Chiefs storm to Super title win
4 Aug 2012
JON CARDINELLI watched the Chiefs deliver a masterclass in power and composure to crush the Sharks 37-6 in Saturday’s Super Rugby final.
Some will list travel fatigue as decisive. Some will complain that referee Steve Walsh was too lenient on the hosts. Some might say the clamour of cowbells and the driving rain made for a perfect storm of pressure that squeezed the fight out of the Sharks.
But the external factors were never decisive.
The Chiefs rocked up in rampant mood. Their forwards absorbed the early pressure, and their inside backs played outstanding finals football. They ran away with the game in the second half, but the result was secured in the first.
The Sharks needed to bank early points if they were ever going to win this final. Their forwards clattered into the collisions during a bruising first quarter and their line speed on defence kept the Chiefs on the back foot.
But a three-point return during that period was never going to be enough. They coughed up too much possession on attack, and it was a series of missed opportunities early in the piece that they were made to regret.
The Chiefs’ performance in that first half highlighted the tactical nous of the coaching staff, as well as the efficiency of the team’s key decision makers. They played for territory but they also kept the Sharks’ defence guessing with a series of grubbers and chip kicks.
It was a deft nudge by Aaron Cruden that sparked the Chiefs’ first try. Sharks fullback Pat Lambie was caught in two minds, and in the end he made the wrong decision in allowing Cruden’s chip kick to bounce.
The Chiefs, as they have done all season and managed to do on several occasions during this final, chased well and forced the breakdown turnover. From here, the Sharks’ defence was compromised, and centre Sonny Bill Williams took full advantage, breaking two tackles to take play up to the opposition 22.
From there the ball flew out to the left where it was Chiefs backs versus Sharks forwards. Tim Nanai-Williams obliged with a score that spelled trouble for the Sharks, even at that early stage.
For all the talk of fatigue, the Sharks’ intensity at the collisions never seemed to flag. And yet, they struggled to adapt to Walsh’s calls at the breakdown.
Their defensive work was outstanding for the most part, but they made some poor decisions with ball in hand and failed to stretch the Chiefs’ defence.
Their set piece was expected to rattle that of the Chiefs, but the hosts overcame some early lineout wobbles to compete strongly and force several turnovers of their own.
The Sharks also struggled to win set-piece possession in the Chiefs half, and were completely outplayed in the battle for territory. The Chiefs peppered the Sharks in the first half, and the pressure told.
Cruden, who would miss a couple of goal kicks later in the game, was accurate in front of poles during those first 40 minutes. It allowed the Chiefs to build a commanding lead, and before the Sharks knew it, they were 13-3 down.
It was a massive deficit considering the conditions. It was a gap they were never going to close with the Chiefs dominating the collisions and winning the kicking game.
The Sharks suffered a further setback when Kane Thompson crashed over from a five-metre scrum early in the second half. At 20-3, the visitors were dead and buried.
They attempted to play more expansively in an effort to close the gap but, as the final scoreline suggests, this only played into the Chiefs’ hands. The Waikato outfit fed off the Sharks’ errors and scored two more tries.
The performance was emphatic, and the victory well deserved. The Chiefs have played some brilliant rugby at times this season, but they have also shown themselves to be one of the best defensive teams.
The tactical excellence of their halfback pairing hasn’t received enough credit, and Cruden and Tawera Kerr-Barlow certainly played a decisive role in winning this final.
It’s an embarrassing end for the Sharks, who have also produced some encouraging and balanced performances in 2012. In the end, they will lament the early season failures that forced them to travel so extensively in the play-offs.
The Chiefs are the Super Rugby champions for the first time in the competition’s history. They are worthy of the title. They won the New Zealand conference. They won the right to host a semi-final and, thanks to the Stormers’ home defeat, a final.
Their consistency allowed them to do so, and it was also a consistent performance that allowed them to beat the Sharks in the decider.
603 Comments
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4 Aug 2012, 14:52 pm
@greatest13gerber-494:
Wie luister vir jou.
You too are “overrated”.
4 Aug 2012, 14:52 pm
Oh and Spooner. Are you really trying to hide behind a new nic? Hahahaha. Just face the music.
4 Aug 2012, 14:52 pm
@rangerman-485: Hiyas Ranger,
Yeah no complaints mate, Chiefs were brilliant on the day and won with fantastic rugga, Just sad to see some Sharks supporters acting all stupid and wanting Plum fired again
We all expected this as its common knowledge how travel effects the body and mind,
Fact is chiefs did their homework and played it to perfection, CHIEFS TRUE CHAMPS FOR 2012
Our boys did us very proud and achieveing way above expectations. Good on them
4 Aug 2012, 14:54 pm
@rossoneri-502: @rossoneri-502:
Come now “rosso”, all that glitters is not gold as it could be simply broken glass. It glitters too in the sunlight.
4 Aug 2012, 14:54 pm
@rossoneri-489: Yip – unfortunately Plum came up real short in the tactics department. When the team was announced I thought he was up to his usual tricks but when the team ran out as is, I expected trouble. First mistake – I think 12. Lambie, 13. Jordaan, 14. JP and 15 Ludik would have been much better. Second mistake – when the plan was clearly just to kick at the Chiefs and hope for the best.
Sharks were competitive for about 20 minutes, and then just lost all belief in themselves. After that everything went downhill for them – set piece, defense, the works. Unfortunately when SA teams are up against it, they just go back in their shells and rely on kick and hope tactics.
4 Aug 2012, 14:58 pm
@rossoneri-499: You are right on both counts. But your support of your ‘beloved’ Crusaders says more about you I believe. We see many on the Railway stand at Newlands and the impression created is not conducive to nation building. Apartheid was buried 18 years ago and I have to believe that an outstanding player and person like Gio Aplon would be a tad disappointed were his neighbour to support a non-South African side playing against his team. He’s only human.
4 Aug 2012, 14:58 pm
Spooner obviously took on the suggested nic to show how silly and stupid all this guessing is.
4 Aug 2012, 15:02 pm
Ennis has the gold in her pocket for GB in the heptathlon, surely?
4 Aug 2012, 15:07 pm
@TASSIES-506:
( Apartheid was buried 18 years ago .. )
Does lying come so easily? Then explain those guilty in the Boeremag treason trial.
4 Aug 2012, 15:11 pm
Tassies. You dont know me so stop making assumptions. Ive never been to Newlands in my life and I dont know Gio Aplon. There are 15 teams in this comp to support. You chose one and I chose one. Nothing to do with apartheid so I dont get how you bring that into it.
4 Aug 2012, 15:12 pm
@TASSIES-506:
What the heck?
Time to log before things start to get messy.
One thing though, i am sure Aplon does not care while driving his Merc in his flash suit.
Dont see him giving to the poor do you?
4 Aug 2012, 15:15 pm
Well done Chiefs.
Hard luck Sharks. One journey just too far. Still really proud of my boys for making it to the final as they did. Hoping no injuries to any of the SharkBoks they will need the whole of next week off for rest.
4 Aug 2012, 15:17 pm
I suspect Tassies never chose his team but we know why you “chose” your team Your Royal Rossyness because you told us why before, when you used to be so angry back then! apartheid is long gone Rossy, time to bury the hatchet and get behind your nation.
4 Aug 2012, 15:18 pm
@TASSIES-506:
Was “nation building” not an option before 1994 and if so why was it dead and “buried” by you?
Not too bright are you?
4 Aug 2012, 15:19 pm
@TASSIES-493: Good post Tassies. Agree totally.
4 Aug 2012, 15:20 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-513:
Boeremag treason trial? Not harking to apartheid? Guilty just in this week.
4 Aug 2012, 15:22 pm
@spooner-516: there are fringe lunatic elements in every country in the world and they don’t speak or demonstrate the minds of the masses. if you believe they do then you are just a tad naive or even immature in your outlook.
4 Aug 2012, 15:23 pm
Tassies see how stupid your cheap shots are?
Please all just bring it back to sports; rugby and Olympics. That man is drunk.
4 Aug 2012, 15:27 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-517:
You can believe that “fringe”, most don’t. And some of you say things like Burton was on the bench for non rugby reasons. Is that not a racist call?
4 Aug 2012, 15:31 pm
@Puma-515:
So you agree with too much travel and the ref being on the Chiefs side?
Isnt it fair if a team does better in the comp that they get a favourable draw in the latter stages?
If a team loses 6 games out of 16 and comes 6th, do you think they shouldnt have to travel to play against teams that ended higher than them?
Fact is at the start of the tournament everyone new what the problems were if you finished that low down. The problem here it was a South African team and not a Kiwi or Ozzie team….that is the only problem.
4 Aug 2012, 15:34 pm
The Sharks were truly sh*t.
NZ rugby players are just better. Simple.
Sharks had to resort to their normal cheating to stay in touch, constantly infringing and never ever onside. And what happened to the Banana Boys being able to play with a slippery ball ?! Lambie would struggle to catch a cold, is he really International level ?! And Tameifuna buckled the ‘Beast’ just for fun, lovely to watch.
Just a shame another Kiwi side didnt make the Final, would have made it a better spectacle.
Let them find a way of blaming the ref after a 31-pt drubbing, because they surely will.
4 Aug 2012, 15:35 pm
Yep. Definitely Spooner. God youre a coward. I dont give a fark what you think. I hate your piece of **** Sharks and I am celebrating their loss with glee not because I have issues with the team. People like you are the reason.
4 Aug 2012, 15:35 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-517:
You have to be the biggest loser ever on Keo! Really embarassing immature and lonely sole.
Your team lost – get over it. It is only a sport and won’t affect your life.
Like some other Shark supporter said earlier – grow up and stop being such a loser.
4 Aug 2012, 15:36 pm
@munkiboi-449:
You know you are talking kuk boi. Consistenceey counts for fukall if you have no BMT come play-off time. 2-15 is for losers. But I suppose if your team has not won anything in a decade, you are bound to clucth at any straw.
Was not even interested in todays game…..if not the Bulls anyone but the Stormers.
And the Sharks put paid to any hope the pretenders had last week.
So yeah, the Sharks were the best SA team, but it still counts fukall.
4 Aug 2012, 15:37 pm
@rossoneri-522:
Hey there you racist piece of excrement. Go wash dishes or something…
4 Aug 2012, 15:38 pm
@Xkreni-WP-524:
Go write you c rap on voelmyhoring.com. Never read such rubbish in my life…
4 Aug 2012, 15:39 pm
@Hurricane-520:
Correct the Sharks snuck into the playoffs so traveling was their own doing, this Chiefs side could have travelled to SA and beaten all of their sides in the playoffs. SA is going to struggle in the RC.
4 Aug 2012, 15:41 pm
hehehehe Rossy shows her true, racist, views! always knew she had it in her! @Gumboots-523: hehehehe and the Sharks walloped the Stormers so you have no bragging rights!
4 Aug 2012, 15:44 pm
Well with Woodenspoon and Xkreni on the blog the thread has gone to **** as usual. CONGRATS CHIEFS! You made my day. Good bye Hurricane. Have a good one.
4 Aug 2012, 15:44 pm
@Wing Commander Raymond-528:
The only team with bragging rights is the Chiefs! Put your pride in your pocket and get over it. As I said it is only a game. A game in which your team were thumped. The Stormers never played today – your team did! I doubt they lost by 30+ points though…
4 Aug 2012, 15:45 pm
@rossoneri-529:
Howzit Lil! Yeah poor losers indeed…
4 Aug 2012, 15:47 pm
Sharks never had a chance with their fatigue, jetlag and their bio rhythmic, their bodied never recovered from the Reds and the Stormers encounters yet.
They should have sent their under 21 team in protest of the unfair, atrocious travel itinerary, in shot it was a non event.
The Chiefs were kind enough NOT to run up the score and Walsh made sure not to upset the odds makers.
4 Aug 2012, 15:47 pm
hehehehe I’m suprised stormers fans even have the gall to comment on the result today, they should still be out hiding in the hills after that hiding their team got 7 days ago hehehehe!
see you later racist cow! hehehehe!
4 Aug 2012, 15:47 pm
Another hollow victory for the Kiwis.
4 Aug 2012, 15:48 pm
Youre right Gumboots. They are very sore losers.
4 Aug 2012, 15:49 pm
@YoMama-534:
NZ has 11 titles to your 3, pretty conclusive I would have thought.
4 Aug 2012, 15:50 pm
i would just like to congratulate the Sharks for being good enough to make the final and in the process earn the right to be called the best SA team of 2012! well done team!
4 Aug 2012, 15:52 pm
@spooner-509: I’ll try to explain: ‘Apartheid’ as an institution/concept died 18 years ago. People’s racist prejudices live on and sadly, probably for ever. I simply don’t enjoy it. do you?
4 Aug 2012, 15:54 pm
So glad the chiefs won!! I cant support a team who HAS to play 4 or so quotas… Chiefs did it for all afrikaners and all boers killed in genoicide…. Thx chiefs!!
4 Aug 2012, 15:55 pm
@The Donkeys Egg-521: you should adjust the second part of your nik to ****, prik.
4 Aug 2012, 15:55 pm
Yellow
Red
and
Black dynamite
B O O O O O O O O O O O O O O O M !
4 Aug 2012, 16:00 pm
Spooner:You can hide behind a new nick but you can never run away from this moerse peosklap the Sharks received this morning.
4 Aug 2012, 16:01 pm
@YoMama-534:
And yet another no victory for South Africa.
@rossoneri-529:
Bye and enjoy the rest of your day.
4 Aug 2012, 16:03 pm
@grant10-539:
Chiefs say pi$$ off and stick your thanks up your a$$, two faced rat.
4 Aug 2012, 16:06 pm
@Hurricane-544:
Well said! Jeez you get losers everywhere… Just so embarassing to the decent SAFFAS…
Well done to all in NZ… Chiefs are worthy winners…
4 Aug 2012, 16:16 pm
Poor loser mentality very evident on this blog today.Nothing against Sharks people but they knew what was coming their way if they were not successful today.Take it on the chin lads.Wooden spoon,last week,mockingly said he is not interested in winning conference titles,but that special teams like his Sharks only play for the real thing.Remember that Spooner??
4 Aug 2012, 16:20 pm
@stormerforlife1-546: They are bleak, because deep down they know the Stormers would have buried the Chiefs and in effect let down South African rugby.
4 Aug 2012, 16:20 pm
Hurricane, that prop cannibal who stood with the panga after the game is the only one who needs a boereklap…. The rest all played for the boers who are murdered in sa….
4 Aug 2012, 16:21 pm
Well the way in which some went about celebrating victory last week, should have given all on here warning of just what type of ‘losers’ they would be as well.
Kak winners, Kak losers….
Where is the Boom brigade? (Then again, they were sort of correct, 37-6 is a BOOM, shock and fuckingawe)
At least Stormer fans stuck around to take the interweb beatdowns. The Sharks fans (like their team) seem to be incapable of sticking around for the REAL challenges….(But make a helluva lot of noise in the build ups, just before they go missing)
Very disappointing.
The Chiefs deserved the title – The End.
4 Aug 2012, 16:24 pm
Take a look guys,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PZ2Cowq50Nw
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