Chiefs
33
Match Complete
Crusaders
29
| J. Ioane |  | 79 | ||
| J. Ioane | | 74 | ||
| 68 |  | T. Kemara | ||
| 67 |  | C. Fihaki | ||
| 46 | | S. Barrett | ||
| 44 | | R. Reihana | ||
| 43 | | C. Fihaki | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 41 | ||
| S. Stevenson | | 30 | ||
| E. Nanai-Seturo | | 28 | ||
| 23 | | R. Reihana | ||
| 22 | | S. Reece | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 19 | ||
| X. Roe | | 18 | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 16 | ||
| K. Boshier | | 15 | ||
| 10 | | R. Reihana | ||
| D. McKenzie | | 5 |
| 3 | Tries | 4 | ||
| 3 | Conversions | 3 | ||
| 4 | Penalty Goals | 1 | ||
| 0 | Field Goals | 0 |
Super Rugby Pacific dawns in 2024 with reigning champions the Crusaders heading to Hamilton to begin their title defence against the Chiefs. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 5:05pm (AEDT).
Watch every match of Super Rugby Pacific ad-free, live & on demand on the Home of Rugby, Stan Sport
Match information
Venue: FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: 5:05pm (AEDT)
Streaming: Stan Sport
Betting: Chiefs $1.42, Crusaders $2.90 – odds via PlayUp
Teams
Chiefs (1-15): Aidan Ross, Bradley Slater, Reuben O’Neill, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Tupou Vaa’i, Samipeni Finau, Kalyum Boshier, Luck Jacobson (c), Xavier Roe, Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Quinn Tupaea, Anton Lienert-Brown, Liam Coombes-Fabling, Shaun Stevenson.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ollie Norris, George Dyer, Jimmy Tupou, Simon Parker, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Daniel Rona.
Crusaders (1-15): George Bower, George Bell, Tamati Williams, Scott Barrett (c), Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Tom Christie, Cullen Grace, Mitch Drummond, Rivez Reihana, Macca Springer, Dallas McLeod, Levi Aumua, Sevu Reece, Chay Fihaki.
Reserves: Quinten MacDonald, Joe Moody, Owen Franks, Jamie Hannah, Christian Lio-Willie, Noah Hotham, Taha Kemara, Ryan Crotty.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Me by 5 actually!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Avoided Sun City! Enjoyed the bush too much. The country looked a lot like the Kimberley in northern WA.
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yes …Much about the Western Cape and its touristy stuff etc ..But seriously go interior and its such a stunning landscape…Hope you didnt lose too much money at Sun (sin) City..hey this is a rugby chat but late Jonah Lomu called it most awesome place ever …Cheers
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
I noticed that too Mirt.
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Pilanesburg was really special too!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Yes ..raincoats required :stoked: Cheers boet ..
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Damp too!
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Senbloodysational!
Just Nuisance
Roar Rookie
Hey TN ...How was that trip to Vic Falls ?
The Late News
Roar Rookie
Tony we're still top of the tipping!
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Yeah way too early but I've got a feeling that the Crusaders are not gelling well enough. Still top 4 side even with a dip (if proven).
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
I think we were fantastic at the death against all odds when it really mattered. Great late momentum shift.
JD Kiwi
Roar Rookie
Super Rugby is back baby! My man EMS making the key plays with the try and 50/22. Get well soon DMac! The decline of the Crusaders might be slightly overstated...
Nick Maguire
Roar Rookie
Crusaders – rumours about my demise are greatly exaggerated. Chiefs got shaky when it mattered but had enough of a lead and just enough on the field to get over the line. That belief built over many seasons is a powerful force.
Cam Watts
Roar Rookie
Cracking game to start the season!!! Thanks Tony!
The Crow Flies Backwards
Roar Rookie
Fantastic game, thanks Tony. Now we can hope the Aus teams can play with passion like that… maybe…. Oh well, as Elvis sang in the 68 comeback special, “ If I can dream”
Tony Harper
Editor
Thanks for joining me guys. Plenty more coming tonight as well. Steve Lenthall live blogging the Rebels vs Brumbies game and I'll be back later for the Force.
Mirt
Roar Rookie
How much will the injury toll hurt these two in the weeks to come
79
Otago Man
Roar Rookie
Crusaders far better 2nd half but still errors and the Chiefs lost a bit of sharpness in the mind for a long period. Well the Chiefs pulled it together in the end.