Cullen Grace and Tom Christie lead the Crusaders' charge into the Super Rugby Final

Cullen Grace and Tom Christie lead the Crusaders' charge into the Super Rugby Final

The Crusaders secure a place in the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific Final defeating the Chiefs 20-7 in the semi-final at Orangetheory Stadium on Friday.

 

The match marked Scott Robertson's 100th game in charge of the Crusaders with his side delivering his 84th victory.

 

The Chiefs controlled possession for the majority of the encounter holding onto the ball for 65% of the match. However, they managed to crack open the Crusaders' defence just once over the 80 minutes. 

 

Richie Mo'unga slotted a penalty either side of Quinn Tupaea's yellow card for a high tackle on Pablo Matera.

 

 

The Chiefs continued to press for a try and the Crusaders kept conceding penalties until flanker Pablo Matera was sent to the sin bin for multiple team infringements.


 

Despite being a man down, the Crusaders would be the first team score as they managed to turn the ball over in their 22 and clear into the Chiefs' half.

Brad Weber managed to get back for the Chiefs but the scrumhalf was tackled over his own try line. From the resulting scrum, Cullen Grace picked up and carried two Chiefs' defenders before reaching out to score.

 

With the Crusaders leading 13-0 after 25 minutes, the Chiefs finally opened their account with prop Angus Ta'avo able to shake off a tackle and wiggled over the try line. Bryn Gatland added the extras as the Chiefs closed the gap to six points.

 

After returning from his yellow card, Pablo Matera was given his marching orders with a second yellow card for a high tackle in the 31st minute.

 

Again, the one-man disadvantage did impact the Crusaders too much as Cullen Grace scored his second try of the match.

 

The back-rower collected the final pass from Richie Mo'unga who kickstarted the attack with a lovely offload before delivering the final long pass.

 

The Crusaders went into the break with a 20-7 lead.

 

The second half was closely fought as both sides were unable to get on the scoreboard. The Chiefs continued to put the Crusaders under pressure and missed several clear cut try-scoring opportunities.

The Crusaders' defence remained resolute throughout and in the 69th minute they were provided with the opportunity to seal the result. However, Mo'unga missed the shot at goal.

The scores remained unchanged throughout the second half as they ran o-ut 20-7 victors.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

 

CRUSADERS' DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE

The Crusaders made 231 tackles against the Chiefs, a Super Rugby record. They did miss 23 in total.

 

Flanker Tom Christie topped the tackle count with an impressive 30 tackles while Cullen Grace made 24 tackles to go with his two tries.

 

Captain Scott Barrett matched Grace's tally of 24 as young second-rower Zach Gallagher managed 20 tackles after he was catapulted into the starting at the last minute as Sam Whitelock withdrew due to injury.

 

Tighthead prop Oli Jager racked up 20 tackles in just 50 minutes.

 

Pablo Matera, Richie Mo'unga, and Will Jordan were the only starting players that did not make 10 tackles or more.

 

RICHIE MO'UNGA AND WILL JORDAN PROVIDE THE ATTACKING SPARK

The Crusaders' attack opportunities were limited but flyhalf Richie Mo'unga and fullback Will Jordan proved to be the attacking sparks they needed.

 

Jordan made 67 running metres from his six carries beating six defenders and made one clean break.

 

Mo'unga assisted Cullen Grace's second try and finished the match with two clean breaks, 31 running metres and beat eight defenders.

 

MATCH ROUND UP

 

Crusaders 20 (Tries: Cullen Grace 2. Con: Richie Mo’unga 2. Pen: Richie Mo’unga 2) 

Chiefs 7 (Tries: Angus Ta’avao. Con: Bryn Gatland)  HT: 20-7

 

CRUSADERS: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Josh Goodhue 12 David Havili (VC), 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Bryn Hall, 8 Cullen Grace, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Pablo Matera, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett (C), 3 Oli Jager, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.

 

Replacements: 16 Brodie McAllister, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Zach Gallagher, 20 Corey Kellow, 21 Mitchell Drummond, 22 Braydon Ennor, 23 George Bridge

 

CHIEFS: 15 Josh Ioane 14: Jonah Lowe 13: Alex Nankivell 12: Quinn Tupaea 11: Etene Nanai-Seturo 10: Bryn Gatland 9: Brad Weber (C) 8: Pita Gus Sowakula 7: Luke Jacobson 6: Samipeni Finau 5: Tupou Vaa’i 4: Brodie Retallick 3: Angus Ta’avao 2: Samisoni Taukei’aho 1: Aidan Ross

 

Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 George Dyer, 19 Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 20 Sam Cane, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Rameka Poihipi 23 Chase Tiatia

 
 
 
 
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