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The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders
I don’t think the Chiefs are in danger of becoming Super Rugby Pacific’s version of the Buffalo Bills.
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At the risk of insulting the intelligence of all those versed in Bills history, the NFL franchise made it four consecutive Super Bowls in the 1990s and lost the lot.
By the end of that run, observers tended to fall into two camps. There were those who marvelled at the Bills’ ability to shake off disappointment and go on another run to the title game.
And then there were the others, who despised the Bills’ inability to win when it really counted and called them a c-word that I don’t like using.
The Chiefs have been the best team in Super Rugby for some time now. They’ve certainly been far and away the form side of 2025, which means we’ve all been waiting a very long time to see them crowned champions.
Many individuals have excelled across this competition. There were some, such as Ardie Savea, who emphasised their quality and others like Timoci Tavatavanawai that announced themselves as players of immense potential.
Overall, though, this season has centred around one simple question: will the Chiefs fritter away another final?
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I’d have said not, a fortnight or so ago. Until they lost at home to the Blues in the first week of the playoffs I would have suggested the Chiefs would march triumphantly to the title.
Not simply because they were so good, but also because I didn’t believe any other team had the wherewithal to seriously challenge them.
On the whole, I still think that now. The Chiefs are better than the Crusaders and should beat them by 15 points in Saturday’s final.
It’s just that, until proven otherwise, it’s hard not to shake that nagging doubt that the Chiefs’ free-flowing football will come a cropper in the decider.
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I tend to give the Chiefs a pass for losing to the Crusaders in the 2023 final. They were playing an accomplished opponent with an incredible championship pedigree and, as a team, were probably still learning how to perform under pressure.
Last year’s defeat to the Blues was unforgivable, though. The Chiefs played some of the dumbest, most inaccurate grand final football I’ve ever seen and basically gave the game to the Blues.
Like the Bills before them, the Chiefs deserve great credit for dusting themselves off and mounting another run at the title. I feared the absence of Anton Lienert-Brown might be too great to overcome, but here they are in another decider.
There’s something to really admire about that.
And yet the uncertainty persists. Teams lose games, but the manner of the Chiefs’ defeat to the Blues suggested a mental frailty lurking beneath the surface.
I don’t rate the Crusaders. I attribute their progression this far to the fact this competition boasts many middling teams, but only one outstanding one.
And there’s the rub. The Chiefs are that outstanding team. No-one can match the consistent brilliance of their football, nor their depth and breadth of talent.
If you want to be entertained, there’s no team easier on the eye than the Chiefs.
They should confirm their quality on Saturday. They should feast off the errors of the Crusaders and should win the final comfortably.
It’s just that many of us have thought all that before.
This is the Chiefs’ final to lose. Hopefully that knowledge doesn’t hinder them.
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Have I missed something or was just an opinion - i.e. wrong opinion? 😀🥸
Looks like you were wrong again Hamish….
This aged well
This article aged like a fine milk.
What rubbish! Thank you for writing an article that will generate even more anti-Chiefs sentiment and throw even more support behind the Crusaders. Now you’ve certainly stirred up the Crusaders fanboys and trolls.
You don’t rate the Crusaders akin to most rugby followers not rating your journalism.
yes the chiefs have been better in both games whenthey beat the crusaders so far this year but now its the final and anything can happen and the crusaders are good in finals
Then the Blues are than than anyone then since they beat the chiefs at home 🤭
Sports writers like this is how we ended up with Foster, chiefs shouldn't be in final but here we are. Hopefully the chiefs read this article 🙏
The Crusaders will try to look for an advantage and will force the Chiefs to wear their white (away) jersey. Look back to 2023 final in Hamilton and see both teams playing in their home jerseys. This says it all. Chiefs all class while the CruSADers are (like their name suggests) just sad in the middle.
Good to see the best officials this year appointed to the final
Bidwell certainly has an issue with the Crusaders to the point he refuses to give them any credit.
He hates the Chiefs too. Hates anything about NZ rugby. He is just a hater. This is what he thinks sports journalism is all about HATE CLICKS
Have to say I’m not one of their fans but will agree about the Chiefs talent but 15+’points (?) that would be surprising …. Who knows, they deserve a good crack at it this year. I like the Crusaders but am getting a bit fed up with the ‘unbeaten in finals at home’ drumbeating blah blah. Putting that to bed would be a bit of a relief
Why?
Hamish, what a load of rot. If the Crusaders had a decent coach, they are 20 pts better. Under Razor they won everything. You know you are in trouble with a coach when he brings in players like O'Connor. Really ? O'Connor hasn't played a good game of union for over 10 years. In all likelihood the Crusaders will winn as they have a much better team who know how to shut teams down. McKenzie can be brillianthut I doubt he will get the front foot ball he requires. Coach and 1st 5 for Crusaders are their big concerns. Will be close
The Chiefs have been the best team of the 2025 regular season, alright.
But the one-game playoff format is a whole different beast entirely. One off matches across all sorts of sports have proven, that anything can happen.
Best of five series? The Chiefs would win, no doubt. A one game decider? A much taller order against a Crusaders team, that hasn’t lost a playoff match at home in like a million years.
Pollyanna Bidwell needs a reality check if he thinks a Chiefs win is such a formality. They may scrape in but the Crusaders have the portents in their favor and know how to win against perceived odds . Just go back a couple of seasons when these teams last met in a final.
I think the Chiefs are better too, and should win.
That doesn’t mean the Crusaders are not a very good, intelligent side that can enact a gameplan that shuts the Chiefs down.
It won’t be a shock if they do.
It’s a final. Two very good teams got there.
It annoys when sport “Professionals “ make statements like that . The Best Team, plays their Best game in the final. The start of the Season is pure entertainment for the Fans and training for the Teams. The last 2 years in a row the Chiefs timed their run wrong and “Choked “. Not a word used when speaking about the Crusaders, EVER!!
Hamish Bidwell should put something behind his arrogant statement. He’s playing the weatherman game, he knows, if he gets it wrong, meh!
But he takes kudos for getting a 50/50 right.
Remember game #1.
Rob Penny took his front row off including Tamaiti Williams who was demolishing the Chiefs scrum and causing havoc all over the field. The Saders lost the second half and the game, meh? Yes meh! We lost Tamaiti first game last season a loss we didn’t recover from when added to Jordan, Scooter, Backadder , etc. Yet they beat The Blues in the last Round game. Oh that’s right the Chiefs ( qualified first ) then lost to the Blues, at home! With 🐄🔔S.
The Crusaders as a whole, from top down, know the season is decided at the end.
Not a team I would write off so easily.
As for the Cow Bells. If I had Chiefs supporters coming over to watch the game at mine. I would ask them to leave the bells at home, purely because they are so bloody annoying. My house my rules. Next year don’t lose in the “Finals” (joke), get the home final and tell the Crusaders to leave the horses at home (🤣🤣🤣).
I can’t wait the game will be awesome for so many reasons.
15 points? Big big call.
It’s a big call by a sensationalist clickbait journalist. Best to throw this article in the bin.
Just tell us you don't know anything about finals sport. How many finals have been won by 15+. This guy is such a clickbait fool
Hamish’s pick again improving the odds of a Crusaders win. What is this, betting market manipulation…? 😆
The only clear advantage on paper the Chiefs have got over Saders is Dmac and Ratima and Roe to an extent but all 3 for Saders minus Benjamin Button are dudes on the up Reihana strikes ball nicely off tee looks good but jeez Dmac golf game must be good atm
Perceptive. Crusaders shut BB down for the most part last week and should they do the same to Dmac the Chiefs will be in trouble as he is their key player.
What are the Chiefs paying you to write this drivel?
As if anyone would pay Hamish Bidwell to write an article, especially the Chiefs. I’d say if anything, this is definitely Anti-Crusaders rather than Pro-Chiefs.
I’m pretty sure he says ‘out there’ things to get reads/comments.
It was Hamish Bidwell who wrote the Crusaders off before the Quarters 2 weeks. A team that is”not a good side” do not make Finals. What happened to the Chiefs when they played the Blues 2 weeks ago. The Crusaders have a better pack than the Chiefs.The loose forwards the awesome Ethan Blackadder, non stop Tom Christie and Christian Lio-Willie will have it on the Chiefs. Some one as good as Cullen Grace on the bench. The front row is the best around, then take a look at the locks. Give it to them up front Crusaders on our turf.
Love your passion GP - Crusaders have a great pack and big Tamaiti is a huge inclusion to an already formidable front row but your loose forward trio is objectively worse than the Chiefs. Just ask the ABs coaches. In saying that, Sititi has been quiet compared to last year so hopefully he can unleash like we all know he can.
Would be sitting a lot more comfortable with Lord and Parker on the bench but think the game will be a cracker.
Phew! Chiefs by 15. “Blues feasting” prediction replaced by “Chiefs feasting” prediction. Ergo, Crusaders win guaranteed.
The TAB can’t separate both finalists. The non-Crusaders pundits nationwide are leaning towards the Affirmative Action Lucky Losers. The scene is set.
Pukanaaaaaaaaaa . . . 😝😝😝
Sucker. You’ve taken the bait. Hamish writes articles that are meant to stir up fans. He’s got you good. What’s with the “Affirmative Action” phrase though?
Try looking at the writers name. The guy is a hater. Nothing else. If he thought claiming the Saders would win by 15 would gather more anger thats what he would have written. Hamish is a hate filled man.
best team really …they have lost 1 more than the crusaders
So true. Chiefs should have lost the chance to even play in the final when the Blues tipped them over and deservedly.
Drivel