Crusaders’ Triumph: A Stunning Redemption as They Reclaim the Super Rugby Pacific Title

This article originally appeared on Stuff and is reproduced with permission

Once again, they reign supreme. This victory marks the ultimate triumph for head coach Rob Penney.

The Crusaders narrowly defeated the Chiefs 16-12 in Christchurch on Saturday evening, securing their record 15th Super Rugby title, and the eighth in just nine seasons.

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Penney will now raise – and likely toast with – the trophy that many thought would be claimed by the Chiefs, especially after they fell short in the previous two finals.

Not this time, however.

Similar to 2023, the Crusaders overcame two regular season losses to the Chiefs, emerging victorious when it truly mattered.

The pivotal moment unfolded with just nine minutes remaining, as they demonstrated their hallmark resilience, pushing through the Chiefs’ scrum following a fumble by Josh Jacomb on a high ball from Will Jordan.

Fly-half Rivez Reihana, who was a member of the Chiefs during their loss in the 2023 final, slotted his third penalty of the night, narrowing the gap to four points.

This cushion proved decisive, allowing the Crusaders to stun the Chiefs in a final for the third occasion since 2021.

They played to their strengths – exceptional defence, set pieces, and the ability to seize critical moments.

Finally, Penney, typically reserved in public, let his emotions flow in the coaching box, a sentiment echoed by his assistants, particularly forwards coach Dan Perrin, who celebrated joyfully.

Will Jordan’s aerial skills were vital in sealing the match, which only featured one penalty goal from the Crusaders in the second half, with both teams engaging in risky exchanges and exhibiting steely defence that kept fans on the edge of their seats.

One significant play was hooker Codie Taylor’s scrambling tackle after the Chiefs looked poised for a breakaway early in the second half, a moment that contributed greatly to the hosts’ victory.

The Chiefs’ Damian McKenzie missed an important penalty on a night filled with mistakes, preventing them from achieving history by becoming the first team to beat the Crusaders in a playoff match held at their home ground.

As a result, they remain at a record of 32-0 at home in playoffs, denying departing Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan the farewell he had hoped for.

The match had commenced promisingly for the Chiefs, catching the home crowd off-guard as they made early gains, winning scrum penalties, stealing a lineout, and scoring first through tighthead prop George Dyer to quiet the 17,000-strong crowd.

However, the tide turned as Crusaders prop Fletcher Newell gained sweet revenge with back-to-back scrum penalties against Ollie Norris.

This paved the way for a superb Crusaders response, with Taylor scoring a brilliant try after rapidly breaking off a rolling maul to dash 22 metres down the sideline, catching the Chiefs off-guard.

Suddenly, the Chiefs appeared rattled, as shown when fullback Shaun Stevenson mishandled a simple kick from David Havili.

Reihana converted two penalties, including one after centre Braydon Ennor won a breakdown penalty, stretching the Crusaders’ lead to six points.

Despite some pinpoint restarts from McKenzie keeping the Chiefs competitive in the first half, they managed to score again before half-time, with Stevenson finishing expertly to narrow the gap as they went into the break.

However, they couldn’t add to their score in the second half and ultimately had to deal with a third consecutive defeat in a Super Rugby Pacific final.