The two standout performers from the Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals

Regular season leaders, the Crusaders and Chiefs, are set for the Super Rugby Pacific decider in Christchurch this Saturday.

The Crusaders had an almost spiritual revival against the Blues, rallying from 14-0 behind to prevail 21-14. The Crusaders are unbeaten in 31 consecutive playoff games at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Things were easier for the Chiefs, subduing the Brumbies 37-17 in Hamilton. In the last 33 minutes, the hosts scored 20 unanswered points.

Who were the semi-final standouts?

Fletcher Newell (Crusaders)

Was this Fletcher Newell’s Super Rugby magnum opus? When the Crusaders beat the Blues 25-22 on April 18, Newell played the entire 80 minutes and earned the two scrum penalties that decided that slender slogfest. The sequel was arguably better. Newell endured 86 minutes, reducing the Blues scrum to rubble.

The Rangiora Ramrod won the penalty that led to the Crusaders’ third and decisive try. When Blues hooker Ricky Riccitelli briefly switched to prop, he had no chance; his hand was on the ground before the ball was even in the scrum. The final penalty count favoured the Crusaders 16-9, with the scrum being their most reliable source of drawing infringements from the Blues.

Newell was productive around the paddock with 15 tackles, four carries, and don’t underestimate his contribution in the Crusaders winning 23 of their 25 lineouts. Lifting, mauling, and disrupting all become increasingly arduous in the torrid scrap.

Before the match, Scott Barrett was interrogated by the press about Reiko Ioane’s social media posturing. In a feeble attempt to steer clear of eventually misplaced hype, the All Blacks captain revealed that battered blindside, Auckland anthesis, and son of Crusaders royalty, Todd Blackadder, Ethan Blackadder, isn’t even active on social media. He’s too busy to notice. Blackadder made a slavish 31 tackles and 13 carries. At the breakdown, Blackadder was more irritating than truant teens loitering at Riccarton shopping malls.

After conceding two early penalties, Christian Lio-Willie soared at the restarts, lineouts and powered through 17 tackles while gaining a game-high total of 46 metres from 11 determined carries. Most importantly he balanced anticipation and aggression to force the 86th minute turnover that eventually settled the outcome.  The Blues last salvo stretched to a staggering 38 phases.

Interestingly, Blues talisman Beauden Barrett has lost his last six consecutive matches against the Crusaders. He is 0-4 in playoffs against the 14-time champions.

Will Jordan scored two tries, bringing his total to 47 tries in 65 appearances (52 wins) for the Crusaders. While catching his breath during an interview with Sky TV, he responded to a question about facing pressure by saying, “Honestly, we just had to smile and accept it.” To a Crusaders supporter in chilly Christchurch, that sentiment is as beautiful as a lyric from the late Brian Wilson.

Damian McKenzie (Chiefs)

There was no faltering from Damian McKenzie as the Chiefs bundled the Brumbies out of the semis for the second time in three seasons.

McKenzie equalled the Chiefs’ record for the most penalties in a single match, successfully converting six and finishing with a total of 22 points.

The record for the most points in a Super Rugby semi-final is held by Derick Hougaard, who scored all 27 of the Bulls’ points against the Crusaders in 2008. In 2009, Morné Steyn kicked four drop goals in a haul of 21 points against the Crusaders, and he topped that with 24 against the same opponent in 2010.

Blues fullback Adrian Cashmore was the first Kiwi to score twenty or more points in a semi-final, achieving 21 points in a 55-36 thumping over the Sharks in 1997. He repeated the feat with 22 in a 37-31 win against the Highlanders in 1998. Richie Mo’unga also accomplished this milestone twice, scoring 20 points against the Hurricanes in 2019 and 22 against the Blues in 2023.

In addition to his impressive 8 out of 9 goal-kicking, McKenzie’s overall game management was outstanding. He created a try for Josh Jacomb and made an incredible try-saving tackle on Tom Wright, who sparkled for the Brumbies with 20 carries and 163 meters gained.

Could wingers Emoni Narawa and Corey Toole mark each other in a Test match? Both were electric, each scoring two tries, with Toole briefly flattening McKenzie with a Jonah Lomu-style bump.

The Brumbies scrum wilted, the Chiefs extracting regular penalties as a ravenous collective.

The Chiefs’ loose forwards were at their abrasive and athletic best. Luke Jacobson topped the tackle count with 26. Samipeni Finau was explosive with 17 tackles and a growing presence on the edges with the possession.

Throughout his illustrious Super Rugby career, McKenzie has played 139 matches and scored 1,454 points, achieving 91 wins. Against the Crusaders, he has a respectable 206 points and ten wins in 20 matches, but none of those victories have occurred in the playoffs.