WAIKATO CHIEFS FIGHT BACK TO MAKE SUPER RUGBY FINAL
July 27 (Reuters) - The Waikato Chiefs produced a 17-point burst inside 11 minutes in the second half to eke out a tense 20-19 victory over the Canterbury Crusaders in Hamilton on Saturday and advance to the Super Rugby final.
The 2012 champions' winger Lelia Masaga barged over early in the second half, while fly-half Aaron Cruden pounced on a wayward pass from Ryan Crotty to score an intercept try. Cruden added two penalties and two conversions.
Crusaders fly-half Daniel Carter slotted four penalties and converted fullback Israel Dagg's sensational try for the visitors.The Chiefs will now host the final next Saturday against the winner of the second semi-final between the Bulls and ACT Brumbies, who play later in Pretoria.
No New Zealand team had lost a Super Rugby semi-final at home and the Chiefs had also won the corresponding fixture in Hamilton last year.
The home crowd let the Crusaders know exactly where they were with a hostile crescendo of cow bells clanging away at every opportunity.
The Chiefs, however, were hardly bovine in their approach, attempting to play the match at a frenetic pace and negating any tussle at the breakdown with players picking and going or immediately feeding the runners one off the ruck. The Crusaders, however, soaked up the pressure and ensured that when they got into Chiefs territory they came away with points as Carter slotted three first half penalties.
The visitors also unsettled the Chiefs' set piece, stealing five lineout throws and forcing 15 turnovers in the first 40 minutes alone and the home side had only a solitary penalty to Cruden to show for their attacking intent and efforts.
The home side were more clinical in the second half and Cruden's second penalty sparked the 17-point burst that included converted try to Masaga before Cruden pounced on a wayward pass from Ryan Crotty to stroll 40 meters for his side's second try.