Twice beaten finalists over the past two years, the Chiefs have delivered an ominous warning to the rest of the competition that they mean business in 2025 as they attempt to win their third Super Rugby title.
A week after going to Eden Park and knocking over the reigning Super Rugby in a second-half clinic, the Chiefs once again turned it on in the second 40 minutes against round one winners the Crusaders to run out 49-24 at home on Friday night.
Indeed, after an early penalty to James O’Connor to see the Crusaders draw level with the home side 17-17, the Chiefs ran in five unanswered second-half tries to blow open the game before the visitors scored a late try to Antonio Shalfoon.
Former Crusaders and All Blacks halfback Justin Marshall watched in awe.
“It certainly is a statement and you’d have to say very much similar to last week,” he said on Sky.
“They have depth, they have talent and they have the ability to completely change the structure of the game, and they did last week against the Blues and they’ve done it here tonight.”
Quinn Tupaea scored a double in the Chiefs’ massive win over the Crusaders. (Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images)
Making the record win all the more remarkable was they did it despite losing star flanker Luke Jacobson to concussion and after some early ill-discipline saw star lock Tupou Vaa’i sent to the sin bin for a high shot on Fletcher Newell.
“The Crusaders are a quality side and have been for many years and circle it on the calendar,” hooker Bradley Slater said.
“I’m glad we could put out a good performance for the home fans in our first home game.”
The game turned on its head when the Chiefs hit back immediately after O’Connor’s penalty as sevens recruit Leroy Carter showed speed and power by scoring out wide.
It didn’t take long for the Chiefs to go again as Samipeni Finau, who entered the fray early for Jacobson, scored after the home side blew open the Crusaders’ defence.
Three tries in seven minutes, including a five-pointer to rising fly-half Josh Jacomb and a double to All Black Quinn Tupaea in his 50th Super Rugby match, then saw the Chiefs turn it on in front of their home fans.
Crusaders captain David Havili said his side simply lost connection in the second half, with the visitors guilty of falling off tackles and being blow apart at the scrum.
“I think a bit of execution, we got to 17-all and fell away and the Chiefs played a great 80-minute performance,” the inside centre said.
“It’s just about staying connected and don’t lose our eye contact. The Chiefs put us under a lot of pressure in the back 20 of that half and that’s what an 80-minute performance looks like.”