Sonny Bill Williams inspired the Chiefs, one of the pre-tournament favourites, to open their Super Rugby campaign by holding off a late charge by the Blues for a 23-18 win on Saturday night in Auckland.
The Chiefs made a flying start as they profited from opposition mistakes to score the game’s two tries, with Williams – on his return after two seasons in the NRL – playing a key role in both five-pointers.
From a scrum in the 11th minute, quick hands by inside centre Williams and fullback Tom Marshall had the ball out to winger James Lowe, who eluded the cover defence to dot down.
Four minutes later, Williams pulled down an uncontested midfield bomb and offloaded to winger Bryce Heem, and the former New Zealand Sevens speedster scored in his Super Rugby debut.
But the home side kept nibbling away as five-eighth Ihaha West banged over a succession of penalties.
His last with nine minutes to go pulled the Blues to within striking distance, but the Chiefs were able to wind down the clock and stretch their winning streak over their neighbours to eight matches.
West had an intriguing match-up with another young five-eighth, 19-year-old debutant Damian McKenzie, who was in for rested All Black Aaron Cruden.
McKenzie showed a willingness to take the line on, even if he did get a crunching hit on one occasion.
He also landed five kicks from seven attempts, two of them from long range.
The Blues’ only response in the first half was three West penalties but it kept them in touch at just 20-9 down at halftime.
The home side had a great opportunity to make a big dent in the deficit early in the second half when Chiefs skipper Matt Symons was sin-binned for infringing at the breakdown.
However, they couldn’t take advantage, the sides swapping penalties during the lock’s absence.
The Chiefs host the Brumbies in New Plymouth on Friday night, while the Blues play the first of two matches in South Africa when they face the Stormers later in the weekend.
Old Bugger
Guest
It doesn't worry me if he survives or not cos I'm a Chiefs supporter but if I was a Saders follower, I'd say 7 seasons without some silverware is long enough and bid adieu. Funny how Oz SR coaches fail to see 7years service without any silverware - my guess is they'd be lucky to survive 3years before being shown the door. That's like the pot calling the kettle black....but I do agree, they are not the best team in the comp and the past 6seasons is proof to that stat.
Firstxv
Guest
And so has West, including carting Hawkes bay to a championship title and Ranfurly shield win, (I'd mention the u20's but like McKanzies side they didnt win) and ITM try of the year or is that not up there with Damians non winning u 20/ non ITM winning exploits? Understand your opinion, just don't agree with it so the use of the word stup1d is just that.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
Yes the Crusaders have won a lot. I wonder how long it will be before fans like yourself lose their sense of entitlement and realise that just because your team wears black and red it doesnt mean you have the players to win the title, even if you nearly did last year. If Blackadder doesnt win the title it will mean nothing. If you sack him because he didnt it will mean you have unrealistic expectations. The Crusaders are no longer the best team in the comp, they are just 1 of a bunch of top teams, get used to it.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
Yes Ive written Wests chances of making the WC off. Yes I think he would struggle to make other NZ squads. Yes McKenzie has played other rugby besides 1 match. Yes to say I based it on 1 match was stup1d.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It was Wests first poor match for the blues. Based on that, you've written him off. It was mckenzies first Sxv match. Based on that he's better than Carter. Are you sure it wasn't the first match you've ever seen? From here it sure looks like it.
Old Bugger
Guest
Umm no, 14 coaches wont be sacked because 13 of them haven't coached the team that's won 7 titles already....for such a successful side to miss the silverware for the past 6 seasons makes TB's position, very tenuous. He carries the weight of a very proud rugby province who are experiencing a silverware drought specially when you consider the playing personnel that have graced this side, for the past 6 seasons....it was literally an AB laden side throughout but still, no silverware. So I suggest once again - there won't be any 7th heaven for TB if his 7th season as coach, fails to secure any silverware.
taylorman
Roar Guru
It's certainly unique. More consistent over the period than any franchise 'by a street', the bare minimum requirement for replacement coach the title itself surely?
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
So 14 coaches will be sacked this year? Im sorry but I dont agree with you and just because the Saders havnt won does not mean he is a bad coach or that he should be replaced. No team wins everything forever, no matter who the coach is. The Saders have performed very well with Blackadder, not badly and I see no reason to condem the coach for the Saders doing well. Only somebody with unrealistically high expectations would want to sack Blackadder after making the finals and coming so close to winning the title. 2009 semis 2010 semis 2011 final 2012 semis 2013 semis 2014 final Thats good NOT BAD.
Old Bugger
Guest
I think its 6 seasons as Saders coach and no silverware to show for it....he stepped in (2009) after Dingo stepped out (2008) and they were the reigning SR champs. Questionable penalty or not - nobody remembers 2nd place or worse....so, either coach will need to win the silverware this year otherwise this could be the last season, for one or both of them.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
I Didnt realise this was the first rugby match ever played. Needless to say that that is a stup1d comment. I base my opinion on more than 1 match.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Good to see you got so much conjecture from one match then...
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
Imo the Cheifs are the team to beat this year and they showed us why with Rettalick, Gear, Tameifuna, Squire, Cruden, Messam, Afeaki and others not taking part. The Blues still have the same problems, they have no flyhalf. Imo Ihia West was rubbish. I remember some suggesting he would make the WC team but imo he would need Carter, Sapoanga, Cruden, Barrett, McKenzie, Taylor and Slade to be injured. Yet again the Blues have a first choice flyhalf that would probably not make any other NZ squad in that position, let alone start. I thought Cowan was pretty good and I liked Piutau on the wing with Visinia at the back but the team lacks direction on the field from the 10 spot yet again. If you want a big call then here it is, D.McKenzie will be better than D.Carter. I cant say enough good things about that guy, at 19 he was tackling the likes of Kaino and Faumuina, running at the line with conviction, staying composed and guiding the team like a veteran. Im looking forward to seeing Ford, Pollard and McKenzie battling it out for the 'best flyhalf in the world' in the years to come. SBW was again a major threat, imo he will be the first choice 12 for NZ again and the best 12 in the world this year. Hes too good and has too much to offer for Hansen to ignore imo. SBW makes huge metres and creates too much space for those around him for Nonu to get the nod imo.
RobC
Roar Guru
tman, Blues exploited Chiefs weaknesses in rucks and defence esp 2nd half. Can see where they can work on. West, defence. Well, attack too. Kaino too eager They will face a strong Stormers next week though.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
Im pretty sure that TB was sitting on the sidelines when his team were winning the 2014 final in the final moments, only to be pipped by a very questionable penalty.
YouCantBeSerious
Guest
It wasnt poor coaching at all. It was a poor decision by Li. The Blues were playing too much in the wrong areas and the coach directed them not to, thats not poor coaching.
ethan
Guest
I agree, really poor coaching. The Blues lack of structure, and passive defence, really cost them. They obviously lack a centre, but their whole game plan seems to be throw it side to side and hope. They looked better in the second hand when they started going straighter, but I think they're in for it against the Stormers next week.
taylorman
Roar Guru
Yep I think OB realises that now. JK keeps saying they can't keep making those mistakes, and he's right, and they do. But that's because they're aligned to a high risk, no contingency gameplan. There's no real on field leadership from a technical perspective, leaving everyone to pitch in for themselves. Then again...same tape, different year...
Old Bugger
Guest
oops sorry - I like many others, are with you on that point. JK is sliding like TB is with the Saders.
ben
Guest
?? Im talking about the blues coaching team........
Akari
Roar Rookie
West should have been taken off at the 50th minute as it was clear by then that he had no idea what he was doing. With JK instructing the team not to play in their 'dead zone' in the 2nd half, it seemed to me that he had also lost the plot. At one point Li had the ball in his 22 with 3 Chiefs forwards in front of him and he, as instructed, chose to kick the ball out just on the 22 line when he would have run the ball out. It was a poor decision followed up by a rushed and poor kick. The ball didn't go far with the subsequent lineout and momentum were handed back to the Chiefs again and from the halfway mark. The coach must go if this is the best game plan that he could come up with.