On top in Napier: The Chiefs
Related links
Teams
Also see
The Chiefs made it back-to-back wins in Super Rugby after beating the Crusaders 24-19 in Napier on Friday.
It was a second defeat on the bounce for the Crusaders, who couldn't complete a second-half fightback after trailing 16-6 at half-time.
The Chiefs outscored their hosts two tries to one, with prop Sona Taumalolo burrowing his way over for a crucial touchdown in the 56th minute that proved to be the match-winner.
Needing a converted try to win and with two minutes remaining, Crusaders skipper Kieran Read failed to keep hold of an interception that would have seen the All Black number eight under the posts.
Chiefs pivot Aaron Cruden had a mixed performance with the boot, but did enough to keep his team in front by sending over four penalties and a conversion, while opposite number Tyler Bleyendaal ended the match with the same figures - Taumalolo's try proving to be the difference between the two teams in a thrilling encounter.
The two fly-halves traded early penalties, before Cruden finally put his team ahead after missing two fairly simple shots at goal.
The Chiefs were then rewarded for dominating all the possession and territory with a try to flank Liam Messam after a powerful forward surge got him over the whitewash.
The TMO was called in to confirm, and the try was given with Cruden adding the extras from far out that put the visitors 13-3 in front.
Bleyendaal added another three-pointer to cut the deficit to seven points, but Cruden extended the Chiefs' lead with his third successful penalty of the match to reclaim a ten-point buffer on the stroke of half-time.
The Crusaders came out firing after the break, and didn't take long before centre Robbie Fruean snapped up a pass from Read to go over for a try after sustained pressure on the Chiefs line.
Bleyendaal converted and it was game on at 16-13.
The Chiefs were able to reassert the dominance with another forward onslaught that ended with Taumalolo going over from close range after a series of drives. Again the TMO was needed to spot the ball under the pile-up and the try was awarded. Cruden failed to add the extras.
The boot of Bleyendaal, though, kept the home side in touch - with the fly-half punishing the indisciplined Chiefs with two well-taken attempts to cut the lead to three points once again (21-19).
However Cruden settled the Chiefs' nerves with a late penalty - and despite Read having half a chance to break their hearts, the visitors held on.
The scorers:
For Crusaders:
Try: Fruean
Con: Bleyendaal
Pens: Bleyendaal 4
For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, Taumalolo
Con: Cruden
Pens: Cruden 4
Crusaders: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Tom Marshall.
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Mike Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Jackson Willison.
Comments
sandal says...
@Ramage
I thought Ellis was onside. So I turned on the commentary and found the TV commentators also thought he was.
Williamson ruled him offside. If Ellis wasn't offside, why did he rule him so? It is maddening to see a player penalised for good play.
Over the years I have got tired of slow-witted referees from the British Isles ruling All Blacks offside in test matches when in fact it is the player's anticipation or reactions, not his positioning, that has allowed him to act so quickly. Kiwis have learnt that British refs are often not up to speed with the game that is played by NZers. But a Kiwi ref should be up to speed.
Of course, maybe the commentators and I saw it wrongly. Maybe Ellis did stray past the back foot before the ball was out.
How did you see it, Ramage?
Posted 03:57 12th March 2012
Ramage says...
@sandal in your opinion Williamson made a mistake in ruling Ellis offside. As a matter of interest can you explain to us all why you think, in law, he was wrong? I would be interested to know how you saw it.
Posted 03:56 11th March 2012
sandal says...
Correction to last post.
Sorry, Mr Brown. The erring ref in this match was of course Garratt Williamson.
I can only put my mistake down to a brainstorm. I've had a few too many of them lately.
Once again, apologies to Mr Brown. I need an editor, just like everyone else.
Posted 10:21 10th March 2012
sandal says...
It is extraordinary that PR makes no mention of Andy Ellis's perfectly legitimate try that was wrongly denied by the ref. I can only assume that PR's reporter was having a toilet break at the time. (Then again, this report makes no mention of what was an absorbing and highly illuminating scrum battle.)
I hate this kind of refereeing. It comes down to a "spoiler" attitude, something that one associates more often with refs from the British Isles, who characteristically assume that anything as smart and cheeky as Ellis's try simply has to be illegal.
Well, Brown was as slow-witted as any BI ref and he was wrong. I hope he has the decency to admit his mistake and apologise. But refs rarely do that sort of thing.
Trinats rarely has anything good to say about this side of the Tasman. Like you, JayStarr, I thought this was a top contest, with moments of extraordinary skill in difficult conditions.
rugby_rockstar, I don't rate Blackadder either. I think he's a softy who underachieves.
Posted 10:13 10th March 2012
jonesy2 says...
see, told ya the chiefs are the real deal. best team in the tournament so far. dont know why youre all whingeing about the commentators, all rugby commentators are better than most other sports. i think the kiwi ones are good, justin marshall is good, i like the fox sports lads they are a good laugh and are light hearted. brodie retalick was probably man of the match, howcome theyre not doing that anymore? sam cane is an absolute tackling beast
Posted 04:30 10th March 2012
hybrid187 says...
Uhh Trinats... you saying Greg Martin splurging in his pants every time an Oz team makes a break is much better? The Force/Canes game commentary was painful, Martin and Kearns are hands down the worst commentators in world rugby, you can tell instantly and obviously who theyre supporting which is a no-no in any sport commentary.
I actually find it quite satisfying watching an Oz team lose when Martin/Kearns are commentating. Cannon's ok not much better tho, Clarkies good though.
As for the Saders they are clearly missing some direction without Carter and McCaw, although they did make the final last year with both of them missing half the season... we'll see.
Posted 03:29 10th March 2012
Ramage says...
It has been interesting watching teams play their own conference teams apart from the Hurricanes but a two out of three for them must be pleasing. We are now seeing some teams come up against other conference teams and the result of the Force game just emphasises how poor they are this year. Graham just doesn't seem to have a clue how to get his team to use the amount of ball they win. The Highlander/Waratahs and Bulls/Blues and even the Brumbies/Cheetahs game will be good yardsticks to see where the merits of each of these teams are and a guide for other teams to measure where they are.
When is Foxtel going to rid us of that plonker Martin the worst commentator in all of Super Rugby a Queenslander I believe.
@Jay Starr couldnt agree more when Williams and Kahui click it will be interesting to see how much the team has to offer. What is pleasing is the way the forwards are now playing much improvement shown from the Highlanders game. So sad to see the aimless direction of the Force ever since Graham has taken over they have become like headless chickens. A long year in front of them if they cant pick it up and a place near the bottom of the competition awaiting.
Posted 21:34 09th March 2012
isthatrightref says...
I'm starting to have the thoughts Horrorcanes fans get most years... if only we hadn't gone to half-time 10 points down (again)... if only KR had held onto the ball... if only the clock was accurate...
Too early to panic of course but a semi berth looks a long way off, let alone at home, esp with a tricky road trip to come.
@ JayStarr... I'm sure you don't need reminding how often the Chiefs start OK but go downhill once injuries start occurring: that backline would tear anyone apart given enough ball but that, as always, will be their problem esp against the bigger SA packs. That said, if they can somehow keep the same XV healthy for a few more weeks, maybe this could be their year?
Posted 21:19 09th March 2012
Kappelange says...
Crusaders lack a playmaker...thats all. Great outside backs but no DC or SBW to get them going. Once DC comes back theyll be a force again. Chiefs and Highlanders to dominate NZ conference till then.
Posted 19:06 09th March 2012
mew2000 says...
well well look at the knockers come out ... Some questions:How well do the crusader play at the start of the season? Obviously I am dissappointed by how up and down they are playing but considering the team they are they will bounce back ...
Jaystarr:We will see how well the cheifs go in SA and different style of teams attack them before making them the new kings of the Nz conference... I dislike the blues but I am more sure at some point they and the crusaders will get there butt into gear... Don't get me wrong I love the highlanders too but sooner or later the injuries will bite to the key people and they will be stuffed ie:SBW,kahui,cruden etc, you know I am right because some of the people I mentioned get hurt every season.
Posted 17:52 09th March 2012
sukkadoits says...
We have just seen the emergence of 2 great prospects for the future. Tameifuna was a colossus at tighthead. Never have I seen a Chiefs scrum so dominant over a Crusaders scrum. Also Brodie Retallick at Lock was a star performer. Great performance all across the park.
It goes to show that the All Blacks are still a little underdone at this point in time.
Posted 16:54 09th March 2012
JayStarr says...
Seems like Trinats perhaps had too many early Friday drinks...
If I didn't actually watch the game I would've thought the Crusaders and Chiefs were going to end up at the bottom of the log by your description!
Neither team was perfect, the conditions were obviously a bit slippery, but was still a great contest between two very good teams.
Agree that the Crusaders will bounce back... But will it be enough with the type of promise the Chiefs and Highlanders are showing?
The scary thing is, this Chiefs team still hasn't clicked... but they've already beaten two of the tournament favourites! Cruden has been poor by his own standards, Masaga is out injured, SBW and Kahui only started waking up today... Can you imagine when they all gel with an already impressive Kerr-Barlow, Robinson and Nanai-Williams and start firing on all cylinders? Who will stop them?
Posted 11:03 09th March 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
Is Todd Blackadder all he is cracked up to be? It's easy to coach a team with Dan Carter making the on field decisions but a great coach wins with limited resourses.
Posted 09:45 09th March 2012