Chiefs
25
Match Complete
Crusaders
15
| A. Cruden |  | 78 | ||
| A. Cruden |  | 57 | ||
| S. Wainui |  | 56 | ||
| 46 | | D. Havili | ||
| A. Cruden | | 43 | ||
| T. T. Tahuriorangi | | 42 | ||
| S. Alaimalo | | 24 | ||
| 14 | | D. Havili | ||
| 13 | | S. Reece | ||
| A. Cruden | | 10 | ||
| 4 | | S. Reece |
| 3 | Tries | 2 | ||
| 2 | Conversions | 1 | ||
| 2 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
It’s an early-season clash between two of the Super Rugby favourites when the Chiefs take on the Crusaders in Hamilton. Join The Roar for live scores and updates from 5:05pm (AEDT).
With two of the most talented squads in New Zealand – and, by obvious extension, all of Super Rugby – both of today’s teams have been touted as genuine title threats for 2020.
The Crusaders are aiming for a fourth-straight title, but their chances for this evening’s match have been dealt a blow with star flyhalf Richie Mo’unga ruled out through injury.
The playmaker played through a few niggles in last week’s win over the Waratahs and coach Scott Robertson admitted he’d be in the side were today’s match a final, but so early in the season there’s little to be gained by fielding such an important player through an injury. Regular fullback David Havili will take the no.10 jersey.
Plus, it’s not as if all the selection news bodes ill for the defending champions. All Blacks Sevu Reece and Codie Taylor come into the starting XV after playing from the bench against the Tahs, while Joe Moody and George Bridge will make their first appearances of the year.
If we’re talking season debuts, the Chiefs have some significant news on that front: Damian McKenzie, who missed the first-round encounter with the Blues, is in the side at fullback for his first Super Rugby match since suffering the ACL injury which saw him miss much of 2019, including the World Cup.
After impressing from the bench in the win over the Blues, Aaron Cruden comes into the run-on side at flyhalf, giving the Chiefs a formidable 10-12-15 combination of Cruden, Anton Lienert-Brown and McKenzie.
McKenzie won’t play the full 80 minutes in his return. Coach Warren Gatland has admitted he’ll be easing the star fullback back into the game, with the main aim over the next few months getting the two-time Super Rugby player of the year ready for All Blacks selection again.
Prediction
So early in the season it’s hard to get much of a read on where any sides are at. At their best, the Chiefs and Crusaders will be formidable opponents for any team, but they’re both some weeks away from reaching that level yet.
The Christchurch team looked comfortably the better of the two in Round 1, but having lost Mo’unga, and with McKenzie and Cruden in the starting XV for the Chiefs, I’ll give the edge to the home side here, if only just.
Chiefs by 4.
Game information
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato
TV: Fox Sports
Online: Kayo Sports, Foxtel
Odds: Crusaders $1.83, Chiefs $2.01
Chiefs
1. Aidan Ross, 2. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 3. Atu Moli, 4. Tyler Ardron, 5. Mitchell Brown, 6. Lachlan Boshier, 7. Mitchell Karpik, 8. Sam Cane (c), 9. Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Solomon Alaimalo, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Sean Wainui, 15. Damian McKenzie
Reserves: 16. Bradley Slater, 17. Ross Geldenhuys, 18. Ollie Norris, 19. Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20. Pita Gus Sowakula, 21. Brad Weber, 22. Kaleb Trask, 23. Alex Nankivell
Crusaders
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Oliver Jager, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Mitchell Dunshea, 6. Tom Sanders, 7. Tom Christie, 8. Whetukamokamo Douglas, 9. Mitchell Drummond, 10. David Havili, 11. George Bridge, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Braydon Ennor, 14. Sevu Reece, 15. Will Jordan
Reserves: 16. Andrew Makalio, 17. George Bower, 18. Michael Alaalatoa, 19. Luke Romano, 20. Cullen Grace, 21. Bryn Hall, 22. Brett Cameron, 23. Leicester Faingaanuku
Lara
Guest
Three little guys did most of the damage in this one...Weber’s offload, Cruden’s control n tackling n Mac K creating n making space.
Adzy
Roar Rookie
Chiefs beat the Crusaders last year also. Crusaders still managed to lift the trophy tho. Who knows how the ABs will be, maybe someone else coaching the attack will help.
ThugbyFan
Roar Guru
Yeah, I tipped the Chiefs as I reckon the Sadies big backs are a bit rudderless without R.Mo'unga. Having said that David Havili looks pretty good at 5/8th (1st 5 or flyhalf). Lachlan Boshier has boshed the opposition two games in a row. Must be close to AB consideration as he was outstanding last year also.
Lux Interior
Roar Rookie
Yeah, ok. Whatever. But did you enjoy the game? Whadya think?
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
Fair enough, get where you're coming from. I just disagree
Sylvester
Guest
When you view it in the context of what was happening - two or three players still think the play is continuing, including the Chiefs player with the ball - it was a bad call.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Lachlan Boshier is becoming a real standout for me.
Drew
Roar Rookie
I agree. He's a great player. Generally really good composure. He'll bounce back. Also, to be fair some of the Chiefs kicks were equally poor.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
Maybe. But super rugby is a marathon not a sprint. With Mounga to come back I sousing bet against the crusaders to win the return fixture.
Sylvester
Guest
I think Havili overplayed his hand - and he was playing very flat. The other problem was Bryn Hall's overuse of bad box kicks.
Suzy Poison
Guest
Gatland one. Razor zero. Gatland set for next AB coach for sure after Lions tour 2021. Who knows what damage Fozzie will incur in a the next two years. Nienaber and Rassie are gonna eat Fozzie alive. Fozzie was( and is ) the AB attack coach that couldn’t coach how to score a try. Fozzie be lucky to last two years, in current environment. Tough gig for him too. AB’s been so dominant for so long and now set for a few lean years for Bok ( and other Euro teams ) rush defence.
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
Alternate viewpoint: Makalio needs to not run into players' backs once the whistle has blown.
Drew
Roar Rookie
I thought they had some passages of really solid defence. Chiefs at them with some really long phase counts. Just some really uncharacteristic errors and some of the 50/50's they usually capitalise on didn't go their way... even that final kick for bonus point was an unusual miss.
Sylvester
Guest
There is a big step down in the threat the Crusaders pose when Mo'unga doesn't play. Good strategy by Gatland to pressure the inside channels.
Daniel Jeffrey
Editor
Chiefs 25 Crusaders 15 Well, what a match that was. The Crusaders threatened to run away with it in the first half, particularly as the Chiefs offered a few gaps out wide to exploit. Sevu Reece took full advantage there with a first-half double, but the Chiefs, with the wind at their back in the second half, launched an excellent comeback with Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi and Sean Wainui scoring tries and Aaron Cruden nailing a last-minute penalty to seal the win. Lachlan Boshier was superb for the home side, forcing a number of key penalties, including the decisive one, while Brad Weber and Cruden also enjoyed good games. Also worth touching on Damien McKenzie, who instigated a number of Chiefs attacks in his first Super Rugby game since last April. For the Crusaders, there's not too much to worry about. Some ill-discipline cost them, but without key playmaker Richie Mo'unga, beating this Chiefs side was always going to be a tough ask. Today has only reinforced that these two are probably the sides to beat this Super Rugby season. Thanks for joining me for today's match, and stick around for some more Super Rugby action as the Waratahs host the Blues in a very rainy Newcastle. Olly Matthews will have the call of that game shortly.
Drew
Roar Rookie
Chiefs showed some really nice grit and moments of flair. Crusaders bombed a few opportunities. Were really breaking down the Chiefs defence early on. Havili started the game great but seemed to be feeling the pressure later in the game. If the Chiefs sort out their lineout problems they have some real potential to go far this year.
Sylvester
Guest
Crusaders got crushed by the Chiefs defensive pressure. Backline was way too flat - Havili was not great overall.
Sylvester
Guest
It was a collision. TMO needs to stay out of it.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
I think that's a Gatland specialty - you play well but just don't seem to get the payola for it.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
Life is tough. Canterbury don't even get a losing bonus point. Love the boys from Moo-loo land. Canterbury were good enough to merit at least the bonus point and will still beat most they play. Great game.