The Crusaders charged down a last-minute Piri Weepu drop goal to steal a 19-18 win over the Blues in Super Rugby’s season opener at Eden Park on Friday night.

The home team had started strongly with tries to blindside flanker Chris Lowrey and winger David Raikuna in the opening 10 minutes, pressuring the Crusaders at the breakdown and capitalising on useful turnover ball.

However, the boot of rookie five-eighth Tyler Bleyendaal kept the Crusaders in the game with two early penalties before powerful centre Robbie Fruean punished some weak Blues defending to score and put the Crusaders ahead for the first time at the 20 minute mark.

The Crusaders’ scrum and forward play was as solid as ever and, with the Blues lineout misfiring, the visitors gradually gained the ascendancy as halftime neared.

Bleyendaal added another penalty to extend the Crusaders’ lead to 16-12 at the break, as the Aucklanders’ ill-discipline negated the slight edge they had in possession and territory.

The Blues regained the lead 15 minutes into the second stanza through two Michael Hobbs penalties, and they looked dangerous on the counterattack with centre Rene Ranger and wing Rudi Wulf in electric form.

All Blacks halfback and former Hurricane Weepu made his first appearance in the Blues jersey soon after, slotting in at five-eighth as Hobbs moved out to No.12 and Benson Stanley left the field.

Another Bleyendaal penalty returned the lead to the Crusaders, setting up a nailbiting final 15 minutes as the Crusaders’ work in close maintained possession and their kicking game kept the Blues pinned down.

The Blues rallied and worked their way downfield to set up the winning of the match, only to be foiled by the speed of wing Israel Dagg in charging down Weepu’s drop goal attempt.

The result reversed last year’s opening round match between the two sides, when the Blues pipped the Crusaders 24-22.