Crusaders return to winning Super Rugby
- Dave Worsley
- Jun 22
- 2 min read
The Crusaders are back on top of the Super Rugby Pacific after a 16-12 win over the Chiefs in Christchurch.
The victory is their 15th Super Rugby title and their 32nd consecutive finals win at home.
LATEST HEADLINES:
For the Chiefs, it's heartbreak once again as they taste defeat in their third straight final.
In the first hlaf the home side rallied from an early deficit to take a one-point lead into the break.
The second half was as tense as it comes, with a Rivez Reihana penalty with eight minutes left pushing the lead out to four and sealing the win.
The Crusaders were troubled early after inspirational centre David Havili went to the bin in the 12th minute.
Havili collected Emoni Narawa high, and the Chiefs took advantage of the space minutes later when prop George Dyer dived over under the posts.
The hosts, who entered the game unbeaten in finals games in Christchurch, struck back via hooker Codie Taylor as the hooker squeezed down the blindside for the response.
Two penalties to Rivez Reihana gave them the lead as their physicality took over.
The Chiefs were able to rally and respond right before the break, thanks to fullback Shaun Stevenson, as the margin was reduced to 13-12 heading into the break.
The Crusaders scrum won several penalties to help the hosts command field position for the majority of the second half.
There were several chances for the Crusaders to finish the game, with Christian Lio-Willie held up, followed by a denied Havili try for offside.
But it was their scrum that sealed the win with a massive penalty that allowed the lead to extend to four points.
Needing a try, the Chiefs had few chances to break the Crusaders' line as the hosts celebrated their return to the title.
Crusaders 16 (Codie Taylor try, Rivez Reihana con, 3 pen) Chiefs 12 (George Dyer, Shaun Stevenson tries, Damian McKenzie 1 con)
