The Crusaders are winless no more with the defending Super Rugby Pacific champions putting in a much-improved performance as they beat the Chiefs 37-26.
Mosese Bason won the DJ Graham Medal as the best player in the Super Rugby Under 20 tournament in Taupo.
The 18th and final match of the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season promised to be an absolute belter.
All Blacks captain Sam Cane will return from injury to play for the Chiefs in their Super Rugby Pacific semi-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch on Friday.
The Chiefs are set to receive a massive boost in their hunt for a home Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final as star lock Brodie Retallick nears a return from injury.
After making his test debut in 2020 on the back of a breakout campaign with the Chiefs, 2021 was another big year for 21-year-old second-rower Tupou Vaa'i.
While injuries will inevitably play a part in next year's Super Rugby campaign, Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has selected seven loose forwards who he hopes will be able to bear the brunt of the load throughout the season.
While the capabilities of Brodie Retallick and Josh Ioane are already well known, it's the pedigree and potential of the new additions that should bode well for the Chiefs next year and into the future.
The loss of Damian McKenzie isn't an easy one to compensate for, but the return of Brodie Retallick and the arrival of Josh Ioane from the Highlanders means the Chiefs will still boast plenty of star power in Super Rugby Pacific.
Ian Foster will name the first All Blacks squad of 2021 on Monday evening. Who will be the lucky men who received the call-up, and who will be left wondering about what could have been?