Chiefs
26
Match Complete
Crusaders
25
| D. McKenzie |  | 77 | ||
| 64 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| D. McKenzie |  | 61 | ||
| J. Lowe |  | 60 | ||
| 52 | | C. Taylor | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 47 | ||
| L. Boshier | | 46 | ||
| 31 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 29 | | W. Jordan | ||
| 27 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 25 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 21 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 12 | ||
| 6 | | R. Mo'unga | ||
| 4 | | L. Fainga'anuku |
| 2 | Tries | 3 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 2 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 2 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
The Chiefs are faced with one of the toughest tasks in world provincial rugby as they welcome the Crusaders to FMG Stadium Waikato this evening. Follow all the action from this Super Rugby Aotearoa clash with live scores here on The Roar.
Such a dominant force in Super Rugby for so long, the Crusaders haven’t quite been themselves over the last two weeks. A fortnight ago they lost at home to the Highlanders, while they required a David Havili drop-goal in golden point to get over the Hurricanes last week.
The Chiefs, meanwhile, have worked themselves right into contention for a place in the final thanks to a trio of consecutive wins. A fourth today will get them even closer to the decider.
Their cause hasn’t been helped by an MCL injury to Quinn Tupaea, but they do receive a boost with Lachlan Boshier making his long-awaited season debut. Damian McKenzie, who kicked the game-winner last week, shifts from fullback to flyhalf, with Chase Tiata starting at 15.
There’s been some bad news on the injury front for the Crusaders. Centre Jack Goodhue is gone for the year with a busted ACL, and fellow All Black Joe Moody is out of this game with a toe complaint.
Sam Whitelock, Whetukamokamo Douglas and Cullen Grace have all been omitted from what is a new-look forward pack for the visitors.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEST)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Live stream: Stan Sport
Betting: Crusaders $1.35, Chiefs $3.20 (odds via PlayUp)
Teams
Chiefs
(1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Angus Ta’avao, Tupou Vaa’i, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Mitchell Brown, Lachlan Boshier, Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jonah Lowe, Chase Tiatia
Bench: Nathan Harris, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Pita Gus Sowakula, Kaylum Boshier, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Bryn Gatland, Sean Wainui
Crusaders
(1-15): George Bower, Brodie McAlister, Michael Alaalatoa, Mitchell Dunshea, Quinten Strange, Scott Barrett (c), Tom Sanders, Ethan Blackadder, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo’unga, George Bridge, David Havili, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Seve Reece, Will Jordan
Bench: Cody Taylor, Isileli Tu’ungafasi, Oliver Jager, Luke Romano, Sione Havili Talitui, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Manasa Mataele
Dmac started as a 10 then became an FB so its not a major surprise and both Trask and Gatland were fit for the game. Maybe they are concerned around a Mounga backup, maybe they are looking at options. Personally I think Dmac makes a very strong bench option for the ABs.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Thanks mate. I do recall hearing Trasks name mentioned a bit in the other games. Other than a message from the powers that be, why else could they have played DMac at 10? I’m assuming both Trask and Gatland were fit? Really curious if it does look like an AB message. Wouldn’t fill me with a lot of confidence if it was from them.
Kalib Trask ( still pretty young ) is the guy that has been 10 for the 3 previous wins in a row. They have Bryn Gatland who came on last night and went to 10 and they have a good young guy in Revez Reihana
Paulo
Roar Rookie
The final whistle is not at the 80 minute mark, it’s after the first stoppage in play by the team in possession of the ball, after the &0 minute mark. I get what you’re saying. But all teams know the rules, yes, golden point can be a bit luck involved regarding the coin toss. The idea behind golden point is you get a winner (and loser). This means on a points table you are less likely to have a lot of teams on the same points and you don’t need to use points differentials or try’s scored as a tie breaker after the fact. This way, the tie breaker is applied during the game and both teams effectively have an ability to influence it.
CUW
Roar Rookie
crusaders recruitment baffles - they lost a 7 but did not buy a new one. their pack - especially the 3rd row is very average compared to the past of course the suqad is getting thinner with injuries - long term at that ! perhaps they need to look at a different split between forwards and backs - and load the 3rd row bit more ala Blues.
freddieeffer
Roar Rookie
Make that 3/3 and up to #3 on the tipping ladder!
Scotty P
Roar Rookie
Bring that that form to test rugby.
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Who knows, but all of that is based on an ‘I think’ - so until Foster or the Chiefs coach’s say ‘this was a directive from on high’, it’s all based on a guess. Who else would have been 10 last night if not DMac? I’m not fully across the Chiefs roster.
Yes its hardly a secret I want BB at 10. I do think this "Dmac at 10" for the Chiefs is being directed from above.....Chiefs coach didnt seem to really want to do it but maybe Foster has asked for it....And if it is a Foster ask then what are Fosters thoughts eh?
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Fair enough, but the ABs won’t unselect the incumbent 10, and best 10 in NZ, for hitting the lost on an conversion. I noticed your ‘in NZ’ qualification on your ‘best 10’ comment :stoked:
Paulo
Roar Rookie
Congratulations Chiefs. Kept going and got the win. Out muscled and out manoeuvred at the breakdown. Some interesting interpretations through the game that went both ways. Thought hitting the post might cost us in such a tight one. Confidence in the team is not what it use to be, will be an interesting couple of rounds coming up.
adam smith
Guest
Yeah very round of him thanks BD. What I am more impressed & proud of, is how much of a good young fulla he is. He’s a great husband, & even better father.
Ankle-tapped Waterboy
Roar Rookie
So having beaten the top 2 teams, the Highlanders are out of the finals running due to the stupid rule about keeping on playing if the result is a draw at the 80 minute mark. The Golden Mistake rule has allowed headline writers to use the word "thrilling" to inaccurately describe the lottery of individual matches getting results due to Golden Mistakes, but the price paid is that the overall competition becomes more random and less interesting. A fairer result would be for both teams in drawn matches to get points at the final whistle, which is at the 80 minute mark by the way.
Absolutely not. He is the best 10 in NZ at the moment. I was simply pointing out that the player you rated as “a filler at best,Handy he could slot in, Ok in an emergency but not a serious option, kicked all the points on offer and won the game by 1 point. And Mounga missed a simple conversion. If that offends you I apologise but that decided the game’s winner in the end…
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Thank you Chiefs. You are making me look clever (at the moment anyway). I tipped the cowbells because I thought that the Saders, despite winning last week, still have a wobbly wheel since their shock loss a couple of weeks ago. They have not fired back with authority (yet). They are still probably favourites for SRA and TT, but nothing is certain now. Two non-favourites up already in this round.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Needs to do it at test level now. He's not started the magic 30 tests yet so that's ok.
Maybe he will be better in his 3rd game there in 4 years next week highlander...Looked to be very safe tonight...
Colvin Brown
Roar Guru
And the Highlanders are out.
He has an amazing engine BD....Boshier and Jackobson very good too and ALB back to his best
moaman
Roar Guru
Jacko---you are seriously biased against Mo'unga if that is the only thing you think he contributed to his team.