Fearsome Chiefs within reach of crown

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.

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518 Comments

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  • 101.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:12 am

    TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY

  • 102.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:13 am

    robinson brilliant break, good support, straight through for the try 17-6, go chiefs! no bias here

  • 103.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:13 am

    BHWAAAAAAAAA – Andy Ellis is kak. This is SCHWEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEET!

  • 104.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:14 am

    Saders out of sorts.

  • 105.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:14 am

    crusaders being put to the sword by the ottomans…!?

  • 106.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:15 am

    What a reply by the Chiefs after that soft srum penalty!!!!

  • 107.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:15 am

    So, looks like the Sharks will be playing the Chiefs. Time to start the cowbell acclimatization program.

  • 108.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:16 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-99:

    What is this tigers eye?

    Some sort of Vajazzle?

    If so send me a picture.

    Taumololo is like Doedpoes on Angel Dust.

  • 109.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:16 am

    Take note Stormers: penalties aren’t enough.

  • 110.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:16 am

    Mooooooooooooooooooo!
    Man its hard to win at rugby park when it’s knockout time

  • 111.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:17 am

    reechee looking worried, penalty saders, gone for lineout on 22, they drive up towards the line,some hand bags thrown lets see if kaplan spotted something

  • 112.Stawm: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:17 am

    Poor defense Saders!

  • 113.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:17 am

    Kaplan is feeling left out.

  • 114.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:18 am

    white card shown to chiefs lock

  • 115.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:18 am

    McCheat is sucking air big time. Seems like the extra game last week has taken it out of the Saders.

  • 116.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:18 am

    Salahuddin Williams leading the charge…

  • 117.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:19 am

    If this you are posting comments too quickly. Slow down appears again I’m gonna wach the Keotv team into next week…

    I guess the Saders can blame the travel if they lose… :roll:

    Go Chiefs…

  • 118.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:19 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-99:

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=1889054516964&set=a.1634935564149.2088400.1559513301&type=1&theater.

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=10151268571683852&set=p.10151268571683852&type=1&theater

    http://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?fbid=363262320411523&set=a.176047209133036.43698.174502055954218&type=1&theater

  • 119.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:20 am

    go saders!

    no wait, go chiefs!

    no wait, i dont give a toss.

  • 120.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:20 am

    @ufo-116:

    I see what you did there.

  • 121.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:20 am

    Saders getting smashed.

  • 122.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:21 am

    saders scrum in cheifs 22, chiefs steal it, kick through, push over, 5 meter scrum to chiefs

  • 123.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:21 am

    Well done Chiefs!!! Great defence!!!!!!! Fuuuuuuuuuukkkkkkkkkk you Keith Brown!!!!! What a BS call

    It was the right one though :-)

  • 124.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:21 am

    player was ahead of the kicker, penalty to saders on 10m line kick into chiefs 22, line out

  • 125.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:22 am

    haha, 5m scrum but the keith brown nob reckons ahead of the kicker.

    what a load of kuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuk!

  • 126.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:22 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.-103: Those links i posted, mostly have more then 1 picture of the Sharks and Stormers, just click on each pic

  • 127.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:22 am

    @rangerman-125: Mac how you doin?

  • 128.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:23 am

    try saders woohoo

  • 129.viewer: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:23 am

    Cruden error there. Shot out of the line

  • 130.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:23 am

    Stormers/Sharks wont be able to live with this pace next week.

  • 131.BuckT: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:24 am

    carter misses, 17 – 11 half time

  • 132.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:24 am

    More Israeli nonsense. I don;t know who did but white card him.

    Who is this Crotty guy?

  • 133.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:24 am

    @sharks_lover-126: Thanks! As soon as I have finished swearing at the Chiefs for that woeful defence, I will take a look.

  • 134.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:24 am

    Still posting too fast… :roll: Is no one else having the same problem?

  • 135.kaksioek: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:25 am

    @NZINCHINA-130: Sharks will beat the Chiefs next week.

  • 136.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:25 am

    Morning Muppets!!!

  • 137.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:25 am

    This should have been fixed last week. Posting comments too quickly indeed!

  • 138.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:26 am

    @Gumboots-134:

    No, you really are posting comments too quickly.

  • 139.ufo: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:26 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther-120:

    :wink:

  • 140.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:26 am

    @NZINCHINA-130:

    HAHAHAHHAAHHAHAHA Trolling again

    you must have a sad little life.

    Dammmmnnit…On half time, but judging by the first half, the Chiefs scrum is struggling a bit, but overall the Chiefs should win this by two scores. Last twenty it should be all Chiefs.

    Good miss DC!!!

  • 141.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:27 am

    @AiDoc-137:

    Ok – not just mine!

    @WP Till I Die-138:

    Oh! :lol:

  • 142.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:28 am

    Crusaders are like a champion boxer, absorbing the blows and out of nowhere they’ll sneak a po3sklap.

  • 143.Gumboots: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:30 am

    At work so I’m right to say the Chiefs are all over the Saders? Not?

  • 144.CenturionShark : Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:30 am

    @NZINCHINA-130:

    Lol, schoolboy rugby is also played at one hell of a pace.

    You play (to an extent of course) to the pace the aother team allows you too.

  • 145.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:31 am

    @NZINCHINA-130: Won’t need to China, just bust open the Chiefs/Saders forward pack and Bob’s our uncle!

  • 146.willievz: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:31 am

    Come on Chiefs, smoke these cheats

  • 147.Nils: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:32 am

    Whoever wins here, will win next weekend.

    And, dear Keo, are you really that poor to have a decent IT guy?

  • 148.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:32 am

    @Gumboots-141: You are posting comments too quickly. Slow down. (Just copied and pasted that…it is more irritating than Zac Guildford)

  • 149.Skeppie: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:32 am

    @wpstormerbok-142: Yeah I reckon in the 2nd half the Saders will come out firing

  • 150.Golden Boy: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 10:33 am

    @Gumboots-143:

    Chiefs are dominating the game. Breakdowns are a bit of a shambles with the Saders doing their usual obstructing and off their feet BS but the Chiefs are outwitting them in the backline play and the forwards are doing well, except in the scrum where the Saders are shading it.

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