‘It’s our time’: Why the Chiefs 'don’t fear’ the Crusaders’ dynasty
From practically the opening whistle of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific campaign, the Chiefs have proven themselves to be a cut above the rest.
But it all comes down to this. On Saturday, the Chiefs’ practically perfect campaign will either be rendered an overwhelming success or defined by a heartbreaking defeat.
Standing in their way of Super Rugby glory – what would be their first title since 2013 – are the champion Crusaders. The Crusaders’ dynasty of six titles in as many years is unmatched, and could extend to seven this weekend.
But the Chiefs don’t “fear” their opponents. Rather, they’re out to forge their own legacy.
“I imagine they take some confidence out of their legacy of being able to step up on the big stage. There’s no point denying that, it is what it is, but we certainly don’t fear it,” coach Clayton McMillan said, as reported by Newshub.
“We think we have a real chance to create a little bit of a legacy for ourselves and it starts on Saturday.
“I’ve been fortunate to be involved in some pretty big games, but this is big for the club and the region.
“We acknowledge the magnitude of the occasion, but the boys are excited about it.
“The last couple of weeks have been the toughest, because we came p against opposition that were good teams, had a lot to gain and not a lot to lose, and they can be tough games.
“We’ve earnt the opportunity to play at home. I won’t say the hard work is done, but the stuff that makes you anxious has been pushed to the side.
“Now there’s just genuine excitement.”
The Chiefs started their season with an emphatic 21-point win over the Crusaders at Christchurch’s Orangetheory Stadium.
Replacement Cortez Ratima sent the visitors into a frenzy with an incredible try during the second half – linking up with playmaker Josh Ioane on a play that started inside their own half.
The Hamilton-based franchise continued to overcome each and every task that was thrown at them for most of the season.
Sitting comfortably in first place on the ladder, the Chiefs recorded another win over the Crusaders – beating them by 10 points in Hamilton.
While the Chiefs’ flawless run came to a surprising end at the hands of the Queensland Reds in New Plymouth, the loss didn’t put a dent in their championship credentials.
They were widely seen as the favourites heading into the playoffs.
The Chiefs have done it tough in the finals though, having recorded two tough wins over the Queensland Reds and ACT Brumbies.
As for the Crusaders, they’ve gone big in both their quarter and semi-final – including a 52-15 win over Beauden Barrett’s Blues last Friday.
But McMillan explained why that one-sided result has actually done the Chiefs “a lot of favours.”
“The way that the Crusaders took it to the Blues to piece last week has done us a lot of favours,” he added.
“They played extremely well and all that’s done is raise awareness about what’s coming, not that we need any convincing.
“We know they can perform on the big stage, but I think it was better for us than seeing a tight contest.”
The Super Rugby Pacific final between the Chiefs and Crusaders at Hamilton’s FMG Stadium gets underway at 7.05 pm NZST on Saturday.
Comments on RugbyPass
ABs lost against a side playing without a hooker - The guy playing, had one shoulder. Line outs were a gimme for the ABs, and the last 8 minutes 14 played 14 against a team that had been smashed 3 weeks in a row… Yet with all that possession, with all that territory, with all the advantages they actually had, especially in the last 8 minutes, they couldn’t buy a point. Those last 8 minutes determined if they outplayed the Boks or not. History will show that the Boks completely outplayed the ABs, especially in those last 8 minutes, the business end of any rugby match
225 Go to commentsWould’ve, could’ve, should’ve, didn’t.
225 Go to commentsKok will become a fan favourite
1 Go to commentsI am really looking forward to Leigh Halfpenny playing his first Super rugby game for the Crusaders Playing a long side his former Welsh and Scarlets team mate Johnny McNicoll.Johnny has been playing great, back in a Crusaders jersey.The attack has strengthened big time. Also looking forward to David Havili at 10. David is a class act, it also allows Dallas McLeod to remain at 12. A good thing.
1 Go to commentsIf he had stopped insisting on playing in the backrow, instead of wing, where everyone told him he should, he would have been a Bok years ago….
11 Go to comments‘Salads don’t win scrums’ 😂 I love that.
19 Go to commentsCan’t wait for the article that talks about misogyny in Ireland. Somehow.
16 Go to commentsI would like to see a rule change, when the attacking team is held up over the try line, by allowing the defensive team to restart a goal line drop out releases the pressure for the defensive team, but what if the attacking team had to restart a tap 5m out from the defensive team it gives the attacking team to apply more pressure, there are endless options for the attacking side and it will keep the fans in suspence.
2 Go to commentsLess modern South African males predictably triggered.
16 Go to commentsMy heart is with Quins, but the head is convinced Toulouse have too much. Ntamack is back, his timing and wisdom has been missed.
1 Go to commentsWow, what a starting line up for the Sharks) Tasty up front,kremer vs Tshituka or venter …fiery ,,Lavannini ,,will he knobble etzebeth? Biggest game for belleau?
1 Go to commentsIt was rubbish to watch, Blues weren’t even present. Did what they had to do, nothing more. Should be better next week against canes.
1 Go to commentsI’ve just noticed that this match has an all-French refereeing team. Surely a game like this ought to have a neutral ref? Although looking at the BBC preview of the Saints game, Raynal is also down as reffing that - so there may be some confusion about who is reffing what.
1 Go to commentsIf Havili can play anywhere in the back line, why not first 5. #10.
11 Go to commentsThe dressing room had already left for their summer break before they ran out in Dublin that year, and that’s on the coach. Franco Smith has undoubtedly made progress, particularly their maul, developing squad players and increasing squad depth. And against a very tight budget too. That said they were too lightweight last year and got found out against both Toulon and Munster in consecutive games. Better this season so far but they’ve developed something of a slow start habit occasionally, most notably losing at home to Northampton who played them at their own game. Play offs will ultimately show whether there has been tangible progress on last year, or not…!
2 Go to commentsAustralian Rugby has been a disaster, by not incorporating learning from previous successful campaigns. QLD Reds 2011 - Waratahs 2014. Players, coaches and administrators appoint there representatives for scheduled meetings, organisation’s agreement’s assessments and correspondence. This why a unified Rugby Union under one entity works. Every Rugby nation has taken that path. Was most difficult in the Northern hemisphere with over 100 years of club rugby before the game become professional. Took a lot of humility for those unions to eventually work together.
7 Go to commentsThough Wilson’s sacking was pretty brutal, it wasn’t just down to that Leinster game; Glasgow had a lot of 2nd half collapses that season, in the URC and Europe, and only just scraped into the playoffs. Franco Smith has definitely been an improvement, some players are delivering far more than they did under Wilson.
2 Go to commentsjesus - that front 5!
1 Go to commentsShould be an absolute cracker of a game! Will be great to see DuPont & Ntamack in tandem once again🔥
1 Go to commentsBest team ever…. To have played? These guys are still pressure chokers. Came nowhere when it counted. What a joke
84 Go to comments