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Crusaders overcome error-riddled Chiefs to book place in Super Rugby Pacific final

(Photo by Peter Meecham/Getty Images)

The Crusaders have beaten an error-strewn Chiefs side in Christchurch to qualify for the Super Rugby Pacific final next week.

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In dreadful conditions at Orangetheory Stadium, Crusaders No 8 Cullen Grace grabbed a brace of tries, cancelling out the one scored by Chiefs prop Angus Ta’avao to hand his side a 20-7 victory.

A Pablo Matera red card, received after conceding two yellows, wasn’t a big enough advantage for the Chiefs, who were their own worst enemy on numerous occasions throughout the contest.

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Aotearoa Rugby Pod | Episode 17

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One poor decision was often followed by another needless mistake, and while they dominated possession and territory, frequently parking themselves inside the opposition’s 22, the Chiefs couldn’t capitalise on their dominance.

Instead, the Crusaders, who should have shipped far more points with their poor discipline that resulted in a lopsided penalty count, defended stoutly throughout the entirety of the match.

In the end, with little more than 30 percent possession and minimal territory, the Crusaders produced over 140 more tackles than the Chiefs.

While there was a regular sense of cynicism in the way in which they tackled and attacked the breakdown, it has to be acknowledged the tenacity with which the Crusaders defended as it proved to be the hallmark of their hard-earned victory.

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Bidding for a sixth championship trophy in as many years, the Crusaders will meet the winner of the Blues-Brumbies who play the other semi-final at Eden Park on Saturday.

“It was effort. I’m immensely proud of the boys,” said Crusaders skipper Scott Barrett.

“You have to take your hats off to the Chiefs. They threw 120 per cent at us and I’m sure there are going to be some sore bodies over the next few days.”

The Chiefs needed everything to go right for them to upset the Crusaders but suffered a terrible opening quarter and blew three, hot try chances.

Down 6-0 after two early Mo’unga penalties, the Chiefs saw the first try go begging when Pita Gus Sowakula failed to ground the ball in the 12th minute.

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The Chiefs wasted the second chance on the cusp of halftime when Alex Nankivell flung a wide ball straight to Crusaders winger Leicester Fainga’anuku.

No 12 Quinn Tupaea later sent a pass sailing over Alex Nankivell’s head into the terraces as the unmarked centre streamed toward the right corner in the 54th minute.

The Chiefs battled to the finish but were constantly repelled by the wall of red-and-black jerseys as the Crusaders stayed firm in an attritional second half to set up another championship match in a week’s time.

Crusaders 20 (Tries to Cullen Grace (2); 2 conversions and 2 penalties to Richie Mo’unga)

Chiefs 7 (Try to Angus Ta’avao; conversion to Bryn Gatland)

– additional reporting from AAP

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O
Oh no, not him again? 2 hours ago
England internationals disagree on final play execution vs All Blacks

Okay, so we blew it big time on Saturday. So rather than repeating what most people have all ready said, what do I want to see from Borthwick going forward?


Let's keep Marcus Smith on the pitch if he's fit and playing well. I was really pleased with his goal kicking. It used to be his weakness. I feel sympathy for George Ford who hadn't kicked all match and then had a kick to win the game. You hear pundits and commentators commend kickers who have come off the bench and pulled that off. Its not easy. If Steve B continues to substitute players with no clear reason then he is going to get criticised.


On paper I thought England would beat NZ if they played to their potential and didn't show NZ too much respect. Okay, the off the ball tackles certainly stopped England scoring tries, but I would have liked to see more smashing over gainlines and less kicking for position. Yes, I also know it's the Springbok endorsed world cup double winning formula but the Kiwi defence isn't the Bok defence, is it. If you have the power to put Smith on the front foot then why muzzle him? I guess what I'm saying is back, yourself. Why give the momentum to a team like NZ? Why feed the beast? Don't give the ball to NZ. Well d'uh.


Our scrum is a long term weakness. If you are going to play Itoje then he needs an ogre next door and a decent front row. Where is our third world class lock? Where are are realible front row bench replacements? The England scrum has been flakey for a while now. It blows hot and cold. Our front five bench is not world class.


On the positive side I love our starting backrow right now. I'd like to see them stick together through to the next world cup.


Anyway, there is always another Saturday.

7 Go to comments
C
CO 2 hours ago
Scott Robertson responds to criticism over All Blacks' handling errors

Robertson is more a manager of coaches than a coach so it comes down to intent of outcomes at a high level. I like his intent, I like the fact his Allblacks are really driving the outcomes however as he's pointed out the high error rates are not test level and their control of the game is driving both wins and losses. England didn't have to play a lot of rugby, they made far fewer mistakes and were extremely unlucky not to win.


In fact the English team were very early in their season and should've been comfortably beaten by an Allblacks team that had played multiple tests together.


Razor has himself recognised that to be the best they'll have to sort out the crisis levels of mistakes that have really increased since the first two tests against England.


Early tackles were a classic example of hyper enthusiasm to not give an inch, that passion that Razor has achieved is going to be formidable once the unforced errors are eliminated.


That's his secret, he's already rebuilt the passion and that's the most important aspect, its inevitable that he'll now eradicate the unforced errors. When that happens a fellow tier one nation is going to get thrashed. I don't think it will be until 2025 though.


The Allblacks will lose both tests against Ireland and France if they play high error rates rugby like they did against England.


To get the unforced errors under control he's going to be needing to handover the number eight role to Sititi and reset expectations of what loose forwards do. Establish a clear distinction with a large, swarthy lineout jumper at six that is a feared runner and dominant tackler and a turnover specialist at seven that is abrasive in contact. He'll then need to build depth behind the three starters and ruthlessly select for that group to be peaking in 2027 in hit Australian conditions on firm, dry grounds.


It's going to help him that Savea is shifting to the worst super rugby franchise where he's going to struggle behind a beaten pack every week.


The under performing loose forward trio is the key driver of the high error rates and unacceptable turn overs due to awol link work. Sititi is looking like he's superman compared to his openside and eight.


At this late stage in the season they shouldn't be operating with just the one outstanding loose forward out of four selected for the English test. That's an abject failure but I think Robertson's sacrificing link quality on purpose to build passion amongst the junior Allblacks as they see the reverential treatment the old warhorses are receiving for their long term hard graft.


It's unfortunately losing test matches and making what should be comfortable wins into nail biters but it's early in the world cup cycle so perhaps it's a sacrifice worth making.


However if this was F1 then Sam Cane would be Riccardo and Ardie would be heading into Perez territory so the loose forwards desperately need revitalisation through a rebuild over the next season to complement the formidable tight five.

28 Go to comments
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