Crusaders stunned by resilient Chiefs
TOURNAMENT favourites Crusaders were stunned at home by the Chiefs as Rameka Poihipi’s last gasp try delievered Scott Robertson’s side their first loss of the campaign.
With just ten minutes to play, the hosts were 21-10 ahead after David Havili’s and Braydon Ennor’s touchdowns, with fly-half Richie Mo’unga slotting three penalties.
However, Shaun Stevenson’s converted score set up a grandstand finish before quick ball from the Chiefs’ backs against a fatigued Crusaders defence meant Poihipi had the space out wide to slide over for the 24-21 win.
The Crusaders had to make 200 tackles to the Chiefs’ sub-100 and it began to show late on as the visitors took advantage of the fatigue.
Chiefs captain Sam Cane said: “The way the Kiwi teams play means every game is down to the wire. They defended so well but we kept plugging, building phases and we stayed disciplined and managed to get what we needed just in the nick of time.
“We had opportunities in the first half, our set piece was going good, but we kept messing something up which affected our flow and the ability to build pressure.
“I’m particularly proud of our belief, to come down here as we know it’s a tough place to play so I’m really proud of the effort.”
Crusaders skipper Codie Taylor said: “It’s a tough one to take, we didn’t play well in the last 20 minutes and gave away a few penalties that ultimately cost us. They obviously wanted it more and we knew they were going to go flat out for the whole 80.”
Tony Brown’s Highlanders remain winless in the competition after the Blues saw off the Otago based side 32-20 to win the Gordon Hunter Memorial Trophy.
The Highlanders were on top at half time 13-3 but a second half capitulation allowed the Blues to pounce with stand in flyhalf Stephen Perofeta scoring 14 points.
Blues captain Dalton Papalii said: “The Highlanders are one of the best teams in the competition and that first half was a bit of a battle. We got some clear messages from the coaches and the leaders at half-time and the boys just flew into that second half.”
Aaron Smith was disappointed with his side’s second half collapse after such a promising first 40.
He said: “We had an awesome first half, put points on the board and we put them under immense pressure, used the wind to our advantage but the second half was pretty horrible. We allowed them into good situations, and you can’t give the calibre of players they have that kind of room and space, so they just teared us up in the end.”
In Friday’s late game, Tom Wright scored a brace as the Brumbies ran in six tries for a 36-17 win against the winless Melbourne Rebels.
Whilst on Saturday, the Queensland Reds beat Fijian Drua 33-28 in a thriller at Suncorp Stadium as Seru Uru’s late winner continued their unbeaten start to the season.
Saturday’s other fixture – Hurricanes vs Moana Pasifika was called off due to the effects of Covid-19 on the home team’s player pool.