Chiefs' secret weapon again on show in regular season sweep of Crusaders

When the Chiefs opened the season with back-to-back wins over the Blues and Crusaders in the first two rounds, they were instantly crowned championship favourites.

They had smashed two of the stronger franchises in New Zealand, including the last two champions with power and speed in a final quarter surge.

The Blues had a 14-6 lead with 30 minutes to play in that opening round contest. A double to Damian McKenzie and a try on debut for wing Leroy Carter left the home side stumbling with a 25-14 loss.

Points Flow Chart

Chiefs win +11

Time in lead

38

Mins in lead

32

46%

% Of Game In Lead

39%

22%

Possession Last 10 min

78%

0

Points Last 10 min

7

It was a similar story in round two in the first contest with the Crusaders in Hamilton. At the 50 minute mark the scores were tied 17-all before a six try blitz led to a 25 point 49-24 victory for the Chiefs. Quinn Tupaea playing in his 50th secured a double off the bench.

With the Crusaders up 19-3 in Christchurch on Saturday night they could have been forgiven for planning the after-match festivities at half-time. Instead, another second half storm by the Chiefs left the home side in shock and with a 35-19 loss.

When the Chiefs are really on, they have buried teams in the final quarter, showing stamina and another gear that even the strongest opponents can’t match. The secret to this weapon has been a stacked bench injecting too much mana for the opposition to handle.

Points Flow Chart

Chiefs win +16

Time in lead

40

Mins in lead

35

49%

% Of Game In Lead

43%

48%

Possession Last 10 min

52%

0

Points Last 10 min

7

Head coach Clayton McMillan said this was a forced hand and that he was managing minutes to protect his players early in the season. And while there is no reason to not believe him, it has turned into masterstroke tactic in 2025.

Against the Blues in round one All Blacks Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Anton Lienert-Brown and Emoni Narawa all came off the bench, while D-Mac moved from fullback to first five where he had more influence on the game.

In the round two blowout over the Crusaders, the bench was not as strong, but still contained Finau, Ratima and All Black midfielder Quinn Tupaea.

The return of the World Breakthrough Men’s 15s Player of the Year Wallace Sititi has strengthened the entire 23 man line up.

In Christchurch Samipeni Finau was on the bench, along with Samisoni Taukei’aho and Josh Lord. They once again blew the Crusaders off the park in the final quarter.

The Chiefs worst performance of the season, a 21-14 loss to the Waratahs in Sydney, featured their weakest bench line-up. They still almost got over the line for a chance to draw the game.

At that point in the season they wobbled a bit with questions over their championship calibre, but with reinforcements coming back they have firmed again as favourites.

Statistically the Chiefs are top four in most attacking categories without being number one in any of them. Defensively they are top three in the every category.

But really the main story is the roster depth. This is the most complete and deepest roster in Super Rugby Pacific, laden with All Black talent, and when they have enough fit that overflow onto the bench, they can simply blow away teams.

Starting blindside Simon Parker won’t be the radar of the All Black selectors, but he is a hard-hitting No.6 that is fourth in the competition for dominant tackles. He tackles at 90% completion.

Starting Parker enables the Chiefs to use All Black blindside Finau off the bench, another dominant force in defence who also diversifies their line out jumping options.

When lock Naitoa Ah Koui starts, a Maori All Black in his own right, one of Tupou Vaa’i or Josh Lord is bench bound. Vaa’i in 2024 was one of the world’s best locks, if not the best. Lord is an All Black.

The signing of All Blacks Sevens star Leroy Carter has been a masterstroke. He’s nailed down a starting role in season one while also proving to be a lethal finisher. Years of the Sevens circuit have sharpened his ball running and game breaking ability.

The Chiefs have not had Etene Nanai-Seturo healthy, he’s played just once, but without him they’ve been as strong as ever with Carter and Narawa and midfielder Daniel Rona who can play wing.

In regards to the injury ward, they have lost Anton Lienert-Brown for the season with a broken collarbone. In the midfield stocks he is vital. They can’t afford to lose midfielders with Rameka Poihipi and now Lienert-Brown out.

The Chiefs finished the 2023 season on top of the log with a 13-1 record, securing homefield advantage. The hosted the Crusaders in the final and were upset.

Last year was more challenging, finishing fourth, but they tipped up the number one seed Hurricanes in the semi-finals to make the grand final two years running, ultimately falling short to the Blues.

After sweeping the Crusaders last night they are on track to claim the number one seed like 2023, which barring catastrophe over the last two rounds, they will do.

Perhaps the only thing that can derail the Chiefs is injuries, because if they can maintain their health, they have a weapon that no one else does and it’s proven to be the difference many times this year. A powerful bench that allows the Chiefs to stomp out their opposition late in the game.

A healthy Chiefs side has too much mana.