‘We’re happy to be underdogs’
Weber relishing chance to end Crusaders run
The Chiefs know the opportunity to compete in a final is nothing to be taken for granted. When they take the field against the Crusaders in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final in Christchurch tonight, they will end an eight-year grand final drought.
The last time they appeared on the stage was in 2013, when they beat the ACT Brumbies to claim their second straight title. No one who played in that game will feature in the final tonight.
While they’re not letting the occasion overwhelm them, Chiefs captain Brad Weber said getting there was an achievement that had to be recognised.
“For some guys, it’s the biggest game of their career,” Weber said. “You have to acknowledge that fact, but also focus on what’s got you here, backing our ability and having full confidence in the game plan.”
The Chiefs will be looking to halt the dominance of the the Crusaders, who are aiming for their fifth straight title. Historically, the Crusaders have kicked things up a gear post-season. They are unbeaten in 24 play-off games in Christchurch but the Chiefs hold a 2-1 advantage when the two sides have met in the play-offs previously.
When asked about the statistics surrounding the game, Weber shrugged them off and said there was no real benefit for either team dwelling on the past.
“History for me means nothing,” Weber said. “It’s about who can do the job on Saturday. We’ve spoilt a few parties this year and we’re out to do another one this weekend.
“It’s going to come down to a few moments and winning as many of them as we can. The set piece is
huge for the Crusaders. If we can get a bit of parity there, try to hold the ball for long periods, it will go a long way to trying to score points against them — which we’re going to have to do because they’re so good defensively.
“We’ve been the underdogs all season and it’s suited us just fine. The Crusaders will be favourites for a good reason. Their winning record, especially at home, speaks for itself.
“We’ve got a big job on our hands, but we’re so up for this challenge. We’re as prepared as we could ever be. We’ve put ourselves in the best possible shape to win this game.”
Tonight’s affair sees the team with the fewest points scored and most allowed for the season — the
Chiefs — meeting the team with the most points scored and fewest allowed.
However, the Chiefs have shown through the competition that they have become a team who
will hang in there for the full 80 minutes and are capable of stealing the game late. They have done so a number of times already this year, including their 26-25 win over the Crusaders in Hamilton on April 17.
Weber said his team were aware they would be meeting a different beast this weekend, but they were up for the challenge.
“They left a lot of cattle at home,” Weber said of their last encounter. “We want to be the best team in the competition, and to do that, you need to beat the best. For us, that’s this weekend.
“They’ve named their best possible side, which gets all of us really excited, so we get to really prove to ourselves and everybody that we’re where we need to be.”