On Friday evening at FMG Stadium Waikato, the Chiefs delivered a stunning 49-24 victory over the Crusaders, showcasing their dominance with a second-half surge filled with brilliant plays and tactical teamwork.
The match opened with excitement as the Chiefs began scoring swiftly. Winger Emoni Narawa kicked off the scoring with a quick tap just four minutes in, setting the stage for the home team. Following this, Damian McKenzie slotted a penalty to extend their lead to 10-0. But the Chiefs faced challenges early on as they dealt with injuries to key players. Their captain, Luke Jacobson, suffered a broken nose, and center Rameka Poihipi also had to leave the match after falling awkwardly.
The Crusaders took advantage of the situation, responding with some magic of their own. Kyle Preston, making his debut start, scored when he received the ball from Cullen Grace, making it four tries for him over two games. Shortly after, Ethan Blackadder capitalized on swift play from Sevu Reece, leveling the scores as James O’Connor entered the field and converted another penalty.
It was at this pivotal point, with the match tied, where Chiefs' coach Clayton McMillan made strategic changes, injecting fresh talent off the bench. This decision proved to be game-changing. Winger Leroy Carter ignited the second-half run for the Chiefs, scoring their next try and igniting the crowd. Following him, Samipeni Finau crossed the line, then Josh Jacomb, capitalizing on a break led by McKenzie.
Quinn Tupaea, celebrating his 50th game for the Chiefs, wasn’t to be left out of this scoring spree. He added two tries back-to-back, showcasing brilliant agility and power, all packed within just three minutes. Despite the Crusaders having Antonio Shalfoon score late, it was merely consolation as the Chiefs had already taken control of the match.
Post-match, Emoni Narawa expressed pride in the team's performance, highlighting the forwards’ effort and solid defense. “I’m pretty proud of our effort tonight,” he shared with Sky Sport. “Our defence was something to be proud of, and it was good to come away with a win.”
Addressing the first-half struggles, Narawa added, “We thought our discipline let us down. We were just trying to build momentum and it was good to come away with points.”
On his milestone, Quinn Tupaea commented, “I’m excited to celebrate my 50th game with two tries and help the team.” The victory sends the Chiefs to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific table momentarily, bringing momentum as they prepare for their upcoming clash against the Brumbies.
Meanwhile, the Crusaders will need to regroup during their bye week as they prepare to face the Queensland Reds. Their injuries and performance highlights areas requiring attention, particularly the need to tighten up discipline and ball security. The Chiefs' second-half brilliance overshadowed any Crusaders' momentum, and as they sit now, the Crusaders hope to heal and bounce back stronger for their next outing.