Stay updated with the latest beauty tips, trends, and news from our salon experts. Our blog is your go-to source for all things beauty.
There were moments at the start of this pulsating grand final in Christchurch when, after the Crusaders conceded two scrum penalties and then a try, even the most ardent red and black fan must have wondered whether this was the year when the record would break.
First came the scrum comeback, with prop Fletcher Newell finding his feet in every sense and then winning two penalties himself, then the points foothold via Codie Taylor’s try in the left corner in response to George Dyer’s opener.
And then the Crusaders simply did what they generally do at this time of year. They made the most of the cold and damp conditions they love so much and ground the visitors into submission through their pack and with their defence.
After coping superbly with the yellow card for skipper David Havili's high tackle, they also won the aerial battle in the second half and the kicking battle overall and after 80-odd minutes the scoreline read Crusaders 16, Chiefs 12.
A red and black machine which spluttered last year and showed hints of vulnerability this year, roared into life at just the right time, earning themselves yet another championship – their 15th, and a perfect 32-0 record in home playoff matches.
Despite the tight scoreline, and the fact the only points scored in the second half were from Crusaders No.10 Rivez Reihana’s penalty with eight minutes remaining, the Crusaders did it relatively comfortably in the end.
Dyer’s try from close range from skipper Luke Jacobson’s assist was a triumph of the visitors’ direct, no-nonsense style at the start but for some reason they went away from that thereafter.
It was taken up instead by the Crusaders who, after a somewhat shaky start, found cohesion and control.
They were increasingly well led around the park by their inside back pair of Noah Hotham and Reihana, who had the better of their vaunted opposites, and Taylor’s try, when he scooted away from a maul and skinned both Wallace Sititi and Ratima was both a clue as to what style of play would work in the conditions and a huge boost to the home side’s confidence.
The Crusaders celebrate a penalty awarded by ref Angus Gardiner against the Chiefs. (Source: Photosport)
They were in it at last and two Reihana penalties pushed them to the widest lead of the night – 13-7, before the Chiefs replied in the right corner through fullback Shaun Stevenson for a try allowed by the officials after a check on a potential obstruction on Scott Barrett.
The Crusaders have won 95 per cent of their matches when leading at halftime at home, so the odds were good, but they were probably guilty of overconfidence when turning down a kickable penalty in favour of an attacking lineout.
It was stolen by the Chiefs and the chance went begging. They were also held up over the line when No.8 Christian Lio-Willie was the last man in a dogged, relentless sequence of one-off running by the Crusaders forwards.
But, critically, the Chiefs had no territory to make them pay and their only chance of a try in the second half came when Hotham’s attempted clearance was charged down, the Chiefs launching an attack through Samisoni Taukei’aho only for the Crusaders to get back and kill it stone dead.
It turned out to be a key moment. Reihana would kick the penalty to edge his team further ahead but stopping that potential try was what won it for the Crusaders.
Coming back from any deficit is difficult in such circumstances and the Crusaders played with the edge they had earned. They kicked well, chased well, and held the ball well.
Codie Taylor runs in for his try against the Chiefs. (Source: Photosport)
Will Jordan and Reihana were outstanding in this area. And so the Chiefs had only scraps to work with – not a recipe for success.
McKenzie couldn’t work his way into the game and if anything tried to overcomplicate matters when a more simple line of attack may have been more appropriate.
The look on the Chiefs’ faces at the end said it all. This was a tough one to swallow for perhaps the most consistent team in the competition and the one who beat the Crusaders home and away in the regular season.
It is their third final in a row that they have lost and it means Clayton McMillan leaves for Munster without the title he craved for his team.
The Crusaders’ triumph comes after they won only four games in total last season and finished outside the playoffs.
It was a championship earned the hard way – just how they like it.
