Chiefs make championship statement in Christchurch heavyweight bout

The Crusaders hosted the Chiefs in what was the most anticipated game of the Super Rugby Pacific season and the showpiece of round 13.

Much of the first half was dictated by the hosts, but two late scores by the Chiefs kept them within reach heading into the halftime break. Once play resumed, it was one-way traffic as the Chiefs made a powerful statement of their championship credentials.

A knock-on from Antonio Shalfoon on the kick-off gave the Chiefs a crack at an early attack inside the Crusaders’ half.

The visitors’ attack was lively but not accurate enough to breach the Crusaders’ line, and after some rusty handling from returning All Blacks Damian McKenzie and Wallace Sititi, the Crusaders got their hands on the ball.

With their first attacking chance of the game, Chay Fihaki landed a 50/22 from a slim angle, and moments later, the winger delivered a try assist to Tom Christie, who got the first points of the game in the corner.

Will Jordan left the contest in the 18th minute, nursing a right knee injury he initially tried to play through.

The Crusaders’ lineout was inaccurate and gave the Chiefs some early opportunities, but the Chiefs handed the ball back with more handling woes in a rapidly paced game.

The hosts were sure to get the ball into space with their kicking game early, and had more success capitalising on the territory they won. With their next crack at the Chiefs’ line, Scott Barrett came firing in and reached out to get the ball on the line.

22m Entries

Avg. Points Scored

3.8

5

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Avg. Points Scored

2.6

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Halftime neared, and the Chiefs were desperate not to go into the break with a goose egg to show for their efforts. With their next penalty within range, Damian McKenzie stepped up to the tee and slotted the three points.

The Crusaders responded with haste, powering into Chiefs territory and after a monster Sevu Reece carry, Shalfoon provided the finishing shove to get over the line.

Not interested in letting the hosts have the final say of the half, the Chiefs took the metres on offer with another Crusaders penalty, and McKenzie’s boot got them well within striking distance.

After some strong phase play, the Chiefs finished the half on a high, with Emoni Narawa collecting a loose ball to score. Halftime score: 19-10 to the Crusaders.

The Chiefs started the second period with a bang, scoring two tries in the opening seven minutes.

The first saw Damian McKenzie wrap around the back of a ruck from close range, catching the Crusaders blindside naked. The second was an exhilarating counterattack after Gideon Wrampling snaffled a loose ball and immediately found the speed of Leroy Carter, who shed the defence and ran it in.

The quick strikes handed the Chiefs their first lead of the game, and just as the Crusaders were wrestling back momentum, back-to-back breakdown steals had the Chiefs back on the attack in the Crusaders’ half.

With that field position in their favour, the Chiefs opted for a crack at the posts with their next penalty. McKenzie obliged to extend the lead to six.

All Blacks forwards Samisoni Taukei’aho and Samipeni Finau injected themselves into the game off the bench and kept the tempo high. That pace of attack resulted in another Crusaders penalty, and again McKenzie was up to the task of adding the three points.

Tupou Vaa’i went down clutching his knee in the 65th minute, succumbing to the injury minutes later.

James O’Connor’s introduction into the contest helped reinvigorate the Crusaders, but the accuracy was lacking, so the team’s second-half points tally remained nil.

The Crusaders’ defence wasn’t lacking in accuracy, making 93 per cent of their 235 attempts, but the Chiefs were dominant, getting over the gain line consistently.

Desperate attack closed out the contest, and the Chiefs’ defence wasn’t going to surrender a single point. Fulltime score: 19-35.