Crusaders vs Chiefs

The Crusaders are leading 20-7 in a Super Rugby semi final tonight - can the Chiefs beat a side that has never lost a playoff game in Christchurch?

Join us from 7:05pm for live coverage of this semi-final clash.

Crusaders and Chiefs are all set to go against each other in Friday's Super Rugby semi-final. The match will be played at 10:05 a.m. (Moscow) time at the ...

The Crusaders have steadily progressed, and they should cross the finish line on their own turf. At home, the Crusaders have been formidable. The Waikato-based team triumphed 39-15. These victories came against the Rebels, the Force, and Drua. Crusaders and Chiefs are all set to go against each other in Friday’s Super Rugby semi-final. While the Saders' season hasn't been without challenges, they have won their last four games.

It is semifinals time in Super Rugby Pacific. Adrian Seconi has the oil. Crusaders v Chiefs. Record: Crusaders won 12, lost 3; Chiefs won 11, lost 4. Head ...

But the Chiefs will look to hold on to the ball for as long as possible, while the Crusaders will probe for opportunities out wide. History: The Blues are three-time champions (1996-97, 2003) but were rubbish for most of the past decade. The Chiefs’ greatest strength is a tight five that includes Brodie Retallick, Angus Ta’avao and Samisoni Taukei’aho. Statistical edge: The Blues have won 14 games on the trot and they lead the competition in tries (69) and clean breaks (93). The Brumbies have a more accurate lineout (86.7%), but are shaded in most of the key statistics. But Crusaders pair Will Jordan and Leicester Fainga’anuku have a competition-high 10 tries apiece, while Sevu Reece has made more clean breaks than anyone else and has dotted down nine times. Statistical edge: Both teams know their way to the tryline.

Ahead of the inaugural Super Rugby Pacific semi-finals, Planet Rugby previews the biggest talking points ahead of the action.

This aspect of the game is vital in determining the fine margins. Crusaders captain Scott Barrett has grown with leadership over the last couple of seasons and is an established All Black as one of the prominent names in coach Ian Foster’s squad. Tom Wright has been in ridiculous try-scoring form and is only one short of the leaders in the competition. Retallick’s nous at line-out time is supreme, but the vision and support play of the towering forward is what separates him from other second-rowers. Arguably one of the most valuable players in the competition this season, Perofeta has been excellent whether playing at fly-half or full-back. If the playmaker is to become an All Black, it is occasions such as this where he can lay his marker down further. The majority of the players in the matchday 23 have more than one Super Rugby title to their name, and that experience will be vital this weekend as the Chiefs look to upset the serial winners. Outside of him is the centre pairing of Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Rieko Ioane, who have grown with each game. It is crucial not to allow Mo’unga quality ball to work with; if the playmaker has the platform to play, the Crusaders will win. The full-back has an instinct for scoring that cannot be coached and is an attribute that sets him apart. Fly-half Bryn Gatland is the top points scorer and has enjoyed his best season to date, partly thanks to a flying Brad Webber, who is always a try threat whether sniping at the breakdown or superior support play. There are leaders everywhere in the Crusaders’ side, and this lays the platform for talented youngsters such as Will Jordan to showcase their skill-set.

Argentinian international was given his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards in the first half of the sudden-death clash against the Chiefs.

A beautiful mind crunching all the player stats. His second yellow, in the 32nd minute, was much more his own fault. You need journalists close enough to smell the liniment.

Injured prop Joe Moody surprised the team with the news at their weekly training on Wednesday evening - much to the side's excitement.

The Crusaders also gave away official merchandise to each of the players and tickets for them and their families and caregivers to attend the match afterwards. "Everyone's pretty stoked. "The hopes and dreams of these players are something we have to try make happen," Livingstone said.

The Crusaders have beaten an error-strewn Chiefs side in Christchurch to qualify for the Super Rugby Pacific final next week.

The Chiefs battled to the finish but were constantly repelled by the wall of red-and-black jerseys as the Crusaders stayed firm in an attritional second half to set up another championship match in a week’s time. While there was a regular sense of cynicism in the way in which they tackled and attacked the breakdown, it has to be acknowledged the tenacity with which the Crusaders defended as it proved to be the hallmark of their hard-earned victory. The Crusaders have beaten an error-strewn Chiefs side in Christchurch to qualify for the Super Rugby Pacific final next week.

Heading into their Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch, they needed to be at their best. The Crusaders had an immaculate 26-0 ...

Even when they conceded penalties, the Chiefs weren't able to use it to their advantage. After Mo'unga knocked through a couple of early penalties, the Crusaders only had a few attacking opportunities, but made them count. Heading into their Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Crusaders in Christchurch, they needed to be at their best.

The Crusaders' relentless defence has given coach Scott Robertson a ticket back to the Super Rugby finals for his 100th game in charge despite spending 30 ...

It was much the same for the second half as the Chiefs again set up camp inside the Crusaders' half but all the territory, possession and earned penalties meant nothing as they failed to find another hole in the armour. Add on top of that their approximate 20 minutes with 14 men on the pitch and it starts to become clear how gritty their defence was - and how frustrated the Chiefs were getting. Matera's first sin bin was the result of ill-discipline from the Crusaders inside their 22 as the Chiefs struggled to convert their territory into anything but a whistle blow from referee Nic Berry.

The Crusaders, who have reached their 16th final, will meet the winner of Saturday's Blues-Brumbies semi at Eden Park. Watch every game of the 2022 Super Rugby ...

Finals footy is about defence and there were plenty of good efforts there." "The process is wrong. The conditions were seriously tough. Damn, we should have scored more points and probably won the game. Matera was dropping, Tupaea had no time to change his height." "It's going to be tough to get over.

The Crusaders produced a rock solid defensive effort, including the highest tackle count in Super Rugby history, and overcame a red card to Pablo…

You saw the frustration on their faces and the reaction of the players. They had a 13-7 penalty advantage but failed to take any shots, and Tupaea blew a golden opportunity when his cutout pass sailed far into touch. Despite being a man down the Chiefs pinned the Crusaders defence in their own 22, having 100 percent possession for 12 minutes without scoring as the Crusaders put up a brick wall. Despite Matera’s absence the Crusaders stormed further ahead. Instead, the game took a dramatic shift. “The conditions were seriously tough. “You have to give credit to the Chiefs. They threw 120 percent at us. “That one will hurt., there will be a lot of regrets. Will Jordan’s chase was enough to wrap up Weber and force him back behind the try line and soon after the 5 metre scrum Cullen Grace reached out for the opening try. We were down to 14 men and we really had to front. That one will take some getting over.” When using Facebook to create or log in to an account, you need to grant The Roar permission to see your email address

Chiefs player ratings vs Crusaders | Super Rugby Pacific. By Jack O'Rourke. 5:42am, 10 June 2022. Josh ...

Split the defence in the second half with a nice goosestep In career-best form this season, but the Crusaders frustrated him with smothering defence and prevented him from breaking the line. Was lucky to escape with a yellow card as he hit Matera as the Argentinian was falling to the ground. Threw a few erratic passes to start the game and was kicking into the wind for the first half. Went off for an HIA in the first half and returned in the second. Found space in tight to crash over for the Chiefs’ first try. Was dangerous from the back of the scrum and carried 18 times for 36 metres. Was relied on to hit the ball up all night and get the Chiefs moving. Fell off a tackle against Will Jordan to open the game, but immediately made up for it by getting a turnover. Punched holes in the Crusaders defence all night, carrying 24 times for 48 metres. The Chiefs had a mighty task on their hands, aiming to beat the Crusaders at home in the finals for the very first time in the history of the competition. A man down, the Chiefs set up shop in the Crusaders 22 but couldn’t crack the defence despite Pablo Matera being sent off.

A commendable defensive effort from the Crusaders has seen them topple the Chiefs and draw one step closer to their 13th title.

Posed a threat with every touch, but was even more impactful on the flip side. Was only forced into making a handful of other defensive efforts as well as having quiet but effective contributions with the ball. Showed great speed off the mark before extending his inspector-gadget-like arm over for his first score and kept his torso warm on a chilly evening with a feast of collisions. It’s almost inevitable that when this guy gets a start he’ll have made the most use of shoulders in comparison to everyone else on the park. Did a great job of making life difficult for Brad Weber by harassing him at every chance while also nailing his core duties in less than desirable conditions. Sent to the naughty chair for repeated infringements in the 20th minute. It’d be remiss not to mention his security at all his other jumps, though, and the zero misses in 20 attempts on D. 23. George Bridge – 5 An instrumental performance from the skipper in what would have seen him under more stress than other weeks with Sam Whitelock’s late withdrawal. 9. Bryn Hall – 5 3. Oli Jager – 5 2. Codie Taylor – 5

Despite being a man down, the Crusaders have made the final after beating the Chiefs 20-7 in Christchurch tonight.