The Crusaders drew first blood as prop Tamaiti Williams crashed over inside five minutes before the Chiefs settled into the contest and four Damian McKenzie penalties saw the league leaders enter half-time with a five-point lead.
Some magic from McKenzie then sparked the Chiefs’ attack into life as he sliced through the defence before linking with Shaun Stevenson who gave the final pass for Brodie Retallick to score.
The champions hit back with a penalty try as Luke Jacobson was sent to the sin bin for collapsing the maul before Fergus Burke crossed to give them a two-point lead.
But scores from Stevenson and Tyrone Thompson in the final 10 minutes secured the win as the Chiefs became the first side to do the double over the Crusaders since 2016.
Chiefs captain Sam Cane said: “Credit to our boys up front, they’ve been putting in a lot of work this season and to be able to use our scrum as a weapon was a massive part of us getting the job done tonight.”
The Hurricanes laid down a massive marker in their bid for a home quarter-final as they edged past the Brumbies 32-27 in a frantic affair.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 30, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin April 30, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
