The Crusaders have produced a defensive master class to qualify for the Super Rugby final, defeating the Chiefs by 14 points in Christchurch.
Final score
Crusaders 27
Chiefs 14
The Crusaders host the Chiefs in the first Super Rugby semi-final at AMI Stadium in Christchurch. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 5.35pm (AEST).
The Crusaders are coming off a strong performance in difficult conditions, winning 17-0 over the Highlanders in a comprehensive display. The Chiefs, on the other hand were made to work very hard in their quarter-final, away in South Africa before eventually overcoming the Stormers 17-11.
Both sides have named incredibly strong looking line ups this evening, with both rosters boasting a large number of All Blacks. The Crusaders, in particular, look exceptionally strong up front and would perhaps be favoured there while the Chiefs backline looks as lethal as ever, particularly the experienced halves pairing of Tawera Kerr Barlow and Aaron Cruden could prove to be a vital edge for the visitors.
While the Crusaders strengths up front are well known the Chiefs themselves have a quality pack and led by Brodie Retallick and Sam Cane, will more than fancy their chances against their more vaunted opposition and if they can gain parity up front, the creativity of the Chiefs halves will cause the Crusaders plenty of headaches all night.
However, if they allow the Crusaders pack to roll forward, it’s not hard to see the Crusaders playing in a similar vein to last weekend, keeping the Chiefs pinned in their own half, particularly if the weather conditions are poor.
Certainly another clinical display like last week will go a long way to securing the Crusaders a place in yet another final.
There are plenty of match ups to watch across the park, but two in particular will be worth keeping an eye on. The first is in the second row where the two starting All Black partners, Retallick and Sam Whitelock face off against one another. On the openside, Cane will be up against Matt Todd in what should be a great clash between two quality flankers.
Prediction
While the Crusaders are rightfully favourites for this match, I suspect the greater experience in the halves of the Chiefs will prove crucial to the outcome of this match so, with that being said, the upset is on this evening.
Chiefs by 3.
Join us live on The Roar for kick off at 5.35pm (AEST) as we cover all the action live and don’t be shy of leaving your thoughts on the match in the comment section below.
Rugby Tragic
Roar Rookie
boUnce! ...lol
Pinetree
Guest
Right you are, my bad, 05 was the Tahs/Saders.
Sylvester
Guest
'06, I think. The year I first moved to London and had to watch at crazy o'clock at the Walkabout.
R2D2
Guest
That defence by the Sader was just awesome. Tough semi .
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks mate, it is what it is, a great challenge. Lions are a fantastic side, should be a great game tonight. GO CANES!!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Nicely said OB. You can be rightfully proud of your boys. Huge ticker to put in a performance like that after so much travel. Huge psychological blow after the disallowed try. Did well to always be in the hunt until the big Fijian put the game beyond their reach.
taylorman
Guest
Boy Digger you have one, hopefully two very nervous waits and doesn't look like getting any easier if they beat the Lions and have to travel to a settled in Saders side in Chch. Good call, good luck.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Kia and congrats mate, looking very good for next week regardless!
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks lads.
Digby
Roar Guru
Cheers Andrew.
Digby
Roar Guru
Hard luck OB, bad luck for the boys leaving but at the same time, they should be very proud of the legacy and consistency they have helped create for the Chiefs franchise. Wish them all the best as they move on into the future.
Machooka
Roar Guru
CHCH
Digby
Roar Guru
Thanks for joining me here for a wonderful curtain raiser to the big game later this evening between the Lions and Hurricanes in Johannesburg in about three hours time. Hope you can all join me here back on the Roar for the second semi final, kick off at 10.30PM AEST. Cheerio.
Digby
Roar Guru
The Crusaders have produced a master class in defence to produce a comfortable victory over the Chiefs by 27 to 13 at home in Christchurch and will play in yet another Super Rugby final. The Chiefs started the match full of intent and dominated the early stages with territory and possession but could not crack the Crusaders in the opening stanza as the home sides defence stood resolute before the tide eventually turned and the Crusaders opened the scoring with an early penalty for offside converted by Richie Mo’unga opened the scoring for the Crusaders and then almost immediately from the kick off, the Crusaders counter attack from their own half saw a wonderful try scored by halfback Bryn Hall, converted by Mo’unga as the Crusaders threatened to pull away with the match early. The Chiefs however fought their way back into the match, a brilliant attack and kick looked to have seen the Chiefs hit straight back through winger Tim Nanai Williams only to be denied by the TMO, ruling a knock on as he dived to regather and score but consistent attack from the Chiefs earned two penalties to Damian McKenzie and the Chiefs had closed the gap to just four at halftime, 10-6 but still the Crusaders defence had stood firm despite all the pressure. The second half started in much the same vein, the Chiefs again making all the play but the Crusaders defence continued to hold and a breakout saw the Chiefs under pressure inside their 22 and a fumble from James Lowe, under pressure from a Mo’unga tackle popped up for Israel Dagg to score the easiest try he will ever have and the Crusaders pushed out to a fifteen point lead then a superbly worked set piece try from a scrum saw powerful winger Seta Tamanivalu crash over and the writing was on the wall for the Chiefs. Despite the score line, the Chiefs certainly did not lack for endeavour but try as they might, the Crusaders defence continued to hold and to add further salt to the wound, Tamanivalu scored a second in the corner after Chiefs ill-discipline gifted the Crusaders several opportunities at the line to threaten to blow the score out. The Chiefs were finally rewarded for all their efforts, scoring a fine try to workhorse lock Brodie Retallick but it was too little too late and on the back of a fantastic defensive effort the Crusaders ran out winners by 27-13 and now wait to see the result of the second semi-final between the Lions and the Hurricanes to find out where the final will be held.
Machooka
Roar Guru
Commiserations OB... yeah, unfortunately Leitch didn't have a good game. Poor handling. Regardless, you should be proud of your boys... they certainly didn't lack in effort!
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Haha nice one Pinetree. That fog might hide the dismal crowd. My brother was in the crowd. He should have an easy time picking himself and his family out when he watches the replay.
Ed
Guest
Joburg.
Old Bugger
Guest
You can't win finals rugby when you keep dropping the pill inside your opponents 22. I counted 5 knock-ons by the Chiefs on attack and in the red zone. Great Saders defence. Congrats to the Saders supporters for the team's fantastic defence and ability to turn that into points. It will be a bloody tough assignment for whomever they meet next week. To Dave Rennie- cheers for the past 6 seasons. To Cruds, Lowe, Elliott, TKB and Leitch along with possibly Messam and Beaver - cheers guys for a fantastic ride these past 6years. Good luck to all of you in your future endeavours and enjoy your new surroundings wherever, those may be. I'm sure, I'm not the only one wondering how you guys managed to take the game to the Saders considering the travel impacts but you did.....simple errors and momentum swings in the end, became very costly but, I'd suggest all Chiefs supporters would be so proud, of your efforts tonight. I am......thanx guys. So now, it's time to look to the GF next week and then, the RC series thereafter.
Kia Kaha
Roar Guru
Cheers RT. Standing ovation for Rennie. Brought Crusader-like finals consistency to a franchise previously not accustomed to winning so many games. Cruden has served NZ rugby so well. One of my favorite players. Will we see McKenzie in that 10 shirt next year?
taylorman
Guest
Jburg if Lions win, or Christchurch if Canes win.