In front of a sold out crowd at FMG Stadium, the Chiefs and the Crusaders went to battle with the red and black coming out victorious 25-20, a perfect send off for All Blacks coach in waiting Scott Robertson with 7 titles.
THE LAST DANCE
— Super Rugby Pacific (@SuperRugby) June 24, 2023
The moment you've all been waiting for...take it away Razor 🕺#WelcomeToYourSuperStage #SuperRugbyPacific #CHIvCRU pic.twitter.com/K6QGBJ3twy
The Crusaders put on a masterclass performance dominating most of the first half with the Chiefs back pedaling after conceding 6 penalties in a row and getting 2 yellow cards to Luke Jacobson and Anton Lienert Brown.
The teams traded penalty kicks early on through Mo'unga and McKenzie with them equal at 3-all. The Chiefs recycled the ball quickly and Shaun Stevenson was able to get the first try of the night with McKenzie converting to put them in front 10-3.
In the 27th minute Luke Jacobson got a yellow card for infringing at the ruck, Crusaders quickly took advantage and Codie Taylor went over for their first try in the 29th minute.
Mo'unga missed so the Chiefs still led 10-8.
After a quick ball from Drummond to the forwards who put the pressure on the Chiefs forward, space out wide opened and Mo'unga darted in for a try.
Mo'unga converted as the Crusaders took the lead again 15-10.
The teams went into the sheds 15-10 to the Crusaders.
In the second half the Chiefs lifted the intensity with a try to Emoni Narawa making it seem like they might have changed their ways leading 17-15.
Penalty counts came back and haunted the Chiefs and they lost co-captain Sam Cane with 9 minutes to go.
The Chiefs spent the rest of the game playing with 14 men and it was all downhill from there.
The Crusaders sealed the win with a 80th minute penalty from Mo'unga ending the game 25-20.
Live Updates:
KICKOFF!
History, rivalry, strategy a lot on the line tonight.
6 titles the Crusaders have won under Robertson, can they make it 7?
Crusaders get the first chance and they win the line out.
2" Shaun Stevenson gets the Chiefs out of trouble with a massive kick from inside their 22
5" Anton Lienert Brown gets penalised, Crusaders kick to the 22m. Quick line out, Chiefs get penalised again.
7" Taukei'aho gives away another penalty in front of the posts, Mo'unga kicks the Crusaders to 3-0 Chiefs
9" Anton Lienert Brown shown a Yellow Card for not making an effort to lower his tackle.
11" The teams feeling each other out with kicks back and forth going for territory.
Chiefs concede ANOTHER penalty
13" Chiefs have conceded 6 penalties in a row.
14" Emoni Narawa gets the Chiefs out of trouble clearing the ball from their 5m line with a kick into touch
15" Chiefs finally get a penalty and have opted for a scrum 37 metres out from the try line
17" Chiefs on the attack looking Dangerous in the Crusaders 22
19" Crusaders penalised for not rolling.
Chiefs opt for goal and MacKenzie converts, 3-3.
22" Chiefs on the attack again, Taukei'aho goes up the side.
Chiefs recycle and set up Shaun Stevenson for a try 8-3.
24" MacKenzie converts, Chiefs lead 10-3
26" Chiefs penalised for a high shot
27" Ref sees Yellow again and Chiefs flanker Luke Jacobson is out for 10
29" Crusaders strike back and TRY to Codie Taylor.
Mo'unga misses, Crusaders 8-10 Chiefs
32" MacKenzie misses the shot at goal, Chiefs still lead 10-8
34" Drummond pressures the Chiefs with a kick into their 22 but luckily Narawa clears it with a good kick
35" TRY to Mo'unga!!
37" Mo'unga converts, Crusaders take the lead 15-10
38" Braydon Ennor kicks the ball full out, but Crusaders get back possession
39" A minute left till half-time and the Crusaders get a penalty, Chay Fihaki gets the nod to take the kick, misses.
Half time: Crusaders 15-10 Chiefs
Second Half now underway: Crusaders still lead the Chiefs 15-10.
41" Nice bit of play from the Crusaders, but Will Jordan just couldn't hold on and dropped the ball, scrum to the Chiefs
42" TRY to Narawa!!
Chiefs open the second half with a perfect statement with that try
44" McKenzie is on fire tonight with his boot converting that from the corner.
Chiefs 17-15 Crusaders
46" Crusader concede a penalty on halfway
McKenzie goes for touch, 22 metres for the Crusaders
47" Narawa carving up the Crusaders defence, Chiefs get another penalty
49" Mckenzie adds another 3 points with a big smile.
Chiefs 20-15 Crusaders
50" Samipeni Finau on the field now replacing Sowakula for the Chiefs
Chiefs get a scrum
51" A lot of kicking back and forth by both teams trying to get territory, Narawa makes a mistake and kicks straight out
55" Crusaders penalized, player not supporting his body weight
55" Narawa gets his second TRY!!
Checking with TMO if there was an offside and if the try should not be allowed
56" Try disallowed, offside.
Chiefs 20-15 Crusaders
56" Crusaders in the Chiefs 22, penalty against the Chiefs.
Crusaders go for another line out.
58" Held up, Chiefs drop out from their goal line.
59" Penalty to Chiefs, kick out towards half-way
61" Knocked on by the Chiefs, scrum to Crusaders
63" Penalty to Chiefs, ball carrier not releasing
65" Chiefs on the attack inside Crusaders 22, 11 phases already but they cough up the ball
Heinz clears
McKenzie brings it back but Crusaders retain possession
68" Crusaders on the attack, 13 phases, Chiefs get penalised for not releasing in the tackle
69" Penalty advantage to the Crusader, ball held up Crusaders opt for a line out
71" Yellow Card to Chiefs co-captain Sam Cane!!
72" TRY!! by Codie Taylor
73" Mo'unga converts
Crusaders 22-20 Chiefs
76" Chiefs get a penalty, McKenzie from 53 metres
Penalty Missed by Mckenzie!!
79" Chiefs concede a penalty with seconds on the clock
80" CRUSADERS WIN!!
Mo'unga converts.
Crusaders 25-20 Full Time
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