You couldn’t wipe the smile off Scott Robertson’s face when he addressed the media earlier this month and spoke about the road to the All Blacks coaching job.
It’s unlikely his beaming smile and laugh would have been seen nor heard on Friday evening in Christchurch, as his champion Crusaders side suffered a surprise defeat to the Chiefs at home.
Despite running out to a 10-0 lead and a 10-7 lead at half-time, the Chiefs scored an unanswered 31 points to suffer an upset loss in what shapes as Robertson’s final year in charge of the kings of Super Rugby.
Indeed, since Robertson took over from Todd Blackadder in 2017, the Crusaders have won six titles in as many years, including last year’s brilliant victory over the Blues at Eden Park.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
The victory showcased all that is great about the Chiefs; brilliant, elusive running, a strong set-piece, quick ruck speed and playmakers Damian McKenzie and Josh Ioane.
It also signalled to the competition that 2023 – the first season since 2019 that is a fully-fledged competition after three years of Covid headaches – promises to be one of the most exciting and competitive in years.
Cortez Ratima’s try in the 69th minute – the Chiefs’ fourth of the match and third of the second half – was the icing on the cake for the visitors.
Replacement livewire Ioane ran to the line with the ball in both hands and fooled the defence before finding his speedy halfback on the inside who managed to fend away Leicester Fainga’anuku brilliantly to score a stunning try.
Captain Sam Cane, who was yellow carded in the first half for clumsily picking up the ball in an offside position but later scored the first try of the second half from close range,
“I thought we hung in there really well in the first half. We actually put ourselves under a lot of pressure – our lineout wasn’t as sharp, scrum time, all the fundamentals – and I thought in the second half we got a lot of that right,” Cane said.
“We looked really good when we started dominated collisions and using the ball and we started exiting really well, so really pleased with the second half.
“I’ve got a lot of belief in this squad. I feel like we’ve been building for a few years.”
The Crusaders missed the experience and calm head of Sam Whitelock, who was ruled out earlier in the week because of a concussion sustained in their trial against the Hurricanes.
Captain Scott Barrett, who replaced Whitelock as captain last year, lamented his side’s start after half-time.
“I think we were a bit off there,” he said.
“Not a great start from us.
“I think that critical part, the 20 after half-time, they won the arm-wrestle in terms of territory, we couldn’t quite exit and they just mounted pressure and that equated into points.”
Japan-bound playmaker Richie Mo’unga scored the opening points of the night when he slotted a field goal in the 12 minute when the Crusaders were playing under advantage.
Cane’s yellow card near his own goal was capitalised on by the Crusaders, who scored moments later when David Havili scored next to the posts in the 19th minute to help the home side run out to a 10-0 lead.
Brodie Retallick, who was one of the Chiefs’ best, banged over from close range in the 33rd minute.
Cane’s try early in the second half put the wheels in motion before Alex Nankivell’s try a minute after a yellow card to Ethan Blackadder meant the visitors were well on their way to an upset victory.
Ratima’s late try sealed the deal, as Ioane continued to dazzle on a ground very few come away with the last laugh.
The Chiefs will be confident of extending their run when they travel to Melbourne to play Moana Pasifika next Saturday night for Super Round while the Crusaders will play the Highlanders to kick off the festival of rugby on Friday night.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
What says Fiji can't win the RWC? Any team can win it, can they not?
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Better kicking game than RM on the day and that was a big difference is what I am saying. His running is a bit all over the shop for mine too, but it doesn’t hurt the chiefs and there are other teams who have such runners and it doesn’t cause them problems. The team can fit around it. To say he is not international std is a big call. I think there are international teams that would happily have him as first five. I don’t actually mind players with the speed and elusiveness to find the gaps and create cracks. Seldom do you see DMac turn over the ball, unlike some straight runners. His teammates just hang back a little and watch where the holes are being created. Sometimes the gaps just aren’t there and he tests the defence. More than one way to test defences in my view and the more variety the better as long as its somewhat organised chaos and I think the Chiefs do have structure. Lets see how he develops over the season before we start talking of whether or not he is deserving of a black jersey. He certainly is worthy of the Chiefs one right now and on the day I feel he outperformed and had a bigger impact than RM, not by a lot but enough.
Todd
Roar Rookie
Personally disagree - I thought it showed that DMac is not up to international standard. Sure, improved kicking game but still running sidewayslike a headless chook at times. Sure, tiredness may have had something to do with it, but I thought Josh Ioane actually looked very classy with his straight running into gaps and offloads when he came on.
Kai Levuka
Guest
Looks like the anyone but Fossie train is full steam ahead :)
Kai Levuka
Guest
What’s the bigger downside for Razor? Missing out on the SRP title or getting experience with an international team (Fiji) but not winning the World Cup? :)
Brendan NH Fan
Roar Rookie
While I know its a joke never underestimate the media's ability to talk up every mistake and try make it a big issue and cast doubt on his appointment
Reframe
Roar Rookie
Pete, Happy New rugby season. Good call!!! Alas a bad day for Razor and co, but great game by the Highlanders. I digress, I guess my views on "SBWtf am I here for" haven't changed from last year. Can't box, can't string a sentence together, highly overrated, zero value add, highly paid waste of space as far as commentary is concerned. Perhaps Bro Quadeee might be of assistance to him ... who knows? Equally horrible is the chief pronuncier of all names soon perfectly Mr S Maloney, if I am not wrong. Fingernails on a chalkboard stuff. If it wasn't for lack of commentary options it would be laughable. HG and Roy should would be my vote for commentary. Numerous Uno. Pete Samu for Prime Minister!!! :laughing:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
I don't like that he comes out in the press. He could be more respectful. Apart from that I like the fact he represents a completely new approach.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Its a demanding audience out there Jacko :shocked:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
WHY doesn't NZR have faith in the bloke. There MUST be some validity in that.
Pete Samu's Tucked Shirt
Roar Rookie
Totally off topic Christy, but could you do a piece from a fans perspective on the need to get rid of Sonny Bill Williams as a guest commentator? He is absolutely rubbish, an annoyance, and plenty of fans agree. He needs to be gone asap. The bloke is a clown behind the microphone and offers zero insight, besides the obvious, into the game itself. Take him back Sky Sports
Chivas
Roar Rookie
I thought Mckenzie's kicking game was the difference. Richie did everything else well and his kicking was solid.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
I agree 6 just don't cut the mustard.. one early season loss and there are serious question marks over your coaching ability :happy:
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Haha you really do need to win 7 titles in a row before you can claim to be any good. Anyone does 6 lol. :silly: :laughing:
Bobby
Roar Rookie
Gee, so many Kiwis on here thought that Razor is a coaching "guru". Maybe NZ Rugby is smarter than people give them credit !
Cannonball
Roar Rookie
Huge difference in O’Keefe’s approach vs Berry for Brums/Tahs. Going to be plenty of interesting “discussions” on trans-Tasman marches! Hoping refs don’t become the centre of those…
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Agree, early days. But good start for the Chiefs and deserved with the Crusaders with home ground advantage.
Chivas
Roar Rookie
Yeah let’s blame Foster for the Crusaders game day selections and their loss.. couldn’t be the Crusaders coach. Must be the outside influence of someone else.
JamesD
Guest
That game was the perfect start for the comp, excellent game and the dominant Crusaders beaten first up. Very impressed by both teams playing to the intention of the laws and the ref to keep pushing it.
Danny McGowan
Roar Rookie
Have to say, loved the game, was some bloody good stuff. Really enjoyed Ben O'Keeffe keeping the players moving quickly to lineouts and scrums, and think over the season we will see plaenty of turnover ball from set piece as I thought at times lineouts weren't set as teams would of liked and hookers were still getting breath back as they threw ball in. Also think we will see teams simplify their lineouts to make is quicker to set etc. Scrums the same less time to set up etc. It's all good and thought it showed in the riedness of teams towards end of game, Crusaders looked shattered.