Top Performers: Chiefs vs Crusaders

The 2024 Super Rugby Pacific season kicked off in style as the Chiefs earned a late victory over the defending champion Crusaders at Waikato Stadium. Leading 27-10 at halftime, the Chiefs coughed up the lead with 10 minutes to play before two late penalties secure a 33-29 victory.

Here are some of our top performers:

Shaun Stevenson

The electric outside back made the most metres from ball carries with 80m including a line break and 3 defenders beaten in his 13 carries.

Metres: 80

D. Beaten: 3

Breaks: 1

Carries: 13

Quinn Tupaea

The Chiefs inside centre had a great game before being taken off injured. Tupaea got the Chiefs attacking momentum with his ball carries and beat the most defenders in the match with 6.

Metres: 64

D. Beaten: 6

Breaks: 0

Carries: 15

Etene Nanai-Seturo

One of the Chiefs stars from the 2023 campiagn got off to an electric start against the Crusaders and managed to score a try showcasing his quick feet beating a few defenders in the process.

Metres: 60

D. Beaten: 3

Breaks: 1

Carries: 6

Chay Fihaki

Chay Fihaki was one of the stand out performers in the Crusaders team scoring two tries and making 51 ball carrying metres in his 5 carries.

Metres: 51

D. Beaten: 1

Breaks: 1

Carries: 5

Damian McKenzie

Damian McKenzie displayed his class being a constant threat to the defence pulling the strings from 10 as well as putting other players into space from counter attack

Metres: 44

D. Beaten: 3

Breaks: 1

Carries: 6

Tom Christie

Last but not least, Crusaders tackle machine Tom Christie was in full force against the Chiefs making an outstanding 26 tackles.

Metres: 20

Carries: 5

Tackles: 26