Crusaders claim Super Rugby Pacific title over Chiefs in thriller

The Crusaders have continued their dominance, claiming the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific title with a 25-20 win over the Chiefs in Hamilton

The Chiefs started fast, however it was the Crusaders that lead 15-10 at the break thanks to tries to Codie Taylor and Richie Mo'unga

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Shaun Stevenson's magic set up Emoni Narawa as they took their own five point lead, only for discipline to let them down.

The hosts received three yellow cards, including one to captain Sam Cane with ten minutes to go.

It allowed Taylor to score his second try of the game, with Richie Mo'unga kicking a penalty to secure the victory.

It's the Crusaders' 14th Super Rugby title as coach Scott Robertson goes out on a high

FOLLOW A RECAP OF ALL THE ACTION IN THE LIVE BLOG BELOW OR IN THEMATCH CENTRE

79': Crusaders get the pilfer penalty, sealing the title. Mo'unga kicks the extras to ensure the win. Crusaders 25-20

78': Chiefs with ball in hand but they're going backwards, stuck in their 22

76': And it falls short! McKenzie gives it a thump but it's about two metres short

75': Crusaders give away the penalty just over halfway, McKenzie steps up to put the Chiefs in front

72': Taylor gets his second as the Crusaders take a late lead Crusaders 22-20

71': Sam Cane is sent to the bin for a cynical foul

70': Crusaders turn to attack, once again held up but they have the penalty 5 metres out

65': Chiefs hunt for the killer blow, only for the visitors to come up with the turnover

57': The Crusaders instantly work down the field but are just denied by the Chiefs for the goal line drop out

55': The Chiefs work a perfect lineout move for a try to Narawa, however, McKenzie is found to be offside by the TMO

49': McKenzie adds three more to the delight of the home crowd Chiefs 20-15

43': Stevenson turns provider to put Emoni Narawa over the line Chiefs 17-15

HALF TIME: CRUSADERS 15 - 10 CHIEFS

40+1': Chay Fihaki is handed the tee from halfway, but the kick fades away

36': Richie Mo'unga finishes off a break from Leicester Fainga'anuku to take the lead Crusaders 15-10

32': McKenzie can't extend the lead as his penalty drifts left

28': Codie Taylor instantly takes advantage at the back of the rolling maul for the try Chiefs 10-8

27': Luke Jacobson goes to the bin as the Chiefs struggle with discipline, already conceding eight penalties

23': Shaun Stevenson blitzes through the line and scores a great try Chiefs 10-3

19': McKenzie and the Chiefs respond to the Crusaders' early dominance with a penalty of their own 3-all

13': All the Crusaders so far but the Chiefs hanging on for the moment

10': Off the kick-off, Anton Lienert-Brown hits Dallas McLeod high, sent for ten with the tackle confirmed as a yellow

9': The Chiefs infringe close to the posts and Richie Mo'unga adds first points Crusaders 3-0

7': The Crusaders building pressure on the Chiefs' line as the hosts are forced to defend early

CRUSADERS 25

TRIES: Taylor 2, Mo'unga

CONS: Mo'unga 2/3

PENS: Mo'unga 2/2, Fihaki 0/1

CHIEFS 20

TRIES: Stevenson, Narawa

CONS: McKenzie 2/2

PENS: McKenzie 2/4

CHIEFS (1-15): Aidan Ross, Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Dyer, Brodie Retallick, Tupou Vaai, Pita Gus Sowakula, Sam Cane (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Brad Weber (co-c), Damian McKenzie, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Anton Lienert-Brown, Alex Nankivell, Emoni Narawa, Shaun Stevenson

RESERVES: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi

CRUSADERS (1-15): Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Oliver Jager, Scott Barrett (c), Sam Whitelock, Sione Havili Talitui, Tom Christie, Christian Lio-Willie, Mitchell Drummond, Richie Mo'unga, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jack Goodhue, Braydon Ennor, Dallas McLeod, Will Jordan

RESERVES: Brodie McAlister, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O'Neill, Quinten Strange, Dominic Gardiner, Corey Kellow, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

Referee: Ben O'Keeffe

Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Angus Gardner