The Chiefs host the Crusaders in what may very well be the match of the round. Join The Roar for this Kiwi grudge match from 5:35pm (AEDT).
Death by scrum
The scrum has played a critical role in the fortunes of Super Rugby games this year.
The Waratahs were scrummed back by the triumphant Western Force, whose set piece was ground into the dust by the Reds. The Sharks scrummaged their way to victory against the Lions. The Sharks scrum, in turn, was pummelled by the Cheetahs, who produced a famous upset.
The Bulls’ scrum has been poor. They have not won a game yet, despite home advantage. If the Brumbies took all the points offered from their early scrum dominance against the Chiefs, they would have walked away from a historic away win.
On this prospect, the Crusaders will probably be licking their chops. The Crusaders have won all 18 of their scrum feeds so far.
Midfield massacre
After two rounds, the Chiefs have the highest clean breaks this season (20), almost twice as many as the 2014 finalists. Last week, James Lowe, Charlie Ngatai, and Seta Tamanivalu cut the Brumbies midfield to shreds. The prospect of Sonny Bill Williams playing this weekend could turn the Crusaders centre lanes into the Chiefs’ bowling alley.
The Crusaders have a broad attack capability and can breach the advantage line from both the pack and the backs, as shown in their performance last week versus the Highlanders. Richie McCaw, Sam Whitelock, captain Matt Todd and many other All Blacks including, backs like Israel Dagg, will get their team close to the red zone, and score points.
One All Black who will not be joining this match is tighthead prop Owen Franks, who was suspended for two weeks for hitting Highlanders prop Josh Hohneck. But he is not the only New Zealander who has been disciplined. Kane Hames from the Highlanders and the Blues’ Hayden Triggs have also been suspended. Wellingtonian referee Mike Fraser will look to run a tight ship.
The main concern for the Crusaders is their defence. They have let through numerous line breaks and other gain line breaches that lead to points by the Rebels and the Highlanders. If they do not take care of this, the bookies odds may come to fruition, and give Chiefs a third win in a row.
RobC
Roar Guru
Robert, the Crusaders season results since 2010: - 2010: they beat Tahs by 7 points. http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/?season=2010&competition=205&team=96 - 2011: they beat Tahs by 15 points: http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/?season=2011&competition=205&team=96 - 2012: they beat Tahs by 5 points: http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/?season=2012&competition=205&team=96 - 2013: they beat Tahs by 1 point: http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/?season=2013&competition=205&team=96 - 2014: they lost by 1 point to Tahs (GF): http://www.sanzarrugby.com/superrugby/teams/?season=2014&competition=205&team=96
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Owen Franks, Sam Whitelock, Read, Nadolo, Dagg. They still have some firepower to come back, they will be around the top 6 somewhere like usual.
Robert Stuart
Guest
pretty sure the tahs beat em about 70 nil a year or two ago
RobC
Roar Guru
Doesnt look good, Harry. But they are not out. Next week will be telling. I think Saders will be angry and want to score 100 at home against the Lions. This was Saders biggest loss in a while (11 years). Others: - 21 points to Reds 2010 round 2 - 19 points to Blues 2013 round 1 - 25 points to Tahs 2004 round 1 (reached gfinals that year) - 17 points to Canes 2004 round 12 - 34 points to Blues 2003 round 2 (reached gfinals. lost the Blues) - 35 points to Brumbies 2001 round 1 (only year since 2000 they didnt reach finals series) For every loss above, Saders would rebound and do v well. They normally trounce opponents with margins of up to 80 points. This includes 2001 They have lost games from 1 to 4 quite regularly but typically close, they havent lost this badly this far into the season during Blackadders tenure The year before Blackadder took over, Deans was coach (dual role with WBs) they won the first few rounds. And not coincidentally the trophy as well (over EM's Tahs) in 2008
ohtani's jacket
Guest
It's a slow start dedicated by a World Cup year. I'm not a Crusaders fan, but the likes of Spiro continuously overlook the demands placed on Blackadder to rest players. If they'd won the Rebels game (like they should have) then dropping this game would have been okay.
Harry Jones
Expert
Are the Crusaders having a slow start or are they not that good this year
ohtani's jacket
Guest
The Crusaders fielded 7 All Blacks, but only McCaw and Crockett (and maybe Slade at a stretch) have had significant playing time in tests. Without Carter, Franks, Whitelock, Franks and Dagg they're not quite as All Black laden. I think most people expected them to lose this round.
ethan
Guest
Dare I say it, for the first time ever, us Aussies may finally be hoping McCaw gets picked for the ABs and plays 80. That may come back to haunt me.
Common Sense
Roar Rookie
Well.... That sucks.
RobC
Roar Guru
RobC
Roar Guru
RobC
Roar Guru
DISCIPLINE CHIEFS BRUMBIES Penalties conceded 10-12 Red Cards 0-0 Yellow Cards 2-1
RobC
Roar Guru
BREAKDOWN, SET PIECE CHIEFS BRUMBIES Rucks Won 64-71 Rucks Lost 4-6 Rucks Won (%) 94.1%-92.2% Mauls Won 4-4 Lineouts Won 17-11 Lineouts Lost 0-1 Lineouts Won (%) 100%-91.7% Scrums Won 2-6 Scrums Lost 0-1 Scrums Won (%) 100%-85.7%
RobC
Roar Guru
KICKS CHIEFS BRUMBIES Kicks in Play 27-23 Conversions 3/5-1/1 Penalty Goals 3/4 (75%)-3/5 (60%) Drop Goal 0/0-0/0
RobC
Roar Guru
DEFENCE CHIEFS BRUMBIES Tackles 121-87 Missed Tackles 8-14 Turnovers won 9-7
RobC
Roar Guru
ATTACK CHIEFS BRUMBIES Tries 5-1 Metres 352-260 Carries 109-94 Defenders beaten 14-8 Clean Breaks 4-3 Passes 91-124 Offloads 21-5 Turnovers conceded 15-15
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Brumbies could if they weren't turning down penalties last week.
RobC
Roar Guru
Chiefs had the wood on the Crusaders. No defining winning combinations, scrum lineout rucks tackles kicks linebreaks etc etc all superior to the Saders. Except maybe 5x more offloads - due mostly due to good collisions. The Saders were soundly beaten in all departments across the board. No need for breakdown, except that Saders lifted a bit when Ellis came on. Main highlight is Ben Tameifuna's red hair. Some like it HOT!
taylorman
Roar Guru
Shall we just hand it over now and play for something else? No ones gonna out point this side. I see the tahs don't play the Chiefs? Interesting?
Batdown
Roar Rookie
Great win for the boys. Proud Chiefs supporter right now!