The Crusaders slumped to back-to-back defeats in the Super Rugby competition on Friday night, beaten by a committed Chiefs side 24-19 in Napier.
The Crusaders, bristling with All Blacks, blew a series of chances in drizzly conditions and failed to impose themselves on a Waikato team enjoying the momentum of a comprehensive win over the Blues last week.
The Crusaders are the most successful side in Super Rugby, with seven championships, but have been far from convincing this year and the result leaves them with only one win from three games.
“In patches we put it together but too many penalties really killed us,” Crusaders captain Kieran Read said, promising a swift improvement.
“There’s a long way to go in this competition, we’ll definitely be working on a few things.”
The Chiefs’ youthful pack remained undaunted by their seasoned opponents and recorded a two-try-to-one victory.
Defence dominated the opening stages as Aaron Cruden kicked a penalty in the first minute for the Chiefs and Tyler Bleyendaal missing a chance to level after five minutes but nailing a second attempt.
Cruden then squandered two penalty opportunities but the Chiefs remained dominant, their scrum not intimidated by the Crusaders’ All Blacks-studded pack.
Fly-half Cruden restored the Chiefs’ lead after Israel Dagg was penalised for a shoulder charge, before teammate Liam Messam broke through for the first try of the match.
The ball passed through seven pairs of hands after a line-out for Messam to score, Cruden easily converting.
Former league star Sonny Bill Williams, who defected from the Crusaders in the off-season, conceded a needless penalty to his former team to narrow the gap but the Chiefs went into half-time up 16-6.
The Crusaders piled on the pressure after the break and were rewarded when Robbie Fruean latched onto a Kieran Read offload for a try, with Bleyendaal successfully converting.
Sona Taumalolo hit back with second try for the Chiefs, powering over the line past a scrambling Crusaders defence, but the Christchurch-based team kept in touch two penalties to make it 21-19.
With four minutes to play, Cruden kicked another penalty and the Chiefs defence did enough to secure the win.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Thirty-three years after going down to Queensland in Brisbane, Warren Gatland’s Welsh side will complete their tour of Australia in July by once again…
The Brumbies have been given an early season reality check, as Stephen Larkham’s men were thumped by the Chiefs 46-12 at AAMI Park on…
The Chiefs face a worrying wait over the fitness of star No.10 Damian McKenzie, who was forced off early in the second half of…
As we finish up our list of the 50 players we think are set to make a splash in 2024, it’s important to recognise…
Super Rugby Pacific has been dominated by the Kiwis so far for a reason: incredibly strong depth. It’s the obstacle that the Australian and…
Super Rugby is set for a serious shake-up in 2024 with new coaches and players, and as the season progresses, many of the players…
