The Crusaders produced a rock solid defensive effort, including the highest tackle count in Super Rugby history, and overcame a red card to Pablo Matera to blunt the Chiefs and reach a 16th final.
The Crusaders, winning for a 27th time in 27 home finals, made 222 tackles and the Chiefs enjoyed 64 percent of the ball and 68 percent of the territory but couldn’t find a way through as the hosts won 20-7 with no points scored in the second half.
One of Super Rugby’s greatest ever defensive displays was a fitting tribute to coach Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson in his 100th match in charge of the club.
“Behind the number of tackles is effort,” said Crusaders captain Scott Barrett.
“You have to give credit to the Chiefs. They threw 120 percent at us. There is going to be a lot of sore bodies in the next couple of days. We were down to 14 men and we really had to front. Finals footy is about defence.”
Overall the Chiefs spent 10min21sec in the Crusaders’ 22 and the Crusaders were in theirs for just 56 seconds.
Chiefs skipper Brad Weber was crushed.
“The Crusaders had two or three opportunities and took them all – we probably had a few more and didn’t take them.
“That one will hurt., there will be a lot of regrets. We feel like we lost it instead of them winning it. That one will take some getting over.”
Confronted with the 222 tackle stat, Weber recoiled.
“That doesn’t make me feel too much better – it probably tells me we should have scored more tries,” he said. “The conditions were seriously tough.
“I don’t think I’ve played in a game where passing was as difficult, hands are frozen. There was a lot to contend with.
“You think ‘damn man, we should have scored more points and won the game.’”
The Chiefs started nervously in windy conditions and Crusaders star Richie Mo’unga booted two penalties in the opening eight minutes, the second coming after Quinn Tupaea was sin binned after his shoulder collected Matera in the head.
Despite being a man down the Chiefs pinned the Crusaders defence in their own 22, having 100 percent possession for 12 minutes without scoring as the Crusaders put up a brick wall. Pita Gus Sowakula charged over but lost the ball and that was the just the first of several examples of poor execution that cost the team dearly.
The Crusaders gave away seven straight penalties before Berry marched Matera for his first yellow and a Chiefs score looked inevitable.
George Bower of the Crusaders charges forward. (Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)
Instead, the game took a dramatic shift. Alex Nankivell spilt the ball and Sevu Reece hacked it long. Will Jordan’s chase was enough to wrap up Weber and force him back behind the try line and soon after the 5 metre scrum Cullen Grace reached out for the opening try.
“Huge momentum swings are so imperative,” said former Wallabies coach Michael Cheika on Stan Sport. “Long periods of defence then 90 metre swings. You saw the frustration on their faces and the reaction of the players. It killed them.”
The Chiefs struck back four minutes later with Angus Ta’avao crossing and then the momentum shifted their way when Matera was marched on 32 minutes when his shoulder drove into Bryn Gatland’s head.
It was deemed a second yellow card.
Andrew Mehrtens, talking on the Stan Sport halftime coverage, said the red card was “an absurdity”, arguing that team fouls given for a side’s persistent infringements should not be grouped with individual yellows.
“He gets a team yellow card and then that second one is itself a 10 minute yellow card offence. The whole thing needs an overhaul.”
Despite Matera’s absence the Crusaders stormed further ahead. Mo’unga’s silky feet created the opening and then off the next phase he looped a long wide pass – timed to perfection despite the windy and greasy conditions – and Grace crossed for a second.
Right on halftime the Crusaders deprived a try with an intercept and their 13 point lead seemed incongruous and fortunate.
That left it at 20-7 at the break, and the Chiefs squandered several great chances. They had a 13-7 penalty advantage but failed to take any shots, and Tupaea blew a golden opportunity when his cutout pass sailed far into touch.
“It’s not a surprise the heart the Crusaders showed and the industry they showed,” said Mehrtens.
“What is surprising is with 222 tackles against a team with an attack as good as the Chiefs that the Chiefs couldn’t score more points. Brad Weber talked about it.
“They spent an extraordinary amount of time in the Crusaders’ 22 without reaping the results, so they’ll be kicking themselves.”
The failure to convert chances left a heavy mark on the Chiefs, as did their failure to take easy points on offer, chasing the bigger pay off.
“You’re thinking negatively and the opposition’s thinking positively,” said Cheika.
“Then when you start to get more opportunities – here’s an easy three – they think ‘we’ve invested so much time pounding the oppositions’ line if I take three and go back the other end maybe that’s what the opposition wants, so we’ll stay there and keep doubling down’.
“When the opposition is as good in defence as the Crusaders you can double down all you like – it doesn’t seem to work.”
Phantom
Roar Rookie
It was week referring. Penalty free kick warning lack of advantage. Berry should watch that game and be embarrassed. Crusaders are serial offenders and are never penalised enough.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Let me dream Brett :silly:
Tim
Guest
The red should have been a red card in and of itself.. compare it to ikitau’s for the brumbies the week before and it’s an identical infringement
Coker
Roar Rookie
It may be different now, but in his playing days Mehrtens was one of the very few players who knew the rule book backwards.
AndyS
Guest
It is about foul play. What a ref is saying with a team card is that that many offences is not accidental, it is foul play on the part of the whole team and the next 'accident' is going to the bin. Whoever is dumb enough to be that person probably deserves it IMO, although I would have some sympathy for the notion that it should be the captain that goes to the bin for a team card as he is the one in the position of responsibility. Might even see a few less of them.
Tim Carter
Roar Pro
Very true, but if it's now 20 minutes for a red card, it shouldn't be 30 minutes for two yellows.
SwissRugbyFan
Roar Rookie
Didn't See that coming. When the stormers win today against ulster it is a sa final. Who ha thought that
Brett McKay
Expert
No, I wouldn't make that assumption Paulo - at least two (from memory) of Rayasi's card were for deliberate knock-downs, which certainly aren't foul or damgerous play. Technical or team infringements may be ruled out, but individual and cyncial infringements won't be..
Tim J
Roar Rookie
It has taken time but he is getting back to the Mounga of old, I am waiting patiently for tonight’s game as it should be a ripper.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
I've always admired the Saders. When the game is in the bag or their opponent's kicker is shxt, they know when to give away a penalty. If they are well ahead, someone will be caught offside and often get away with it or the ref will award their opponents a penalty. If the opposition has a 50/50 chance of getting three points, that is worth the risk. The losing side will generally need to kick for the line while the Crusaders have a rest and reset. Different players will infringe so no particular player is targeted by the ref. They will chat to the ref about the issue and they relish a ref's warning and team chat as the clock runs down and they rest more. As an Argentine, Pablo may not be used to having cameras on him.
Double Agent
Guest
He's playing really well.
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Or Aussie players
Bill Henderson
Guest
IRB must change the rules. Yellow and red cards MUST be a consequence of foul and/or reckless play. Presently they are about accidents-the game is fast becoming a game of chance. The skills and training of the teams secondary to how unlucky one team is compared to the other -when it comes to the issuance of yellow and red cards which have absolutely nothing to do with the deliberate actions of the players. IRB destroying the game!
CUW
Roar Rookie
wasnt monstering but it was a close match. blue team must be weary after heinecken cup final and a 1/4 that was one sided. it will be crazy if stormers get over ulster.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
DA… Lack of variation on attack, frustration with the Crusaders defence and Gatland lacking leadership at 10 all helped to contribute to the loss. Even with the Crusaders under huge pressure Mounga controlled things so well. :thumbup:
CUW
Roar Rookie
think he is confused - of the six penalties before Materea yellow 4 off side and 2 scrum then Matera was off side and got team yellow. maybe around 20 minutes or a bit later coz i think Chiefs 12 was back on from his yellow. the next one was when he came back on - think around 34 minutes - so basically he played less than 25 minutes.
CUW
Roar Rookie
no in europe too long is usually when the guy going after the ball is using other players on the ground for support. basically its when if not for the guys under him the pilferer cannot stay on his feet. hands before the ball is when the player keeps hand on the ground first and then uses a raking action to get to the ball. but i think this is a confusing call - becoz sometimes the ball carrier will place the ball and then drag it back yo his body - and the guy going after the ball is placing hands where he thinks the ball weill be. i dont see much of an issue with it - as long as the pilferer is prone and uses hands to support the body and stay upright
CUW
Roar Rookie
i think the WR regulation is about cards - not about why they were given i think its copied from football - where 4 or 5 cards during the season is automatic match ban - without a hearing. however rugger seems to like to complicate everything while being ambiguos at the same time :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Awesome, thank you. Brett! “17.9.5 A Player who has received a combination of three or more Temporary Suspensions and/or Citing Commissioner Warnings in any particular tournament or competition or Series of Matches under the jurisdiction of the Host Union, Association or Tournament Organiser during a single season shall be required to appear before a Disciplinary Committee or Judicial Officer…” Seems like this could be the issue for Matera. It’s noteworthy that he does have 4 yellow cards, but with one being a team yellow and the first one against the Tahs for pulling down a maul, they see those two as not being ‘foul’ or ‘dangerous’ play and let him play. It will be interesting and I’ll admit not as clear cut as I thought. I don’t know why I’m surprised at that. This is the RFU reference I found. I haven’t looked to see what is considered technical and what is foul. https://www.englandrugby.com/dxdam/04/042406ea-72ca-473f-a4d4-7af5f14f01b5/Regulation%2019%20Appendix%201.pdf
Double Agent
Guest
The Chiefs reminded me of the WBs in the last decade of Bledisloe. Multiple futile phases inside the 22 before the inevitable turnover or dropped ball. A turnover being converted into a long range try. Not taking shots at goal. Bombing opportunities with poor handling. It brought back disturbing flashbacks for me!! :shocked: