Very impressive first half from the Chiefs backs. Ratima pretty good. McKenzie pulling the strings very nicely, putting people in space and both short and high kicks were on point - and Tupaea and Foketi, LCF, Hutchinson and Taumoefolau all good too - just carved them to pieces.
Up front Vaa'i and Samisoni and Lord all good, and I think Norris secured his AB squad ticket.
For the Crusaders, Taylor and Blackadder made a lot of tackles, and Kemara continues to develop. Their other backs were really not good at all, bench included. Preston's decisions on when to kick and execution were poor.

Gardner was generally good, but what the fuck was that non yellow card 'because it's a scrum penalty'?

2nd half a bit of a sloppy mess all around with the score and the injury subs. Good to see Carter running around again, bad miss on Havili for his try though.

Assuming the Canes will dispose of the Blues pretty easily, it's looking like a tasty final.

@Steven-Harris said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. Always thought it might be a bridge to far without the likes of Jordon ,Williams and Barrett
Those first few handling errors set the tone unfortunately
I do wonder if all those recent home derbys without rotation eventually took its toll

Although the Chiefs were pretty ruthless both sides of the ball
Sorry to see the likes of Sevu Reece leaving NZ rugby will give the man his dues he always gives 110% for the Crusaders
His skill level and footwork at times is outrageous

Congrats to D Mac on 150 x games

Yeah - I thought we were a chance, but wasn't really expecting a win. The drubbing that we got dished in the first half was a bit of a nasty surprise, but that sometimes happens when everything runs for one team and not much does for the other. Most of the bounces of the ball went the Chiefs way and they executed ruthlessly. I think the score more reflected how good they were rather than us being particularly bad - though the tackle Ennor missed to concede the third or fourth try was a shocker. Think we also missed McLeod, which is something I didn't expect to be typing.

Yeah - Sevu gets a bit of a bum rap on here, but it's not his fault he's not quite an elite international wing. He's pretty much been consistently top 3 in NZ Super rugby for the past half dozen years.

@Chris-B. said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

Yeah - Sevu gets a bit of a bum rap on here, but it's not his fault he's not quite an elite international wing. He's pretty much been consistently top 3 in NZ Super rugby for the past half dozen years.

In physics he's known as the Anti-Ma'a.

Now that the fizz has subdued, I’m a bit worried for next week and the injuries we sustained? I’m really hoping at least a couple of those that came off will play

Crusaders coach Rob Penney provided an update on Fainga'anuku's injury post-match.

"He got sort of hip-dropped, one of the boys fell down on the back of his ankle which caused a high-ankle sprain, which is what I think it is at this stage,'' Penney said.

"Pretty sore, yeah.''

@antipodean said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

Yeah - Sevu gets a bit of a bum rap on here, but it's not his fault he's not quite an elite international wing. He's pretty much been consistently top 3 in NZ Super rugby for the past half dozen years.

In physics he's known as the Anti-Ma'a.

He gets a rap for being a poor human being. Nothing bum about it.

@Chris-B. Your last coms re Sevu are spot on
I bēlieve he was a 10 at school boy level ?

@Jnr said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@antipodean said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

Yeah - Sevu gets a bit of a bum rap on here, but it's not his fault he's not quite an elite international wing. He's pretty much been consistently top 3 in NZ Super rugby for the past half dozen years.

In physics he's known as the Anti-Ma'a.

He gets a rap for being a poor human being. Nothing bum about it.

I think you're missing both my point and the joke.

@antipodean time for a young wing like Springer to have an extended go in the wing position. Sevu has been a servant though and we wish him all the best.

@Rugbyman said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@antipodean time for a young wing like Springer to have an extended go in the wing position. Sevu has been a servant though and we wish him all the best.

Maloni Kunawave maybe the better long term bet he has speed Fast feet only 20 ,I would like to see Malone get some game time.

Reece at his peak over the past 6-8 years or (excluding the last 2 particularly at Int level) was quality at both levels, had a.great ability to read the game.to make.up for his lack of top end pace, coupled.with an excellent work rate.

@Steven-Harris said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

@Chris-B. Your last coms re Sevu are spot on
I bēlieve he was a 10 at school boy level ?

Not at Hamilton BHS. He played mainly in the midfield.

@taniwharugby said in SF: Chiefs v Crusaders:

Reece at his peak over the past 6-8 years or (excluding the last 2 particularly at Int level) was quality at both levels, had a.great ability to read the game.to make.up for his lack of top end pace, coupled.with an excellent work rate.

That super rugby try scoring record he has set is going to be hard to break.