Crusaders beat Chiefs, Canes beaten in rain
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
In a rematch of the 2025 Super Rugby final, the Crusaders scored 36 unanswered points to stun the hosts and get their first win of the season 43-33.
The Chiefs put in an early blitz - Leroy Carter almost got the opener in the fourth minute after Daniel Rona burst through the defence. While he was put into touch, an errant throw by the Crusaders set up Quinn Tupaea to dive over.
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Carter then launched from his own try-line to set up a contender for try of the year.
The former Sevens star sprinted away after beating several defenders, with some remarkable hands finding fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo to complete a special 95 metre try.
George Bell got the Crusaders on the board with a powerful run from close to the line.
But the Chiefs hit back straight away through their own hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho for a 21-7 lead after 22 minutes.
The Crusaders then kicked into life and turned the game in their favour
Will Jordan settled the visitors, adding to the frantic start with his own break that delivered a try to Noah Hotham. Jordan nearly had his own try, with a wicked bounce the only thing saving the Chiefs.
However, the hosts couldn’t stop Christian Lio-Willie and suddenly the scores were level.
The Crusaders edged in front at half-time after a tip tackle cleanout off the ball, with Taha Kemara slotting the penalty for a 24-21 lead as tempers continued to flare up in the tunnel.
They kept the momentum flowing into the second half, with a wave of possession and territory setting the platform for Lio-Willie’s second.
David Havili then showed off the aerobatics in the corner after a looping ball from Will Jordan found Chay Fihaki, cutting back inside before the play flipped back to the captain.
Lio-Willie’s third sealed the win with 14 minutes to go after another bold call to attack from their own 22 paid off for the visitors.
A yellow card to Noah Hotham provided the opportunities for a late Chiefs comeback and tries to Tupou Vaa’i and Emoni Narawa.
But it was too little, too late to stop the Crusaders as they closed out a much-needed win with a remarkable try-saving tackle by Jordan on Carter.
Crusaders 43 (Lio-Willie 3, Bell, Hotham, Havili tries; Kamara 4 cons, Fihaki; Kamara pens) Chiefs 33 (Narawa, Vaa'i, Taukei'aho, Tupaea, Nanai-Seturo tris; Jacomb 4 cons)
The Drua were at home in the torrential conditions throughout the game as the rain belted down, leaving Lautoka waterlogged and filled with mud.
They sought to take points when they could, opening and ending the first half with penalties by Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula.
Meanwhile, the Hurricanes were unfazed early on and turned down an easy three for a quick tap, allowing new flyhalf Callum Harkin to get in the game early with a perfect cutout pass to Fehi Fineanganofo for the opener.
Peter Lakai extended the lead at the back of the rolling maul before the Drua were able to capitalise on the field position amid some poor handling.
Flanker Motikiai Murray levelled the scores in the 30th minute, powering over from close.
However, as soon as they were even, they dropped the kick off and gifted a chance for Billy Proctor to score, with the midfielder put over shortly afterwards by his centre partner Jordie Barrett for a 17-13 half-time lead.
The visitors extended the advantage to seven before Tuidraki Samusamuvodre sent the crowd into a frenzy.
The centre timed an intercept to perfection, snatching the Josh Moorby pass to level the scores.
Both teams looked for a pivotal try as the rain dissipated, with the Hurricanes unable to make good use of several entries inside the Drua’s 22.
It was replacement prop Peni Ravai that proved the most unlikely of playmakers, showing deft hands to offload for Etonia Waqa to dive over in the corner for a five-point lead with 13 minutes to go.
The Hurricanes had their chances to respond but their handling let them down and allowed the hosts to survive as the clock ticked down.
Their best chance came with six minutes to go with a lineout 15 metres out, with some thumping defence forcing the ball loose.
They had one last chance with seconds to go after a Drua knock-on, needing to go 70 metres for the win before Proctor lost the ball into touch.
The win sees the Drua head to the bye on a high note, while the Hurricanes face a short turnaround against the NSW Waratahs in Sydney.
Fijian Drua 25 (Murray, Samusamuvodre, Waqa tries; Cons: Armstrong-Ravula 2 pen 2 con) Hurricanes 20 (Fineanganofo, Lakai, Proctor tries; Barrett 1 pen, 1 con)
