The Crusaders have defended their Super Rugby Aotearoa title with a 24-13 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch.
Thanks to early tries from Sevu Reece and Will Jordan, the Crusaders were never headed, the win adding another trophy to their burgeoning cabinet.
Remarkably, they were two players down for much of the second half, with both Reece and Codie Taylor spending time in the sin-bin. Yet the champs held firm, a Richie Mo’unga drop goal with just minutes left sealing the result.
A packed house was treated to an exhibition of the best of New Zealand rugby from both sides before the hosts secured a 12th Super Rugby title, a second in the domestic edition and a fifth in a row.
Reece and Jordan scored their tries in the first 16 minutes but thereafter the Crusaders – reduced to 13 men in the second half – had to rely on the boot of their fellow All Black, five-eighth Mo’unga, to keep the Chiefs at arm’s length.
Damian McKenzie scored all the points for the Chiefs, converting his own try and kicking two penalties, but the fullback will rue his usual accuracy from the tee deserting him for a period around halftime when he missed three shots at goal.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
I’d also just add a disclaimer. The comments by BiB are his own personal views and do not represent the views of the majority of NZs and we do not endorse them.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
While not a fan of the dancing as such - tend to watch through fingers held to my face - the thing about it I like is the obvious relationship he has with the players. They are obviously close and feel relaxed with each other and are able to have a laugh, while being comfortable looking like a fool in front of them. That’s my take on it, but as an out and out Crusader - I have to find the good in it lol
Paulo
Roar Rookie
That’s the spirit of sportsmanship and camaraderie that really epitomises the mate-ship of rugby on and off the field... :silly:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
“But we have to accept in this day and age the new pandering classes of the disgruntled left. Unbelievable.” You’re ‘this day and age’ comment of course refers to the late 1800’s when the term started to incorporate the whole of New Zealand. Given Maori didn’t have a name for the whole of NZ, what was the option? Use Niu Tireni - the Maori translation of the European name for their country? That’s a very Empirical mindset to assume so. I’m not sure there was a lot of pandering to the left back in 1800’s, but you seem to be the history buff. Please enlighten us to the woke ideals of the 1800’s Left...
Paulo
Roar Rookie
If you weren’t entertained and on the edge of your seat for the Aus Final, that’s on you. The game was great and thoroughly enjoyed it, with all its drama and 84th minute finish. Comments like yours only increase the animosity from commenters and do not serve to grow the relationship and mateship our two countries desperately need. Please keep those kind of comments to yourself next time and go back to licking windows.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
BackinBlack, with comments like yours I guessing you one of the ones that emigrated to Australia to raise the IQ in NZ? I saw the Aus final and all the games and thoroughly enjoyed them as I did our ones in NZ.
TRhing-me
Roar Rookie
Aotearoa? Aotearoa? Aotearoa used to originally refer to the North Island of New Zealand. not the whole of NZ. But we have to accept in this day and age the new pandering classes of the disgruntled left. Unbelievable.
Joe King
Roar Rookie
Australia thanks you for your superiority.
Greysy
Roar Rookie
Boo...
BackInBlack
Guest
Yeeeeeeaaaaaaahhhhhh well done boys ! Now for Razor to step up to the top job. Has anyone seen the Oz version? Reminds me of Piggy Muldoon’s wise observation “kiwis emigrating to Australia raises the IQ of both countries”. The same could be said of our rugby players :laughing:
WEST
Roar Guru
Great!! Now we have to watch Razor try to dance.. not sure what that is actually?? Certainly not Breakdancing! He’s looking.. more limited in his moves these days. To many surf injuries