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Chiefs player ratings vs Crusaders | 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final
By Henry Lee
The Chiefs have lost their third straight Super Rugby Pacific final on Saturday evening, 16-12, at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch against the Crusaders.
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Clayton McMillan’s men had their chances, but the Crusaders managed to close out the game at home, to win their 15th Super Rugby title, extending their winning home playoff run to 32 wins without a loss.
There were some strong performances from the away side, but it wasn’t to be in 2025.
Here’s how the Chiefs rated in the final.
1. Ollie Norris – 7
The big front rower, who’s in a straight shootout with Xavier Numia and Joshua Fusitu’a for the vacant loosehead prop position in the All Blacks, had a brilliant start in Christchurch, winning back-to-back scrum penalties against one of New Zealand’s elite scrummagers, Fletcher Newell.
Newell did bounce back and win a couple of penalties, but overall, it was an impressive performance on both sides of the ball from Norris two days out from the All Blacks squad being named.
Off at 50 minutes.
2. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 6.5
The 30-Test All Black was strong in defence, and didn’t have any issues at lineout time, but was slightly outplayed in the first half by his opposite number Codie Taylor.
Taukei’aho carried 11 times in 50 minutes and made seven tackles.
Replaced at 50 minutes.
3. George Dyer – 7
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George Dyer, who has been one of the Chiefs’ standout players this season, was under huge pressure against Tamaiti Williams at scrum time, but held his own early on in the final.
Dyer found himself in midfield close to the line, and was on the end of a subtle pass by Luke Jacobson to go over for the final’s first try of the evening. Dyer’s defence in the opening 20 minutes was outstanding, forcing Crusaders’ attackers backwards.
Dyer’s output was solid over the course of his 50-minute shift, setting a solid platform for the replacements to attempt to close the final out.
4. Naitoa Ah Kuoi – 6
The Chiefs announced this week that Naitoa Ah Kuoi had re-signed with the Hamilton-based franchise for another season, after enjoying a solid season making 16 appearances for his side.
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Ah Kuoi was up against Scott Barrett and Antonio Shalfoon in the grand final, and held his own for the majority of the game, standing up to the occasion.
Ah Kuoi made nine tackles and made four carries in his 65-minute shift, before being replaced by Jimmy Tupou.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 8
Tupou Vaa’i had some nice touches early on in the game, but was largely used as a crash-and-bash ball carrier.
Vaa’i’s second half started with a smart tackle on Crusaders halfback Noah Hotham, forcing Hotham to drop the ball.
Vaa’i charged towards the line but was stopped in a fantastic covering tackle from Taylor and Newell. Vaai’s most important contribution on the night might have been inside his own 22, getting up, competing, and winning the ball from a Crusaders lineout.
The Chiefs lineout functioned effectively, and Vaa’i was at the heart of it throughout the 80 minutes.
Vaa’i made a game-high 21 tackles and carried the ball eight times.
6. Samipeni Finau – 6.5
Samipeni Finau has been involved in the All Blacks loose forward conversation this year, and rightly so, after proving himself as one of the more dominant tacklers in the competition.
Finau made some smart tackles in the opening stages, but struggled to make any trademark dominant tackles that we have come to expect from the 8-Test All Black.
Finau’s much talked about discipline was perfect on Saturday, not giving away a penalty in his 80-minute shift in Christchurch.
7. Luke Jacobson – 6.5
The Chiefs captain was at his usual bruising best on defence, and had a beautiful try assist to Dyer in the first try of the game. Jacobson’s breakdown prowess was mostly nullified by the Crusaders, before he was sent for an HIA in the 43rd minute.
Jacobson returned to the field with just under 20 minutes to go, but failed to really make a considerable impact against a powerful and classy Crusaders forward pack.
8. Wallace Sititi – 6
The World Rugby Men’s 15’s Breakthrough Player of the Year in 2024 was at his busy best, but the game didn’t quite suit his strengths, with limited opportunities to showcase his game-breaking running game.
Sititi was substituted in the 69th minute, after spending most of his second-half shift making tackles.
9. Cortez Ratima – 5
Ratima has been key for the Chiefs this season in multiple facets of their game, but tonight in the final, struggled to really dominate the kicking battle from the base of the ruck.
Ratima’s running game and ability to be in the right place at the right time is one of his biggest attributes, but the Chiefs didn’t create any clear-cut opportunities to let Ratima thrive.
Replaced at 60 minutes.
10. Damian McKenzie – 5
The All Blacks first five was a steady hand for the Chiefs in the first half and didn’t find any major gaps in the Crusaders defence early on.
McKenzie’s kicking game at the start of the second half set the tone in the opening minutes, but his missed penalty kick early in the second half was a pivotal moment in the final.
It wasn’t McKenzie’s best performance, and ultimately, when push came to shove, couldn’t get his team over the line in their third straight final.
11. Leroy Carter – 6
The former All Blacks Sevens superstar was quiet in the first half of the action in Christchurch, as the cold weather played a factor. The Chiefs largely used their possession close to the ruck, limiting the opportunities for Carter to get involved.
The second half was much of the same for the Chiefs speedster, and he moved to the right-wing when Narawa was replaced in the second half.
12. Quinn Tupaea – 9
Quinn Tupaea has been a standout for the Chiefs this season, showcasing his all-round skills and ability to influence the game in more ways than one. Tupaea started the game nicely with some good work in the air, and carried the ball seven times in the first 30 minutes in Christchurch.
Tupaea’s defensive read late in the first half on Will Jordan was brilliant, and he constantly found himself in the middle of the action.
Tupaea’s stats showcased his performance perfectly, with 16 tackles and twelve carries in the final.
13. Daniel Rona – 6
Rona has enjoyed some solid minutes in the second half of the season after Anton Lienert-Brown’s mid-season injury, and hasn’t put a foot wrong in that time.
Rona’s impact was mostly felt on defence, most notably with a massive shot on Braydon Ennor in the second half when the Crusaders centre found a gap in the Chiefs defence.
14. Emoni Narawa – 6.5
Emoni Narawa’s signature pick and go from the base of the scrum once again proved dangerous for the opposition, trying multiple times in the first half.
Narawa was another Chiefs player who was hurt by the style of play the away side was forced to play, failing to make any breaks to get the Chiefs on the front foot.
Narawa didn’t get his hands on the ball in the second half, and was substituted in the 63rd minute by Etene Nanai-Seturo.
15. Shaun Stevenson – 7.5
In Stevenson’s last game as a Chiefs player, the 109-cap veteran had a disappointing start to proceedings in the final, dropping the ball just on his side of the halfway line.
Three minutes before the halftime whistle, Stevenson found himself on an edge and was able to score in the corner on the back of the Chiefs spreading the ball wide.
Stevenson’s smart in-play kick in the 67th minute pinned the Crusaders on their 22, trying to wrestle back some momentum for the away side.
That kick was Stevenson’s last action in a Chiefs jersey, being replaced by Josh Jacomb with just over ten minutes to go.
Reserves
16. Brodie McAlister – 6
Brilliant strip on Sevu Reece in the 59th minute, getting his team out of trouble.
Despite McAlister’s solid work defensively, the Chiefs scrum that he was apart of cost them in the second half.
17. Aiden Ross – 5
Straight on to the field in the 51st minute, to win a penalty at scrum time just inside their own half.
Ross was part of the Chiefs scrum which in the grand scheme of things, which was a major factor in the home side’s second half momentum swing.
18. Reuben O’Neill – 4
An absolute nightmare cameo off the bench, penalised multiple times at scrum time, the first of which was an illegal pull down on George Bower.
19. Jimmy Tupou – 6
20. Kaylum Boshier – 6
21. Xavier Roe – 6
22. Josh Jacomb – 5
Jacomb’s aerial ability was tested late on, knocking the ball on inside his own half.
23. Etene Nanai-Seturo – 6
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So, even though the Chiefs comfortably beat the Crusaders home and away this season, clearly outplaying their opponents; this game (a 4 point thrashing in miserable conditions) will render their AB chances gone? OK.
How did Jacobson make it back onto the field?
The two key figures in the game…DMac..who was subdued and failed to execute exit kicks of quality (why Stevenson wasnt taking these baffles me) place kicks (shelling two normal and vital gimmes) and the Saders tighthead Newell who led in getting those vital penalties.
I havr struggled all season as to why Stevenson wasnt taking the line kicks as he has far greater distance than DMac.
Like the Tahs game v Chiefs DMac was targeted and most players lose concentration or confidence if they get hit enough times. Chiefs could have done the same to Reihana but they seemed to lack a plan of offensive defense targets.
yes, no-one else seems to notice DMac’s poor kicking apart from placekicks; he was rubbish last night, knock-ons, spilled the ball in a tackle 3m from the line, his claim on the AB #10 spot just went into reverse.
Once the referee realized that Norris was pulling back and not taking the weight at scrums, Norris was completely exposed in the scrum and he was owned by Newell.
I thought Norris was a lock for the third loosehead spot but he may have played himself out of the All Blacks where as George Bower played himself back in based on last week vs the Blues and the last 20 vs the Chiefs.
Samipeni Finau very likely played himself out of the All Blacks last night. He was invisible as was Wallace Sititi, who will be given a stay of execution due to his stellar 2024 All Blacks form.
Both Chiefs loosies were completely outplayed by Ethan Blackadder, Christian Lio-Willie and fellow Chief Luke Jacobson and these 3 surely must be among the 7 loose forwards selected by Razor, along with Sititi, Savea, Lakai, and Kirifi.
The Chiefs really missed Simon Parker, who along with Jacobson, have been by far their best loosies. I’d love to see Parker selected as a 6 if it is over Finau.
Tupou Va’ai was a beast as was Scott Barrett for the Crusaders and their combo for the All Blacks could become world class by the end of the RC.
Had your eyes closed again aye SC?
Tight game. Thought the Chiefs missed Simon Parker a lot, who was great in the Round 13 victory at the same ground. Their bench just wasn’t as strong as the Crusader's, and they’ll need to beef up the front row to win titles.
Top comment. Whereas the Crusaders got their key players like Tamaiti and Jordan back, the Chiefs lost their forward depth that had served them so well.
In previous matches Chiefs have had Finau, Lord, Samisoni, Dyer and Norris overrunning their opponents off the bench. This time through injury and starting with their best players it was Boshier, Tupou, McAlister, O’Neill and Ross.
Meanwhile their opponents were able to bring on Grace, Hannah, Bower and Bell. The Chiefs simply couldn't make any headway against them.