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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  • 401.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:28 pm

    @TASSIES-397:
    I would normally run a mile, but as it is ours feel part of it!!

  • 402.TASSIES: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:29 pm

    @carol-398: Danny got that right. Now let the games begin I say. Enough of the foreplay.

  • 403.TASSIES: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:32 pm

    @carol-401: you have a right to. I just find this stuff tedious. Mrs loves it, as I guess most do. Aparently 60% of the planet. I’m the other 40.

  • 404.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:33 pm

    @TASSIES-402:

    Very special occasion for the beaming athletes but … but there are just too many countries… only at “B” mow- this is going to take ages.

  • 405.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:37 pm

    @TASSIES-403:
    Maybe time for you to do a good book! :-)

    I think you are ‘overtired’ !! lol

  • 406.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:38 pm

    @Robzim-404:
    Oh my goodness, look at the gingham kit.
    I may have to cast a vote for the worst atheletes outfits!

  • 407.munkiboi: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:38 pm

    was surprised at how bad the rugby was at times in this game. two top kiwi sides, i expected more of a spectacle. at the end it became a real grind.

  • 408.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:40 pm

    Think I might go and do my superBru…

    Stormers or Sharks?

    Indecision.

    I forgot to do todays match!

  • 409.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:43 pm

    @carol-406:

    Lol, yes, i saw that, it was a bit of an eyesore.
    My vote for the team with the prettiest girls so far goes to team Canada.

  • 410.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:45 pm

    @carol-408:

    Stormers by 7.
    Guaranteed.

  • 411.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:46 pm

    @Robzim-409:
    Why am I not surprised you are checking out the women? :shock:

  • 412.carol: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:47 pm

    @Robzim-410:
    I have actually done Stormers by 5!
    (Sorry Puma) !

  • 413.Robzim: Reply to this comment
    27 Jul 2012, 23:57 pm

    @carol-412:

    Good choice. They won’t let you down

    I cannot believe what I just saw.Eric the Eel is back at the olympics- this time as swimming COACH of the Equatorial Guinea swim team. Just wonderful!!

  • 414.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 00:44 am

    The Stormers are guaranteed to win now. Shoo-wee. Gonna be some smelly egg on some faces if this guarantee is made of tinfoil and not steel!

  • 415.nama1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 01:17 am

    @wooden spoon-414:
    …and you’re reason for saying that, is why exactly?

    Is it because YOU know that the Stormers WILL win and YOU are looking for excuses elsewhere?

    Stormers are going to win tomorrow.

    It will be just fitting that the no.1 and no.2 teams play against each other in the final. Don’t you think so?

    Imagine, the no.1 playing against the no. 6 to determine the champion of the S15.

    That would make a mockery of the conference system, don’t you think? :lol:

  • 416.nama1: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 01:22 am

    @carol-412:
    You DID not do them all, did you? :lol:

    By five (5), you say??? :lol:

    Hope that was after they tjaila’d.

    You must be one moeg girl after that!!! :wink:

  • 417.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 06:29 am

    Chiefs are in the final…… watched the game with my Dad and we were overjoyed to see the Crusaders go down and the Chiefs boys showing the Ab Captain no respect……..next week whoever they face are in for the game of their lives……..Chiefs are on the warpath.

  • 418.Te Rangatira: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 06:42 am

    @Te Rangatira-417:
    A trip to the hard firm grounds of Sa would be ideal to see what this Chief team can really do….otherwise Sharks are likely to be confronted with a mud bath.

  • 419.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 07:28 am

    Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme. Get on up, its feeding time!

    Go Sharkies!

  • 420.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 07:44 am

    @trupisero-419: :lol: nou so bek kort jam

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 421.trupisero: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 07:58 am

    @sharks_lover-420: Hahaha….fark its gonna be a long day today

  • 422.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 08:35 am

    @trupisero-421: tell me about it boet,

  • 423.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 08:43 am

    @Te Rangatira-418:
    At this time of the year, Cape Town has no hard fields. It’s in a winter rainfall zone. That’s why it’s called the Cape of Storms.

  • 424.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:05 am

    Cape of Stormers

  • 425.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:06 am

    Tjaark vang dag vandag

    Am licking my gums

  • 426.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:08 am

    As Scrumfan so eloquently put it yesterday.

  • 427.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:14 am

    @Dawn-424:
    What happened to your transfer of loyalty to the Bulls? :lol:

  • 428.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:23 am

    They lost!

    I like the way certain sharks fans have been talking up the stormers the whole week long.

  • 429.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:24 am

    @David-427: :lol: david,

  • 430.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:25 am

    @Dawn-428: Has it only been Sharks fans talking up their team??? :lol: onthou altyd om met altwee oe te lees :wink:

  • 431.WP Till I Die: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:25 am

    @David-427:

    Free agent.

  • 432.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:27 am

    GOOOO SHARKSSSSSSSSSSS please prove the Bookies and the naysayers wrong and do as expected the impossible,

    :roll: oh hell i am trying to be possitive here but it’s damn hard when one looks at the total situation

  • 433.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:28 am

    @WP Till I Die-431: Bloody aaaagent

  • 434.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:29 am

    Atually the blog is way dead considering such a huge match today???

  • 435.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:31 am

    @David-423: you going to the match??

  • 436.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:33 am

    I lees with both eyes.

    You’ve been doing it, dusky, and wodden spoon.

    I will be reporting on the match from the street corner, dressed in my hag getup, trying to score.

  • 437.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:35 am

    @sharks_lover-435:
    Wish I could, but I’m in Joburg. :evil:

  • 438.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:37 am

    When do the swimming heats start at the olympics.

    I want to see some bods in pools.

  • 439.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:37 am

    @Dawn-436: Wrong i have not, but ur welcome to do a transie on us and copy and paste these so called braggings

    I have said from getgo Stormers are the favourites and have everything going for them, and like i said?? rightfully so

    WS yes HG yes Fern yes Dusky? i aint sure? Kaksioek? yes they have been bragging, but i would love to see where i have been bragging?? I have said we can win,We playing in the match aint we??

    But what ever floats ur boat?

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 440.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:38 am

    Wiki!

    You up for some pay-by-the-hour?

  • 441.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:39 am

    @David-437: Bad luck old chap
    i am off to the air[port in a few to pick up some mates( sharks supporters), we off to BOOLANDS LATER ON :lol:

  • 442.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:41 am

    @Dawn-438: The swimming heats start around 10.55 on various channels

  • 443.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:42 am

    @Dawn-440: To be more exact

    http://www.supersport.com/aa.aspx?t=sport&v=Aquatics&view=full

  • 444.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:43 am

    Aaah yes.

    My favourite.

    Swimmers have great bods.

  • 445.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:44 am

    @sharks_lover-441:
    That’s a lot of money and effort to expend on a dead cause. :lol:

  • 446.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:45 am

    @David-445: :roll: WHATEVER :lol:

  • 447.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:47 am

    @David-445: And then why you to scared to spend money knowing victory is a certainty and miss out on thefun?? live?? :shock: :lol:

  • 448.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:48 am

    oh well time to run, take care everyone, and may the best team win

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
    SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 449.David: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:49 am

    @sharks_lover-447:
    Can’t afford two trips. I’ll rather go to the final at Newlands. :lol:

  • 450.wooden spoon: Reply to this comment
    28 Jul 2012, 09:56 am

    Lol. People put a great deal of stock into what some fans say on Keo.

    As if this has a magical effect on the players and the game…..

    Say what you got to say.

    Sharks will cream the Stormers.

    There, see? Feel better now?

    I bet these lotto numbers are going to come up, 12, 34, 42….

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