The China Mail - Crusaders out-muscle Chiefs to clinch 15th Super Rugby crown

The home side were out-scored two tries to one in Christchurch but 11 points from the boot of fly-half Rivez Reihana proved decisive in a brutal contest dominated by defence.

The Crusaders played no-frills rugby to extend their perfect record to 32 wins in home play-off matches since the competition began in 1996.

The Chiefs finished runners-up for a third successive season, matching the unwanted record of South Africa's Lions from 2016-18.

The result was a remarkable turnaround for Crusaders coach Rob Penney after his side failed to reach the play-offs last year.

He steered his side to victory in 10 of their last 11 games of the season.

Their 15 titles is 11 more than any other team, although two of them were won during the Covid-19 pandemic, when regional competitions were contested.

Ahead 13-12 at the interval, Reihana's third penalty was the only score in a second half largely dominated by the Crusaders.

They kept the game tight, relying on their trademark forward power that included a muscular scrum.

It was enough to suffocate a Chiefs side laden with match-winners who had beaten the Crusaders in their two previous matches this season.

The Chiefs struck first through a try to prop George Dyer after the Crusaders were reduced to 14 men with captain David Havili shown a yellow card for a high tackle.

The home side levelled when Havili returned through a clever try to hooker Codie Taylor, who burst 20 metres down the blindside of a maul to score in the left corner.

Reihana landed the sideline conversion and kicked two penalties in quick succession to put the Crusaders six points clear.

The Chiefs closed to within one before the interval when fullback Shaun Stevenson crossed out wide off a long pass from lock Tupou Vaa'i.

Errors crept into the Chiefs game as the pressure mounted and they spent much of the second half defending in their own territory.

The match was the last in charge for coach Clayton McMillan, who was unable to end a Chiefs trophy drought dating back to 2013.

McMillan takes over as head coach at Irish club Munster later this year.

C.Fong--ThChM