Fearsome Chiefs within reach of crown
27 Jul 2012
RYAN VREDE reports on a compelling semi-final in which the Chiefs explored new depths in their game to beat the fancied Crusaders 20-17 in Hamilton.
These teams produced an epic three weeks ago at this venue, and, fittingly, considering the magnitude of the occasion, elevated their games to deliver one of the tensest (most tense) semi-finals in Super Rugby history.
It lacked for nothing, not technical skill, tactical intelligence, brutality, breathless passages, breathtaking individual skills. Neither the intangibles, like inspiring resilience and the desperation that accompanies that a deeply-rooted desire for victory, reflected in the pursuit of attacking and defensive inches. Nothing. Ultimately the Chiefs were marginally better, but that’s all they needed to be.
The big name players had their moments, Cruden exhibiting once more that he is fast evolving into a flyhalf of the absolute highest quality, Williams showing his fire-proof temperament and McCaw valiantly attempting to rouse his men through deed and words. But tellingly the Crusaders’ fulcrum, Dan Carter, fell well short of his high standards, making fundamental errors and lacking presence. He can’t be blamed for the defeat, but his struggles undoubtedly contributed to it.
The Chiefs’ line speed, physicality and accuracy in defence rocked the Saders, who uncharacteristically made numerous handling errors and regularly made themselves vulnerable to being turned over by runners isolating themselves. The Saders were never allowed to settle into their pattern and were made to look decidedly ordinary for the bulk of the contest.
By contrast the Chiefs buzzed on attack for much of the first half and then sustained their defensive effort and discipline through the next 40. With regards to the former, their back division profited from the potency of the strike runners in their pack. Cruden and Carter traded penalties to get the scoreboard rolling, but Williams ignited the contest with a scything break in a move that culminated in prolific prop Sona Taumalolo burrowing over from close range. The Chiefs extended their lead in the 25th minute when Robbie Robinson blitzed the defence before Williams sniped around an unguarded ruck fringe to set up Liam Messam. Cruden converted for a comfortable 17-6 lead.
The match situation called for a rebuttal from the seven-time champions and it came just before the break, Ryan Crotty darting through a depleted defensive line to score. Carter missed the conversion but trailing by just six the Saders would have felt confident given their pedigree and superior experience.
The arm-wrestle continued after the restart, with neither side able to impose their will. Carter kicked two penalties to Cruden’s one, taking the match into the final quarter with the hosts ahead by three.
Understandably neither side were prepared to take risks with the stakes as high as they were, pragmatic play marking the closing stages. This of course was not uncharted territory for the Saders, but they were met by an irresistible force that absolutely refused to relinquish the inches the Saders sought, first to breach the tryline, then, in one final act of desperation, to set up Carter for the game-levelling drop-goal.
With every phase you could see the Chiefs’ resolve deepen. Not here. Not now. Smash. Get up. Smash. Get up. There are varying things in sport that inspire people. The determination the Chiefs showed in those dying minutes holds universal appeal. Every tackle drove the Saders further away from their goal until finally the ball was grassed under pressure.
Massive celebration. The kings are culled. The Chiefs now have to ensure they complete their ascent to the throne.
Follow Ryan on Twitter
Follow SA Rugby magazine on Twitter
518 Comments
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 » Show All
27 Jul 2012, 08:34 am
SAAAAAAAAAAAAAADERS !!!
27 Jul 2012, 08:34 am
Red & Black Dragons
27 Jul 2012, 08:37 am
Go Chiefs!!!!!!! (Seems no-one is giving them or the Stormers much chance)
27 Jul 2012, 08:40 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-3:
Only on here,which,with the greatest possible respect to their enthusiasm, is the lunatic fringe.
27 Jul 2012, 08:41 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-3:
Silly No-one…
GO CHIEFS!!!
27 Jul 2012, 08:42 am
@papashanga-4:
Bookies have Chiefs as rank outsiders…
27 Jul 2012, 08:43 am
Pedigree… Bloggers may support their teams and say Sharks will win… But every rugby site says the Stormers will win… So I guess they not giving the Sharks a chance…
27 Jul 2012, 08:44 am
@papashanga-4: The lunatic fringe
Must be said, watching Reunion, it seems the Kiwi experts are firmly on the Saders vs Sharks final bandwagon.
Even discussing the “final” in some depth…before a semi-final ball has been kicked
CHIEFS better ring those fecking cow bells – I will be willing them on with my mental powers.
Kerr Barlow to murder Saderfecks on the lunatic fringes
27 Jul 2012, 08:45 am
some reading to settle the nerves:
Wallaby utility back Kurtley Beale was granted bail on Tuesday to attend ‘mediation’, after appearing in court charged with common assault.
The Australian Rugby Union said in a statement that their disciplinary process would not begin until the legal process in court had played itself out.
The Melbourne Rebels star was involved in an altercation with a security guard after he and Wallaby teammate Quade Cooper were refused entry to a pub ahead of Australia’s first Test with Wales last month.
During a brief mention of the matter in the Brisbane Magistrates Court, Beale’s lawyer Angelo Venardos told the judge his client and the victim were attempting to resolve the matter out of court.
The hearing was adjourned until August 22 to allow this to happen.
However, the magistrate said if mediation was not successful, Beale would have to travel to Queensland to face any further court dates. Beale declined to speak to reporters outside court.
While Beale missed the first two Tests against Wales through injury, he was recalled for the third.
The ARU made it clear on Tuesday that they would not start disciplinary proceedings at this time.
“As stated previously an ARU disciplinary review procedure will not begin until the court process has been completed,” the statement said.
“No further comment will be made at this time.”
27 Jul 2012, 08:46 am
Nothing Els to drink
OPEN champion Ernie Els used to boast his private jet was carrying more booze than fuel — but not any more.
South African Els, once a hard drinker, was on the wagon for more than two months before his dramatic triumph at Royal Lytham on Sunday.
That finish, which saw Els finish his final round before rival Adam Scott crumbled out on the course, would have been enough to have anybody reaching for bottle.
But caddie Ricci Roberts, explained: “We were having dinner one night a couple of months ago when Ernie suddenly announced: ‘I’m not going to bother having a glass of wine tonight.’
“He said: ‘In fact I may not have a drink for a while — even if I never have another party night for the rest of my life, I still think I’ll be well ahead of the game.’
“And I haven’t seen him touch a drop since.
“Even when he was handed a glass of champagne after he won the Open, I didn’t see him take a single sip.
“I know he said he wants to meet Nelson Mandela again to share a drink from the claret jug, but there’s a good chance it might be filled with Diet Coke!
“I’m not saying the big man has gone soft — just that he’s become a little more sensible than the rest of us.”
Besides giving up the booze, Els has also claimed he will continue to travel on easyJet, after travelling to the Scottish Open on the budget airline.
Mind you, that can be taken with a pinch of salt because he is between personal jets at the moment, while debating which one to buy next.
But despite his love of the luxury lifestyle, there is no doubt he has re-dedicated himself to the game according to his coach, Claude Harmon.
He said: “No one seems to appreciate how hard Ernie has been working.
“When you consider he has a private jet — or will have again soon — all the money he could need, a son with autism and a family he adores, it would be easy to for him to walk away into the sunset.
“But the drive and the desire are as great as ever.
“He took a lot of encouragement from playing himself into contention at last month’s US Open, and that put him in great heart for Lytham. This won’t be Ernie’s last Major win, I’m sure of that.”
Els, 42, has also benefited from linking up with eye specialist Dr Sherylle Calder, who has worked with top sportsmen to improve their visual skills.
He said: “I’m working on some good stuff with Sherylle. She’s got me reading putts better, and getting her on the payroll was a great move.
“She wrote a computer programme called Eye Gym where you have to do certain reaction stuff.
“There will be rugby balls, cricket balls and soccer balls coming up on screen. There’s a little up and down arrow, so as this happens you have to react.
“Then there’s a number that appears for a split second which you have to remember and type in.
“I’m seeing things differently. You get your body in good shape and now I’m getting my eyes in good shape.”
The good doctor will certainly be pleased to hear Els is no longer bleary-eyed.
CADDIE Ricci Roberts was in no mood to join Ernie Els in a sober celebration.
Instead he led a noisy party that only ended when the police were called out at 4am.
Roberts is part-owner of a pub in Yorkshire and made sure it stayed open late after helping Els win the Open.
When the police arrived after complaints about the noise Roberts had the perfect excuse.
He said: “I pointed to a picture of Ernie and said, sorry officer, but we’ve just won the Claret Jug and it’s not something you stay quiet about. The police were cool about it.”
27 Jul 2012, 08:46 am
@THE MAULER-7: Did you watch Reunion? Sharks vs Saders final discussed in some detail
27 Jul 2012, 08:48 am
the lesser of two evils principle applies here
so will go with the chiefs for the win
just not that team
anyone but that team
they are a blight on rugby
27 Jul 2012, 08:50 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-8: the skinny goattee guy, not Lowe picked the chiefs, don’t think the saders are firm favourites at all, but they were keen for a Sharks win, not sure if just for a home final though…the astute female presenter did pick the Stormers but was out voted….
27 Jul 2012, 08:51 am
Pedigree lol… Yes but did you watch Boots? Or Superrugby? Or read the prediction thread from the keo brains? Or Rugby365? Or Supersport?
27 Jul 2012, 08:56 am
had a dream about this match, Cheifs kept scoring first and then Saders would reply with a try from the kick off, then 2 Chiefs players were yellow carded for dangerous play, basically Tameifuna upended Romana at the ruck and he did a 360 and landed on his head, then Retallick ran over the ruck and and did a swan dive in an attempt to charge down the kick from Ellis
27 Jul 2012, 08:58 am
@THE MAULER-14: Keo himself has tipped the Sharks, his minions have gone Stormers
:) 
And as we all know…the Kiwi experts are the ‘go to men’ in terms of rugby, not our lot, so the Kiwis tips carry more weight IMHO…They do dominate world rugby you know
@BuckT-13: Their Sharks praise singing would have had HG in tears, it was THAT good….(A lot of it fair praise as well, although it saddens me to say that)
27 Jul 2012, 09:04 am
The Mitchell Plain Maories must be licking their gums at the thought of the Crusaders or Chiefs playing at Newlands.
27 Jul 2012, 09:11 am
@scrumfan-17: A few of the Caped Crusaders are torn at the moment it seems. They are not sure whether to continue with their Stormers hate and will the Sharks to a win, OR to pray for a Stormers win, thereby guaranteeing a CT visit from a Kiwi team….
Decisions, decisions.
27 Jul 2012, 09:13 am
There are waaay more MountainSharks in Cape Town and at Newlands than there are StormerSaders…
27 Jul 2012, 09:13 am
I feel an impromptu haka coming on.
27 Jul 2012, 09:14 am
Classy scrumfan. Very classy comment.
27 Jul 2012, 09:14 am
Haha Pedigree I take what Keo says with a pinch of salt… He is a huge Stormer supporter and will always praise the other SA teams above them but secretly hoping the Stormers win…
27 Jul 2012, 09:16 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-16: you see they rate Keegan as the SA super 15 player of the season if not for the whole comp, i would say Marcel personally
27 Jul 2012, 09:16 am
@Dawn-21:
Indeed.
He’s a dental case.
27 Jul 2012, 09:18 am
@THE MAULER-14: something about that melodie keeps me rivetted to the screen, she’s so articulate…
27 Jul 2012, 09:19 am
@the artist formerly known as gunther-24:
nyukka nyukka
27 Jul 2012, 09:19 am
Transie
27 Jul 2012, 09:21 am
Has anyone found a decent strea ming link to the game?
27 Jul 2012, 09:24 am
strange how the people who complain about some capetonians supporting NZ teams… don’t live in cape town or supports the cape town teams…
27 Jul 2012, 09:24 am
@THE MAULER-22: Keo’s a self proclaimed Bulls fan, just ask Gunth, they are listed no 1 and 2 on the Cape Town Bulls supporters club fan list
27 Jul 2012, 09:26 am
@ufo-29:
Yes, funny that.
27 Jul 2012, 09:31 am
Bells were ringing like crazy in the UK to hail the Olympics this morning
Lets hope the cow bells will “ring” on the Chiefs too.
They might need more… but lets hope….
27 Jul 2012, 09:32 am
@stew-1: Chiefs are in for a pakslae this morning!
27 Jul 2012, 09:34 am
http://www.thefirstrow.eu/watch/132346/1/watch-chiefs-vs-crusaders.html
27 Jul 2012, 09:34 am
@ufo-29: There are just as many Bulls and Sharks supporting Capetonians as what there are Kiwi supporting Capetonians.
What the Caped Crusaders, Finned Sharks and Horned Bulls supporters down here all have in common, is an intense dislike for the Stormers and WP.
27 Jul 2012, 09:35 am
Anyone got a link for a live stream? Vipbox aint got shiiiit
27 Jul 2012, 09:36 am
anybody want some commentary?
27 Jul 2012, 09:36 am
27 Jul 2012, 09:37 am
penalty Chiefs, should be 3-0
27 Jul 2012, 09:38 am
on target by Cruden
27 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@BuckT-37: Can you do a believable Broz?
27 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
3 -0 chiefs, saders penalized for not rolling away in their 22, big surprise!
27 Jul 2012, 09:39 am
@sharks_lover-38: except keo & sharksworld…
27 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@sharks_lover-38: You have all the Springboks……I’m just being a realist (If the Boksharks want to beat the AB’s in the rugby championship, they better start off by beating the not deemed worthy to be Springboks Stormers – see?). The Kiwis are in awe of you lot. Absolute awe. It’s humbling.
GO CHIEFSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!
27 Jul 2012, 09:40 am
@37
Gooi BuckT…Im sitting at the doctor..hoping to get booked off so I can go to Newlands tommorow!
27 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
@>^..^< katman-41:
And it’s OVERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!!!
27 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
The Saders are going of their feet to protect their own ball, in that ruck and the previous two. Ref should pick that up!
27 Jul 2012, 09:41 am
ooh, some hands to the face there?
27 Jul 2012, 09:42 am
@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-35: “Finned” Sharks? Can’t we be the “sharp tooth” Sharks or “Predatory” Sharks? Grrrrr
27 Jul 2012, 09:42 am
@>^..^< katman-41: TRYYY TIMMEEE!! how’s that, just warming up though, no tries yet
Pages: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 » Show All
Have your say
You must be logged in to post a comment.