Crusaders v Chiefs takes: Sititi back with a bang, Chiefs justify favourites tag

The biggest and most important game of round thirteen in Super Rugby Pacific was between two of the competition’s powerhouse franchises, the Crusaders and the Chiefs, on a clear, but cold Saturday night in Christchurch.

It was Clayton McMillan’s Chiefs who scored 32 unanswered points to down the Crusaders in the top-of-the-table clash, 35-19.

McMillan’s Chiefs have now beaten the Crusaders twice in one campaign for only the fourth time in the history of the competition. The other seasons being 2015, 2016 and 2023, and now 2025.

Here are four takeaways.

The Chiefs suit the favourites tag

They are the favourites. They were the favourites before, and they still are now.

Some people might have considered the Chiefs to be slight underdogs going into the game in Christchurch on Saturday night, but the Chiefs’ start to the season, with a couple of twists and turns in the middle period, is shaping up to be one of the Hamilton-based side’s best chances at a Super Rugby Pacific title since 2013.

After the first forty minutes, not many would have predicted the type of second half the away side would have in Christchurch against the high-flying Crusaders. But it was McMillan’s men, at the sold-out Apollo Projects Stadium, who stood up when it counted.

Their performance was dominant, not the first half, but the second forty minutes was how a championship hopeful squad should play.

32 unanswered points tell you all you need to know, which made you feel like it was one of those nights where fans around the league sat back, and realised this team could do something special this year.

The playoffs are still four weeks away, the grand final is six weeks away, and although there are still hurdles to climb, who’s to say they can’t, or won’t get a chance to win this year’s competition.

Wallace Sititi is just as good as he was

The World Rugby Breakthrough Men’s 15s Player of the Year from 2024, Wallace Sititi, has had to wait his turn upon returning to the Chiefs starting lineup after a lengthy absence with a knee injury, but his return was made in some fashion.

Sititi’s first two cameos off the bench have been solid, with a couple of nice touches against the Force in Mount Maunganui, as well as a short stint against the Hurricanes in Wellington.

But this round thirteen game was different; it was the closest game this season to being Test match intensity, and although the quality may not be to Test standard, the grit, determination, and effort certainly were at that level required for higher honours.

The 22-year-old carried the ball a game-high, 22 times, and scored a well-deserved try close to the line in the 73rd minute.

Sititi’s immediate impact reinforced what All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson saw in the Chiefs loose forward last year, where he was picked over Hoskins Sotutu in the first national squad of the year due to his work rate both defensively and with the ball.

Not only is it good to see the powerful loose forward back in action, but it’s even better to see that the knee injury hasn’t taken too much of a toll on his performance on the field.

Who plays on the wing for the All Blacks? Take your pick… 

It’s only a matter of time before Sevu Reece becomes Super Rugby Pacific’s leading try scorer of all time, something that has haunted him for the past couple of weeks. Being on the brink of this record once again showcases how clinical Reece has been for the Crusaders over a long period of time.

Reece’s performance on Saturday evening wasn’t his finest display, but his work through the season has likely earned him a call-up into Robertson’s first squad to take on France in July.

In the same jersey for the Chiefs, former All Blacks Sevens player Leroy Carter has been absolutely flying for the table-topping Chiefs, and is probably not known as a bolter anymore, as his consistency of performances this season has no doubt been a talking point among the All Blacks coaches.

Carter’s performance on Saturday, where he scored an outrageous try early on in the second half, showed form that should hold some weight with the All Blacks coaches, where a Test match like intensity brought the best out of the Bronze medal-winning Olympian.

Don’t forget about Emoni Narawa, whose performances this season have been nothing short of exceptional, showcasing that he’s ready to add to his two Test match All Black career.

In other areas of the country, Caleb Clarke and Caleb Tangitau have both been injured recently, Mark Telea is moving offshore at the end of the season, and Kini Naholo injured himself last weekend in Wellington, opening the door for the likes of Narawa and Carter.

Don’t forget about the two late inclusions from the end-of-year tour in 2024 for the All Blacks, with both Chay Fihaki and AJ Lam putting their own hands up, as options for Robertson on the wing.

Scott Robertson and co, close your eyes

The All Blacks coaches would have no doubt been interested in how this matchup between the Crusaders and the Chiefs would play out, but the one thing they didn’t want to see, was injuries to key players from last year’s All Blacks squad.

Both Will Jordan and Tupou Vaa’i came off during the match on Saturday evening, two players who are crucial for the All Blacks going forward.

Let’s get this straight, these two players would be in Robertson’s squad to take on France in July and it’s not wild to believe both players are some of the first names on the team sheet.

Jordan’s knee injury looked worrying after colliding with Codie Taylor’s leg in the first half. Jordan attempted to run it off, but couldn’t.

Vaai was able to play on through his knee injury, but like Jordan, he slightly limped off the field after being replaced.

Add these two to the injury list of Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Sam Darry, George Bell and Ethan Blackadder, and Robertson may have to dig a bit deeper into Super Rugby Pacific’s pool of talent for the All Blacks.