Crusaders 27 Chiefs 13 - Immediate reaction

The Crusaders booked themselves a place in next weekend’s Super Rugby final, and there’s a few talking points from their win over the Chiefs.

• The Crusaders had only a third of the ball for the entire game, and most of that came in the last 20 minutes. The Chiefs didn’t even play badly, but should’ve really lost by 21 points had it not been for that late try. What are the Crusaders capable of with a bit of parity in possession?
• Where the hell is everyone in Christchurch? That crowd was disgraceful for a semi final, and there’s no bad weather excuse like last week. Your team is looking good for their first title in nine years, and you can’t even fill up a stadium that’s tiny anyway? Shame on you, Crusaders fans.
• Should there be a rule that if a ref awards a try, it stands no matter what? Tim Nanai-Williams’ try in the first half could’ve really changed the outlook of the game, but it was rubbed out on review. This was despite ref Glen Jackson signaling it good and Damian McKenzie about to line up the kick. It’s pretty stupid that it gets that far before the TMO decides to get in his ear about it, besides, shouldn’t the ref’s call be final?
• Sonny Bill’s appeal is a bit of a moot point. NZ Rugby should probably give up trying to get SBW off his ban that’ll see him miss the Bledisloe Cup game. Ryan Crotty and Jack Goodhue had a big hand in the Crusaders’ defensive effort, and crested some good stuff on attack. Meanwhile Charlie Ngatai and Anton Lienart-Brown were standouts for the Chiefs. The All Blacks have plenty of options in the midfield, and that’s not even counting Ngani Laumape.
• Damian McKenzie still looks like a total creep when he kicks goals. That weird smile…what’s he up to?

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