The Crusaders have got their season back on track with a comeback 43-33 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton last night in Round 3 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.
In a rematch of the 2025 Final, the Crusaders scored 36 unanswered points to stun the hosts and get their first win of the season.
The Chiefs were motivated for revenge and came out delivering an early blitz.
Leroy Carter almost got the opener in the fourth minute after Daniel Rona burst through the defence. While he was put into touch, an errant throw by the Crusaders set up Quinn Tupaea to dive over from close.
Carter then launched from his own try-line to set up a contender for try of the year.
The former Sevens star sprinted away after beating several defenders, with some remarkable hands finding fullback Etene Nanai-Seturo to complete a special 95 metre try.
George Bell got the Crusaders on the board with a powerful run from close to the line, but the Chiefs hit back straight away through their own hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho for a 21-7 lead after 22 minutes.
This is where the Crusaders kicked into life and turned the game.
Will Jordan settled the visitors, adding to the frantic start with his own break that delivered a try to Noah Hotham. Jordan nearly had his own try, with a wicked bounce the only thing saving the Chiefs.
However, the hosts couldn’t stop Christian Lio-Willie and suddenly the scores were level.
The Crusaders edged in front at half-time after a tip tackle cleanout off the ball, with Taha Kemara slotting the penalty for a 24-21 lead as tempers continued to flare up in the tunnel.
They kept the momentum flowing into the second half, with a wave of possession and territory setting the platform for Lio-Willie’s second.
David Havili then showed off the aerobatics in the corner after a looping ball from Will Jordan found Chay Fihaki, cutting back inside before the play flipped back to the captain.
Lio-Willie’s third sealed the win with 14 minutes to go after another bold call to attack from their own 22 paid off for the visitors.
A yellow card to Noah Hotham provided the opportunities for a late Chiefs comeback and tries to Tupou Vaa’i and Emoni Narawa.
But it was too little, too late to stop the Crusaders as they closed out a much-needed win with a remarkable try-saving tackle by Jordan on Carter.
In other results, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua edged the Hurricanes 25-20, and the Brumbies continued their dominance with a 30-27 over the Blues.
Source: Super Rugby
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