The Chiefs delivered one of the most emphatic second-half turnarounds in Super Rugby Pacific history, scoring 32 unanswered points to transform a 16-point deficit into a commanding 35-19 victory over the reigning champions at Apollo Projects Stadium.
Key Moments
7′ – Tom Christie opens scoring after slick Chay Fihaki hands (7-0)
18′ – Will Jordan forced off with knee injury (Dallas McLeod replaces)
32′ – Scott Barrett crashes over from short ball (12-0)
34′ – Damian McKenzie reduces deficit with penalty (12-3)
38′ – Antonio Shalfoon powers over off lineout maul (17-3)
40+2′ – Emoni Narawa finishes after Sevu Reece knockdown (19-10)
44′ – Damian McKenzie scores after slicing through defence (19-17)
47′ – Leroy Carter finishes 80-metre breakaway from Gideon Wrampling pass (19-22)
48′ – Damian McKenzie converts to complete lead turnaround (19-22)
57′ – Damian McKenzie penalty extends lead (19-25)
62′ – Damian McKenzie slots another penalty (19-28)
74′ – Wallace Sititi powers over after 18 phases (19-33)
75′ – Damian McKenzie converts to complete rout (19-35)
In a match billed as the showpiece of Round 13, the Chiefs seized firm control of the championship race with a performance that combined clinical execution with devastating counter-attacking brilliance. The visitors now sit four points clear atop the standings, with the Crusaders’ four-match winning streak emphatically ended.
The opening 40 minutes appeared to follow a familiar script, with the Crusaders asserting their traditional home dominance on a crisp Canterbury evening. Tom Christie opened the scoring after just seven minutes, capitalising on a moment of individual brilliance from winger Chay Fihaki, who executed a difficult 50-22 kick from a slim angle near the halfway line. The lineout catch and subsequent quick ball movement released Christie down the right channel, where he finished powerfully despite the attentions of two Chiefs defenders.
Rivez Reihana converted expertly from the touchline, demonstrating the goal-kicking prowess that would prove crucial throughout the opening period.
The Crusaders’ dominance grew when All Blacks lock Scott Barrett crashed over in the 32nd minute, the towering forward receiving a short ball from inside the 22 and muscling through defenders with trademark physicality before stretching out to place the ball on the line. Though Reihana’s conversion attempt drifted wide, the hosts commanded a 12-0 buffer.
Damian McKenzie finally opened the Chiefs’ account with a penalty kick in the 34th minute, capitalising on a high tackle penalty against Braydon Ennor that was compounded by Christian Lio-Willie’s dissent, earning the visitors an additional 10 metres of field position.
Antonio Shalfoon appeared to put the contest beyond doubt six minutes before half-time, powering over after a well-executed lineout maul. The big lock received quick ball from Noah Hotham following several pick-and-drive phases, showing remarkable determination to ground the ball despite heavy contact at the line. Reihana’s conversion stretched the lead to 14 points with just minutes remaining in the half.
However, the complexion shifted dramatically in the dying moments when Emoni Narawa scored just seconds after the half-time siren. A Crusaders penalty allowed the Chiefs to attack from 20 metres out, and when Shaun Stevenson’s pass was knocked down by Sevu Reece, Narawa scooped up the bouncing ball to score in the right corner despite the scrambling home defence. McKenzie threaded a sublime touchline conversion, reducing the deficit to nine points and providing crucial momentum heading into the interval.
The transformation continued immediately after the restart when Stevenson executed a perfectly weighted 50-22 kick that set up an attacking lineout within striking distance. The forward drive was repelled, but quick ball allowed Damian McKenzie to demonstrate masterful playmaking skills, wrapping around the back of a ruck before slicing through a gap created by Simon Parker’s initial charge. McKenzie’s acceleration through the hole caught the Crusaders defence flat-footed, allowing him to dive over near the posts with minimal pressure.
The coup de grâce arrived just three minutes later in a moment of individual brilliance that will be replayed for years to come. Following a mistimed grubber kick from David Havili deep in Chiefs territory, Gideon Wrampling swooped on the loose ball and immediately released Leroy Carter on the left wing. What followed was rugby artistry at its finest – Carter accelerated through the gears, breaking past three would-be tacklers before executing a devastating left-foot step that left Dallas McLeod grasping at air. The wing’s 80-metre sprint to the line showcased his electric pace and footwork, transforming a defensive opportunity into one of the tries of the season.
Though McKenzie’s conversion attempt sailed wide, the Chiefs had secured their first lead of the match and the psychological momentum had shifted irreversibly. The game’s turning point had arrived, and the hosts appeared shell-shocked by the sudden reversal of fortunes.
McKenzie’s accurate boot kept the Crusaders at arm’s length throughout the remainder of the contest. His 57th-minute penalty, awarded after Tom Christie failed to roll away at a ruck, extended the lead to six points. Five minutes later, another penalty in similar circumstances – this time Ioane Moananu the guilty party – allowed McKenzie to push the margin to nine points from 42 metres out.
Despite desperate late attempts from a shell-shocked Crusaders outfit, the visitors’ defensive line remained impenetrable. The Chiefs showed remarkable composure in the final 20 minutes, combining suffocating defence with intelligent territory management to nullify any hopes of a home fightback.
Wallace Sititi, making his first start since recovering from injury, delivered the final blow in the 74th minute. After 18 phases of sustained pressure from the Chiefs inside the Crusaders’ 22, the powerhouse number eight received quick ball from Cortez Ratima and powered through three defenders to score near the posts. McKenzie converted with ease, sealing a comprehensive victory that left the Apollo Projects Stadium crowd stunned into silence.
The victory represents a significant psychological shift in this season’s title race. The Chiefs, who had previously managed just two wins in their last 10 visits to Christchurch, demonstrated both the resilience and ruthless streak required of championship teams. Their ability to completely neutralise the Crusaders’ vaunted running game whilst executing their own attacking opportunities with clinical precision marked them as serious title contenders.
For the Crusaders, this defeat may prove costlier than the final scoreline suggests. Will Jordan’s 19th-minute departure with a suspected knee injury further compounds their concerns, particularly given his instrumental role in their resurgence this season. The fullback’s influence in both attack and defence had been crucial to the hosts’ dominant first-half display, and his absence became increasingly apparent as the Chiefs seized control.
The home side’s lineout also malfunctioned at crucial moments, presenting opportunities for the Chiefs to maintain pressure and control field position. Combined with uncharacteristic errors from experienced campaigners like David Havili and Noah Hotham, these lapses proved decisive in a contest where margin for error was minimal.
Rob Penney’s side, now 8-3, must quickly regroup ahead of Friday’s challenging assignment against the Waratahs in Sydney. The loss of momentum following this comprehensive defeat, coupled with potential injury concerns surrounding Jordan, presents significant challenges for a team with genuine title aspirations.
Meanwhile, the Chiefs (9-3) can savour this statement victory during their bye week, knowing they have firmly established themselves as favourites for the championship. Their attacking arsenal, led by the masterful McKenzie and supported by game-breakers like Carter, Sititi and Narawa, appears perfectly suited to the demands of knockout rugby.
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