The Crusaders recovered from a poor start to beat their rivals in a game notable for its spite and counter-attacking ambition, writes Patrick McKendry.
There is a retro theme to this year’s Super Rugby Pacific competition as a tribute to its 30-year anniversary.
It has mainly been based around original jersey designs and broadcast nostalgia but last night the Chiefs and Crusaders had a back-to-basics scrap that involved genuine spite and individual rivalry.
It must be said that the game, won 43-33 by the visitors at Waikato Stadium, was better for it.
Such was the fury with which both teams played, it seemed as though adrenaline got the better of tactics and game management and the result was end-to-end action which featured the welcome return of counter-attacking.
There have been some who have questioned the wisdom of the Crusaders wearing a jersey which pays tribute to their opening season in the competition; a disastrous one in terms of results – they finished dead last of 12 teams and won only two matches.
But that inaugural season was the catalyst for change – since then they’ve won 13 titles and are by far the most successful franchise in the competition’s history. It was based, former coach Wayne Smith said a few years ago, on a cult-like belief and adherence to preparation and performance and that could be seen in Will Jordan’s last-ditch tackle on Leroy Carter – of which more details shortly.
Needing a victory to break their losing streak after two rounds, the Crusaders were quickly down 14-0 and then found a bit of starch and decided to make a game of it.
Before kick-off, Crusaders had coach Rob Penney suggested the Chiefs traditionally get away with occasionally illegalities at the contact and breakdown areas and, after a shocking start for the visitors during which skipper David Havili missed two tackles in the build up to both Chiefs’ tries, the change in attitude from his men was stark.
There were scuffles aplenty in that first half, during which the Crusaders got back level at 21-21 and then took the lead with a late penalty after Chiefs prop Jared Proffitt tipped Havili upside down for no apparent reason, and for which Proffitt was probably lucky to escape with only the concession of a penalty.
Led by the Crusaders’ outstanding front row of Tamaiti Williams, George Bell and Fletcher Newell, Penney’s team took control via a scrum which has probably not been given the credit it has deserved so far this season.
Their lineout – the worst in the competition – let the Crusaders down but their eight-man shove picked up penalties almost at will and it continually chipped away at the Chiefs’ self belief, not to mention their field position.
The Chiefs were also poor defensively, while the Crusaders, directed by No.10 Taha Kemara who enjoyed a much improved performance in the city where he grew up, made far better use of the space afforded them and their strike weapons Jordan, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Chay Fihaki and Sevu Reece.
Loose forward Christian Lio-Willie scored a hat-trick of tries and hooker Bell scored another beauty before he limped from the field – but the real heroes were the Crusaders’ tight five, including replacement prop George Bower.
A final word on Jordan, who looked quick and decisive from the back.
One suspects that when former All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson described outside back Carter, a Test debutant last year, as the "quickest man in New Zealand rugby", it lit a fire under Jordan, who has excellent claims for the title himself.
To an insightful question from Sky Sports commentator and former All Black Stephen Donald after last night’s match about whether Jordan wanted to prove a point by chasing down Carter, who appeared to have a good head start and was odds-on to score the try that would have given his team a losing bonus point, the Crusader was diplomatic to the core.
"It was my 28th birthday last week," Jordan said. "As an outside back, you never know when that speed is going to come to an end. It’s good to know I’ve still got it, but there were a lot of efforts made in that 80 minutes, so it was a good chance for me to show my care for the team."
Blues trip at the finish line
Last year’s competition, won by the Crusaders, was one of the most even and unpredictable of the lot and this year’s appears to be heading in a similar direction.
The Blues have had a better start to 2026 and should have beat the Brumbies in Canberra last night, but for a rush of blood from Stephen Perofeta and a self-belief and accuracy under pressure from the home side which suggests they will be a force this year.
The Brumbies, who thrashed the Crusaders in Christchurch in round two – the first time they’ve won there in 26 years – simply went to work once Perofeta was yellow carded for an alleged intentional slap down of the ball and, with no room for error, they got the job done 30-27 after the fulltime siren. Impressive.
Lautoka claims another victim
Churchill Park has again played host to a dream-dashing performance by the Drua, who three times came back from seven-point deficits to beat the Hurricanes 25-20.
It was the Drua’s first win of the season and was another reminder about how difficult it is to play at their fortress which this time featured a water-logged pitch and a giant penalty goal from his side of halfway by Hurricanes skipper Jordie Barrett.
The Highlanders, who lost 31-14 to the Reds in Brisbane, and Moana Pasifika, beaten 35-19 by the Force in Pukekohe, were second best.
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