Crusaders Edge Chiefs 16-12 To Claim 15th Super Rugby Pacific Title
Crusaders Edge Chiefs 16-12 To Claim 15th Super Rugby Pacific Title
The Crusaders clinched their 15th Super Rugby Pacific title with a gritty 16-12 win over the Chiefs in a thrilling final in Christchurch.
The Crusaders’ dynasty rolled on Saturday night in front of a raucous crowd at Apollo Projects Stadium, edging past the Chiefs 16-12 to claim a record-extending 15th Super Rugby Pacific title.
- Subscribe To FloRugby To Watch Champions Cup 2025 Final
- 30 Years Of Champions Cup Finals: Here's What Happened In Every Match
- 100 Best Rugby Players In The World: Here's The Full List
- The 25 Best Rugby Clubs In The World On June 18th | FloRugby Rankings
In a fiercely contested decider, it was the Crusaders’ composure, clinical finishing and dominant scrum that proved the difference in a match befitting a grand final.
The Chiefs, who topped the table in the regular season, entered the clash in red-hot form after rebounding from a shock quarterfinal loss to the Blues. But despite an early try from prop George Dyer while David Havili was in the sin bin, the visitors couldn’t convert their opportunities into scoreboard pressure late in the match.
The contest kicked off with thunderous physicality, highlighted by Sevu Reece’s crunching tackle on All Blacks teammate Damian McKenzie in the eighth minute. However, the Crusaders suffered a setback moments later when Havili was shown yellow for a mistimed challenge on Emoni Narawa.
The Chiefs took immediate advantage, mauling their way over through Dyer to take a 7-0 lead.
But the Crusaders, as they have done so many times before, rallied.
Veteran hooker Codie Taylor responded with a powerful try off the back of a maul in the 25th minute, and Rivez Reihana’s conversion leveled the score.
Reece’s relentless pressure on the kick chase earned a penalty soon after, with Reihana adding three more points to put the Crusaders in front for the first time.
Another Reihana penalty pushed the margin to six, before Narawa hit back with a try for the Chiefs, albeit under controversy, as Crusaders captain Scott Barrett protested obstruction in the lead-up.
McKenzie’s missed conversion meant the Crusaders carried a narrow 13-12 lead into the break.
The second half was a tactical chess match.
While the Chiefs threatened repeatedly, they were continually denied by tireless Crusaders' defense, including a crucial turnover by Reece early in the half after Taylor's try-saving tackle.
Set-piece dominance proved pivotal, with All Blacks tighthead Fletcher Newell producing a masterclass at scrum time. He won several key penalties, including one in the 70th minute that allowed Reihana to stretch the Crusaders’ lead to 16-12.
The Chiefs threw everything at the Crusaders in the final 10 minutes, but the red wall refused to break.
James O’Connor, the seasoned Wallaby playmaker whose career renaissance has become one of the stories of the season, came off the bench late to help guide the Crusaders home.
As the final whistle sounded, the crowd erupted, and the Crusaders were champions once more.
While the Chiefs showed their class and grit, they couldn’t find the killer blow.
The Crusaders’ ability to absorb pressure and deliver in key moments continues to separate them from the chasing pack.
Final score: Crusaders 16, Chiefs 12.
How To Watch Rugby Matches In The United States On FloRugby
FloRugby and FloSports also are the U.S. home to:
FloRugby also is home to match archives and match replays.
Join The Rugby Conversation On FloRugby Social
- Follow us on Twitter @florugby
- Follow us on Instagram @florugby
- Watch us on YouTube
- Like us on Facebook