Chiefs v Crusaders: Five takeaways from the Super Rugby Pacific final as Scott Robertson’s men once again reign supreme

Jared Wright
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Following the Crusaders’ 25-20 victory over the Chiefs in the Super Rugby Pacific final, here’s our five takeaways from the showpiece at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton. 

Another enthralling final

We have been treated to some stunning conclusions to domestic competitions this year, and the Super Rugby Pacific final was no different.

It may not have been on the same level as the superb Champions Cup showpiece or the abrasive Top 14 finale, but it was in the same top tier.

The Chiefs‘ defence got them into the final against the Brumbies and looked to replicate it in this game as they survived the early pressure from the Crusaders. A Richie Mo’unga penalty finally broke the deadlock as the defending champions turned down another crack at the line to come away with some points.

Even when the hosts went down a man, they continued to hold the Crusaders at bay, and when Anton Lienert-Brown did return from his sin-binning, the Chiefs struck.

The sensational Shaun Stevenson carved open the Crusaders’ defence with Luke Jacobson’s turnover in the tackle on Will Jordan, creating the chance that the outside back gobbled up. In true Crusaders fashion, they hit back immediately, with Codie Taylor scoring the first of his tries, with Richie Mo’unga scoring the visitors’ second to lead at the break. 

The enthralling contest took another turn in the second half as the hosts turned up the heat with Emoni Narawa charging over the line, but again, the Crusaders showed their class to grind out the result with a try and penalty in the closing stages. 

It was not just the battle on the scoreboard that made this such a fantastic viewing as the two sides fiercely contested almost every facet of the game. Momentum swung back and forth as the two sides gained, lost and regained the upper hand in the breakdown, with the same applying to the respective kicking games.

The fact there were just five scrums in the entire game is another marker for just how sharp and accurate the two outfits were in a memorable Super Rugby Pacific final.

Anton Lienert-Brown’s tackle

Unfortunately, we have to address the Lienert-Brown hit and the events that unfolded afterwards. 

Super Rugby trialled a new system this season that allows referees to issue a yellow or red card in the instance of foul play, with the TMO able to review the incident and determine whether it is a yellow or red card. If it is deemed a yellow, the player can return to the pitch; if red, the player can be replaced by a substitute after 20 minutes. 

While the trial has been largely successful throughout the tournament, the incorrect decision was made in the final with Lienert-Brown’s tackle. 

The Chiefs centre had a clear line of sight when charging towards Dallas McLeod from the kick-off, and while there was a slight dip from the Crusaders man, there was none from Lienert-Brown. Ben O’Keeffe followed protocol but was ultimately let down by his assistants for what, upon review, looked like a straight red card. 

These decisions will inevitably happen in rugby matches, and the officials are human and make mistakes. However, the most disappointing thing about the incident is that the medical staff and Crusaders coaching team allowed McLeod to play on for a few minutes after the tackle despite the back looking dazed.

While Chiefs fans will point to the clear forward pass before the lineout that led to Mo’unga’s try, the hosts also profited from the officials missing Will Jordan’s knee going to ground before Luke Jacobson’s rip, which led to their opening score.

Laying down the marker for Test starts

With the All Blacks squad for the Rugby Championship locked in, the final provided the opportunity for some players to lay down a marker for a start and for others to prove Ian Foster wrong.

Crusaders wing Leicester Fainga’anuku produced another standout performance that will do his hopes of reclaiming a starting role the world of good. He was a threat each time he touched the ball and won three crucial turnovers in the final 10 minutes of the game to steer the Crusaders over the line.

On the opposite side of the pitch, Narawa reinforced the decision for him to earn a call-up with a stunning display. His kicking game could be a real asset to Foster’s side while he showed just how lethal he is finishing off a try but unfortunately had another chalked off.

Fly-half Damian McKenzie was brilliant again, and he and Jacobson made strong stakes for starting roles. Meanwhile, Stevenson pitched up again for the Chiefs, influencing their attack superbly and had some great moments in the backfield, including a wonderful step to leave Mo’unga for dead.

Taylor got the better of his rival Samisoni Taukei’aho in the hooker battle despite two errant throws, while Scott Barrett was outstanding in the pack for the victors. 

Final farewells  

As it is usually the case in a World Cup year, several players turned out for their side for the last time in the final.

Fan favourite Pita Gus Sowakula produced some trademark bulking carries in his last game before joining Clermont.

Meanwhile, it was clear to see Brad Weber’s disappointment in his post-match interview as he hoped to celebrate a title-winning season before he joins Stade Francais. 

On the other side of the pitch, Sam Whitelock passed a late fitness test to produce one final stunning showing for the Crusaders in his 181st and final Super Rugby appearance. 

Mo’unga also starred once again for the side before he joins Japanese side Brave Lupus next year. 

It was equally a fitting farewell for Scott Robertson, who could break out the dance moves one more time as Crusaders head coach, clinching his seventh title with the outfit.

The end of an era and the start of another

The thrilling finale brought the curtain down on Robertson’s time in charge of the Crusaders. Few would have predicted such dominance from the Crusaders when he was named as head coach back in 2017, and he has certainly exceeded expectations.

During his tenure, he has become the most successful coach in Super Rugby history, winning a trophy in every single year he was at the side. In fact, the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman tournament in 2021 was the only title his side failed to win under his tutelage. 

He led them to 98 wins from 117 matches, with several players going on to become key All Blacks during his time in charge. He revived the Crusaders and took them back to their old highs, and most importantly, added to their rich history. A fan favourite as a player, he departs a true legend of the club.

With Robertson departing Super Rugby, Clayton McMillan and the Chiefs have positioned themselves as the next dynasty. McMillan’s success with the side cannot be understated. He was installed as the head coach in 2021 to cover for Warren Gatland, who took charge of the British and Irish Lions, but has gone from strength to strength since.

The Chiefs were utterly brilliant throughout the season, and up until about the 70th minute, they looked to be on track to win a deserved title. However, the final showed the areas where they still need to improve, notably discipline, accuracy and patience in the opposition’s half. 

Luckily for the Chiefs, they do have plenty of young players who can still learn and improve from the final. McKenzie looks to have settled into the fly-half role and is the kind of player that can steer the side to a title with stars like Etene Nanai-Seturo, Narawa, Sam Cane, Stevenson, Jacobson, Vaa’i, and Taukei’aho sticking around too.

They have the making of a championship-winning side and proved it this season, and with a good pre-season and some talents earning international experience, they could well be back in the final next year.

READ MORE: Crusaders player ratings: Departing stars spur Scott Robertson’s men to another title

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