success of the 2003 World Cup team, which featured a back three of league converts in Mat Rogers, Lote Tuqiri and Wendell Sailor.

As Lomax prepares to fly to Perth this week, Western Force supporters will eagerly anticipate his arrival, hopeful that the powerful runner’s athleticism, goal-kicking prowess and fierce competitiveness can help drive their team towards finals football whilst simultaneously positioning himself for Wallabies selection in what shapes as a defining period for Australian rugby.

Carter Gordon scored with the last play of the match to seal a dramatic 34–31 victory for the Queensland Reds over the ACT Brumbies at a storm-delayed GIO Stadium, ending Queensland’s five-game losing streak against their Australian rivals.

The Brumbies looked home and hosed leading 31–20 with barely a minute remaining, but two tries in the final two minutes — the first to Filipo Daugunu and the second to Gordon in the 82nd minute — completed one of the great comebacks in Super Rugby Pacific history.

The match was delayed by 85 minutes due to a spectacular lightning storm around Canberra, with multiple strikes within 10km of the stadium forcing repeated postponements. When play finally got underway at 9pm local time, the drama on the field more than made up for the wait.

“We didn’t start that well but certainly worked our way back into the game in the first half in pretty good fashion,” Reds head coach Les Kiss said. “To finish like we did at the back end of the game after all the shenanigans early was special from the boys.”

The hosts raced to a 12–0 lead inside nine minutes. Lachie Shaw powered over from the back of a maul after the Reds dropped the restart and conceded a scrum penalty, before Charlie Cale continued his stunning season by racing down the tramline after good work from wingers Kye Oates and Hudson Creighton.

But the Reds found their groove through two quality tries. First, Harry Wilson produced a beauty of an offload in contact to put winger Lachie Anderson over near the corner. Then came the try of the match — a sweeping move down the left that involved Carter Gordon, centre Isaac Henry, Wilson and flanker Fraser McReight before Josh Flook scooted over untouched to give the visitors a 17–12 lead.

Cale struck again with his second of the evening after a persistent Brumbies attack, but Louis Werchon’s penalty on the stroke of half-time gave the Reds a 20–19 advantage at the break — the third lead change of a pulsating first 40 minutes.

The second half became a battle of attrition as both sides struggled to put phases together. The Reds coughed up 18 turnovers to the Brumbies’ 13, and Kiss’s side found themselves unable to crack the hosts’ rigid defence.

Fullback Andy Muirhead crashed over to restore the Brumbies’ lead in the 62nd minute after they turned down an easy three points, backing themselves from five metres out. Then Luke Reimer appeared to have sealed the victory when he latched onto a pinpoint crossfield kick from Tane Edmed with 10 minutes remaining, diving over from close range to push the lead to 31–20.

But the Reds refused to die. With less than two minutes on the clock, Daugunu picked from the base of the ruck near the posts and expertly kept his knees up, rolling off a defender and over the line. Werchon converted to make it 31–27.

What followed was chaos. Jock Campbell fielded the restart deep in his own quarter and produced a superb 45-metre break, beating several defenders before kicking ahead for rookie Treyvon Pritchard. Muirhead scrambled back desperately but Pritchard threw it back inside and the Brumbies knocked on, giving the Reds a five-metre scrum.

The Brumbies’ front row disintegrated under the pressure, conceding a penalty. The Reds called for another scrum, then went again. From the ruck, Werchon fed Gordon, who angled a run towards the corner, skinned opposite number Edmed, and dived over to complete the heist.

“We didn’t spend a lot of time up on the Brumbies tryline so for Carter to take the bull by the horns in that moment was certainly very good for us and him for sure,” Kiss said.

Gordon’s heroics capped a remarkable return to rugby union. The former Wallabies playmaker only played his first competition game since 2024 last Friday after a stint with Gold Coast in the NRL. In a nice touch on Club Rugby Round, Gordon wore a sock each from the two clubs that shaped him — Sunshine Coast Grammar and Wests.

The result was not without controversy. Television replays suggested Daugunu may have knocked on from the kick-off after his try, with the ball appearing to touch McReight in an offside position. But the officials allowed play to continue, setting up Gordon’s match-winner.

“That’s a shocker,” former Wallaby Justin Harrison said on the Stan Sport broadcast.

The loss put a dampener on what should have been a milestone night for James Slipper, who equalled Wyatt Crockett’s record of 202 Super Rugby Pacific appearances.

“There’s not much to say,” Slipper said. “I’m obviously very proud to get to 202 games, but mate, I’d trade it all in to get a result tonight. Just the way that unfolded there, kind of put a dampener on things.”

For the Brumbies, it was a cruel reversal of fortune after they had come from behind to beat the Blues in similar fashion last week. Cale’s two tries took his season tally to seven in four games, continuing his push for a Wallabies recall.

“It’s tough. We got the better end of the stick last week against the Blues in a very similar situation,” Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham said. “There’s nothing much we can do about it now. There was certainly some good stuff in the game and some good performances.”

The Reds will sweat on the fitness of Anderson, who was taken to hospital with an arm injury. His early departure handed 18-year-old Pritchard an extended debut of 64 minutes on the wing — including one moment where he beat the tackle of his elder brother Kadin, playing in the Brumbies’ centres.

“Treyvon has been impressive for the past six months,” Kiss said. “He’s a great lad and he’ll only be better for that outing.”

The Reds return home to face the Waratahs at Suncorp Stadium next Saturday, while the Brumbies travel to Fiji to take on the Drua.

Key moments

3 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Perfect start for the hosts. The Reds drop the restart and the Brumbies win the scrum penalty, setting up a five-metre lineout. Lachie Shaw picks and goes off the back of the maul and powers over just left of the posts. Ryan Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 7–0)

9 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Charlie Cale’s red-hot form continues. The Brumbies bounce infield off the lineout with players in motion. Kye Oates finds space on the right edge and pops it outside for Cale, who races down the tramline and dots down in the corner. Lonergan misses from wide. (Brumbies 12–0)

15 mins – TRY REDS: The Reds hit back through Lachie Anderson. Harry Wilson produces a beauty of an offload in contact, finding Anderson who pumps his legs and powers over near the corner. Louis Werchon converts. (Brumbies 12–7)

17 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Declan Meredith appears to score after scooping up a loose ball from a Fraser McReight turnover, but the TMO spots a knock-on in the lead-up. The Reds survive.

22 mins – PENALTY REDS: Werchon slots from in front after the Brumbies are pinged for offside. (Brumbies 12–10)

28 mins – TRY REDS: Silky hands from the Reds as they work it down the left from the Brumbies’ 10. Jock Campbell gets it away quickly for Filipo Daugunu, who pops it outside for Wilson. The Wallabies captain fires a quick ball inside for Josh Flook, who races in the last 15 metres untouched. Werchon converts. (Brumbies 12–17)

36 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Cale gets his double! The Brumbies set up the attacking lineout and push forward with the maul. Billy Pollard has a dash but is short, then Cale picks and goes with power and muscles it down 10 metres in from the left touchline. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 19–17)

40+1 mins – PENALTY REDS: The Reds steal the lead on the siren. David Feliuai is pinged for killing the ruck and Werchon slots from 35 metres, just left of centre. (Brumbies 19–20)

Half-time: Brumbies 19–20 Reds. A cracker of a first half with both sides showing plenty of adventure. The Brumbies raced to a 12–0 lead through Shaw and Cale before the Reds hit back with tries to Anderson and Flook. Cale’s second restored the hosts’ lead, but Werchon’s penalty on the siren gave Queensland a one-point advantage at the break.

46 mins – CLOSE CALL: Lonergan makes up serious ground to stop Kalani Thomas after a clever grubber from Carter Gordon. The Brumbies scramble back to dot down in-goal.

49 mins – MEREDITH SPARKS HOSTS: Declan Meredith’s smart chip and chase gets the Brumbies rolling inside the 22, but they knock on at the back of the ruck. Reds scrum.

55 mins – REDS ON THE MARCH: The Reds work their way inside the five-metre line with Daugunu going close, but initial penalty calls are waved off after a knock-on in the lead-up. Treyvon Pritchard then nearly scores in the corner but is bundled into touch a metre out.

62 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Andy Muirhead crashes over! The Brumbies turn down an easy three and back themselves from five metres out. After several pick-and-goes, Muirhead receives the ball on the left, steps back inside and muscles it down in contact. Lonergan misses the conversion, hitting the right upright. (Brumbies 24–20)

73 mins – TRY BRUMBIES: Luke Reimer delivers what looks like the match-sealer! Tane Edmed puts up a pinpoint crossfield kick that hits Reimer on the chest. He’s dragged down just short but gets the ball a few phases later, diving over from close range. Lonergan converts. (Brumbies 31–20)

79 mins – TRY REDS: Daugunu gives the Reds hope! The winger picks from the base of the ruck and expertly keeps his knees up, rolling off a defender and over the line. Werchon converts. (Brumbies 31–27)

80 mins – CAMPBELL SPARKS CHAOS: From the restart, Jock Campbell runs 50 metres from near his own in-goal, beating several defenders before kicking through for Treyvon Pritchard. Muirhead scrambles back to stop him but Pritchard throws it back inside and the Brumbies knock on. Reds scrum five metres out.

80+1 mins – SCRUM PENALTY REDS: The Brumbies disintegrate in the front row and concede a penalty. The Reds call for another scrum.

80+3 mins – TRY REDS: THE REDS STEAL IT! From the scrum, Werchon fires it outside for Gordon, who skips to the outside of Edmed and dives over in the corner! What a finish! Werchon converts from wide. (Brumbies 31–34)

Full-time: Brumbies 31–34 Reds

Teams

Brumbies: 15 Andy Muirhead, 14 Kye Oates, 13 Kadin Pritchard, 12 David Feliuai, 11 Hudson Creighton, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan (c), 8 Charlie Cale, 7 Rory Scott, 6 Tuiana Taii Tualima, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 4 Lachie Shaw, 3 Rhys van Nek, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Liam Bowron, 17 Blake Schoupp, 18 Tevita Alatini, 19 Toby Macpherson, 20 Luke Reimer, 21 Klayton Thorn, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Austin Anderson.

Reds: 15 Jock Campbell, 14 Lachie Anderson, 13 Josh Flook, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Louis Werchon, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Fraser McReight (c), 6 Joe Brial, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Zane Nonggorr, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Richie Asiata, 17 George Blake, 18 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 19 Seru Uru, 20 Vaiuta Latu, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Treyvon Pritchard.

Match details

Brumbies 31 (Tries: Shaw, Cale 2, Muirhead, Reimer; Conversions: Lonergan 3/5)
Reds 34 (Tries: Anderson, Flook, Daugunu, Gordon; Conversions: Werchon 4/4; Penalties: Werchon 2/2)
Half-time: 19–20

Venue: GIO Stadium, Canberra
Referee: Damon Murphy (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Jordan Way, Jeremy Markey
TMO: James Leckie

Notes: Kick-off was delayed by 85 minutes due to a lightning storm around Canberra. James Slipper equalled Wyatt Crockett’s record for the most capped Super Rugby Pacific player with his 202nd appearance. Corey Toole (leg) and Ollie Sapsford (hamstring) were late withdrawals for the Brumbies. Lachie Anderson departed early with an arm injury and was taken to hospital, with Treyvon Pritchard making his debut.

Caleb Clarke scored a hat-trick as the Blues shut out the Crusaders in the second half to claim a crucial 29–13 victory at Eden Park, ending a four-game losing streak against their Kiwi rivals at the venue.

Key moments

2 mins – PENALTY CRUSADERS: Dalton Papali’i pinged for not rolling away at the breakdown. Rivez Reihana slots from 20 metres out right in front. (Blues 0–3)

4 mins – TRY BLUES: The hosts strike back immediately. After winning a free kick from the restart, the Blues hammer it forward with direct carries before Beauden Barrett combines with Pita Ahki, who fires a long pass to Caleb Clarke. The All Black winger gets on the outside of the defence and slams it down in the corner. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 7–3)

7 mins – TRY DISALLOWED/YELLOW CARD CRUSADERS: Jamie Hannah appears to score after a clean break by Rivez Reihana, but the try is ruled out following a TMO review for a high tackle by Dom Gardiner on Hoskins Sotutu several phases earlier. Gardiner is shown a yellow card.

9 mins – TRY BLUES: The Blues capitalise from the penalty. From the lineout 40 metres out, they swing it quickly left where Zarn Sullivan bursts onto a short pass and sprints into the clear. He draws the last defender before dishing to Clarke, who zips away to score his second in the corner. Barrett’s conversion hits the upright. (Blues 12–3)

22 mins – TRY BLUES: A moment of magic from Codemeru Vai. Barrett puts in a pinpoint cross-field kick towards the corner. It sits up on its point and Vai gets airborne, miraculously grounding it cleanly just inside the touch-in-goal line. Acrobatic brilliance. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 19–3)

31 mins – YELLOW CARD BLUES: Clarke is shown a yellow card for a deliberate knock-down as the Crusaders look to counter.

33 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: The visitors make the man advantage count. From the lineout, the Crusaders maul forward before Codie Taylor peels off and is driven strongly over the line. Reihana’s conversion hits the upright. (Blues 19–8)

38 mins – TRY CRUSADERS: The Crusaders strike again with Clarke still in the bin. After Reihana regathers his own grubber 40 metres out, Noah Hotham zips to the short side and flicks a pass to Reihana, who goes over untouched out wide. Reihana sprays the conversion. (Blues 19–13)

Half-time: Blues 19–13. The Blues were at their scintillating best early, chalking up three quality tries in the opening 22 minutes through Clarke (2) and Vai’s acrobatic finish. But the Crusaders clawed back with two tries while Clarke was in the sin bin for a deliberate knock-down, carrying real momentum into the break despite trailing by six.

46 mins – TRY DISALLOWED: Barrett appears to score in the corner after Vai keeps the ball alive, but the TMO rules Vai’s knee was in touch before he released the pass.

48 mins – TRY BLUES: Clarke completes his hat-trick! From a lineout, the Blues hammer away with pick-and-goes before Finlay Christie swings it left to Ahki, who dishes to Barrett. Vai chimes in and fires a long pass to Clarke, who sprints away to score near the corner. Barrett converts from the touchline. (Blues 26–13)

69 mins – MISSED PENALTY BLUES: Barrett’s shot from 38 metres drifts out to the left.

71 mins – FAINGA’ANUKU STOPPED: Leicester Fainga’anuku powers towards the posts but loses the ball forward in the tackle of AJ Lam and Sotutu. Brilliant desperation defence by the Blues.

75 mins – PENALTY BLUES: Barrett slots an easy penalty from 12 metres after the Crusaders are pinged for offside. (Blues 29–13)

Full-time: Blues 29–13

The hosts were at their scintillating best early, racing to a 19–3 lead inside 22 minutes through two tries to Clarke and Codemeru Vai’s acrobatic finish from a Beauden Barrett cross-kick. But the defending champions clawed back with two tries while Clarke was in the sin bin to trail 19–13 at half-time, only to be held scoreless in the second stanza by an outstanding Blues defensive effort.

Barrett, called up to start at first five-eighth after Stephen Perofeta was ruled out with a calf injury before kick-off, showed few signs of rust in his first Super Rugby appearance of 2026. The All Blacks veteran played the full 80 minutes and produced several classy touches throughout an arm-wrestle of a contest.

The Crusaders opened the scoring through a Rivez Reihana penalty after Dalton Papali’i was pinged for not rolling away, but the lead lasted barely a minute. From a free kick won off the restart, the Blues hammered forward with direct carries into the Crusaders’ 22 before Barrett combined with Pita Ahki to shift the ball wide. Ahki fired a long pass to Clarke on the left edge, and the All Black winger got on the outside of Chay Fihaki before slamming it down in the corner. Barrett converted from the touchline for 7–3.

The visitors thought they had struck back immediately when Jamie Hannah glided through a gap to score after a clean break by Reihana. But the try was ruled out following a TMO review for a high tackle by Dom Gardiner on Hoskins Sotutu several phases earlier. Gardiner’s body height was high and he was shown a yellow card, leaving the Crusaders to rue a crucial moment.

The Blues capitalised ruthlessly from the ensuing penalty. They found touch 40 metres out and swung it quickly to the left, where Zarn Sullivan burst onto a short pass from Barrett and sprinted into the clear. The fullback drew the last defender before dishing a perfectly timed pass to Clarke, who zipped away untouched to score his second in the corner. Barrett’s conversion struck the upright, but the Blues led 12–3.

Then came one of the finishes of the season. The Blues worked it right from a scrum before Barrett produced a stabbing cross-field kick towards the corner. The ball sat up on its point as Vai timed his run to perfection, getting airborne and miraculously grounding it cleanly just inside the touch-in-goal line. It was acrobatic brilliance — a catch any cricketer would be proud of — as the winger showed great athleticism to collect and put the ball down within inches of the dead-ball line. Barrett converted from the touchline for 19–3.

At that point, the Blues looked in complete control. But a yellow card to Clarke for a deliberate knock-down in the 31st minute allowed the Crusaders to mount a late first-half charge.

The visitors made the man advantage count immediately. Codie Taylor put the ball into touch five metres out and Antonio Shalfoon took the lineout. The Crusaders got their maul inching forward before Taylor peeled off and was driven strongly over the line by his pack to score out wide. Reihana’s conversion struck the upright.

Then Reihana started and finished an electric sequence with Clarke still in the bin. The flyhalf rolled in a nicely weighted grubber that he regathered 40 metres out before Sevu Reece streaked into space down the left touchline. After David Havili kept the momentum going, Noah Hotham zipped to the short side and flicked a pass off the back of the hand to Reihana, who went over untouched out wide. Reihana sprayed the conversion across the face, and the Blues held onto a 19–13 lead at the break.

Clarke returned after half-time and quickly made up for his infringement. The Blues went close early when Vai kept the ball alive near the touchline to set up Barrett in the corner, but the TMO ruled Vai’s knee had brushed the touchline before he released the pass.

The let-off didn’t matter greatly. Anton Segner tapped back the lineout before the Blues hammered away with several pick-and-goes from close range, with Sotutu, Papali’i and Josh Beehre all going close. With the defence compressed, Finlay Christie swung it left to Ahki, who dished to Barrett. Vai then chimed into the line and fired a long pass to Clarke, who sprinted away to score his hat-trick try near the corner. Barrett converted superbly from the touchline for 26–13.

That would prove to be the final try of the contest as both sides attempted to outwit the other with several kicking duels. The Crusaders went close in the final quarter as Leicester Fainga’anuku exploded onto a short ball and powered towards the posts, but Sotutu and AJ Lam typified the Blues’ desperation on defence as they combined to jolt the ball free right under the crossbar. It was a clutch tackle that summed up the hosts’ second-half defensive effort.

Barrett missed a penalty from 38 metres but made no mistake from 12 metres after the Crusaders were pinged for offside, pushing the lead to 16 and ending the contest. Taufa Funaki’s kick into touch — over the back of his head — brought the match to a stylish conclusion.

For Clarke, it continues a remarkable turnaround. The All Black winger now has five tries in four games this season — five more than he scored in the entire 2025 campaign.

The win lifts the Blues to fourth spot with a 2–2 record. They will face Moana Pasifika at Eden Park next Sunday. The Crusaders, whose display was marred by shoddy handling and unclean lineouts, drop to 1–3 in eighth and will be desperate for victory when they host the Highlanders in Christchurch next Saturday.

“I’m just proud of the way we fronted in that last quarter,” Barrett said afterwards. “We gave away too many penalties for the most part of that game in our defence, but when we backed that, we felt really good and in control.

“We knew we had to turn up tonight against a classy side. It wasn’t perfect but we’re happy to win at home.

“My legs fell off at the end there, but VC [Vern Cotter] asked me yesterday if I could go 80 and I reluctantly said yes.”

Teams

Blues: 15 Zarn Sullivan, 14 Codemeru Vai, 13 AJ Lam, 12 Pita Ahki, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Finlay Christie, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Dalton Papali’i (c), 6 Torian Barnes, 5 Sam Darry, 4 Josh Beehre, 3 Marcel Renata, 2 Kurt Eklund, 1 Ofa Tu’ungafasi.
Replacements: 16 James Mullan, 17 Mason Tupaea, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Che Clark, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Taufa Funaki, 22 Kade Banks, 23 Xavi Taele.

Crusaders: 15 Taha Kemara, 14 Chay Fihaki, 13 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 David Havili (c), 11 Sevu Reece, 10 Rivez Reihana, 9 Noah Hotham, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Ethan Blackadder, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Jamie Hannah, 4 Antonio Shalfoon, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Manumaua Letiu, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Will Tucker, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Xavier Saifoloi, 23 Dallas McLeod.

Match details

Blues 29 (Tries: Clarke 3, Vai; Conversions: Barrett 3/4; Penalties: Barrett 1/2)
Crusaders 13 (Tries: Taylor, Reihana; Conversions: Reihana 0/2; Penalties: Reihana 1/1)
Half-time: 19–13

Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Referee: Nic Berry (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Marcus Playle, Louis Trisley
TMO: Aaron Paterson

Late change: Stephen Perofeta was ruled out with a calf injury before kick-off. Beauden Barrett was promoted to start at first five-eighth, with Kade Banks joining the bench.