Chiefs storm to Super title win

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

Pages: « 1 [2] 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 … 13 » Show All

  • 51.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:16 am

    @Boertjie-47: Is this Boertjie from RuggaWorld ?

  • 52.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:17 am

    @Treehugger-51: No, I’m sorry. Not met him.

  • 53.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:19 am

    @Boertjie-52: ok thanks

  • 54.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:21 am

    Go Sharks! Really strong lineup.

  • 55.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:21 am

    BIsmarks 100th SR match and it’s mcleods Birthday,

    GOOOOOOOO SHARKSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

  • 56.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:26 am

    More than ever….subs will play a HUGE role!!!

  • 57.IAAS: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:26 am

    Ashwin Willemse “Have to go with the Saarks.”

    I second that.

  • 58.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:26 am

    http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/65406/7/super-15-playoff-final-chiefs-vs-sharks-live-stream-online.html

  • 59.nkqo6: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:27 am

    As a crusaders supporter , am on that goooooooooooooo Waikato tip ya digg . Newzealand rugby boy , ya dig

  • 60.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:29 am

    @nkqo6-59: want a spade to dig??

  • 61.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:29 am

    @CoachPete-33:
    Well, the Sharks ARE better imo
    But flying 3 times crossing 9 time zones each flight is a killer, long flights by itself’s in low pressurised cabins slow down the recovery process of the forwards’ bodies, a factor we all tend to ignored
    It all adds up
    :(

  • 62.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:30 am

    Go Sharks!

  • 63.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:32 am

    It’s wet…hmm

  • 64.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:34 am

    I see the Chiefs cheer leaders are the sheep hurders?? :lol:

  • 65.Fern is not a stud,he is merely no19: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:35 am

    This weather will most prob nullify running rugby,should be a test like affair.Lets hope our frenchy radar is on with the drops.May the spirit of Lescaboura be with him.Bissy playing 100 games,sannie bin dollar playing his last…
    All set up
    Go
    the
    Black
    and
    Feckin
    White
    Dynamite
    BOOM!
    Naais

  • 66.Spiesisworthless1: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:37 am

    McLeod…

  • 67.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:38 am

    @sharks_lover-64: loll

  • 68.Guns: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:38 am

    SHAAAAARKSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! BIIIIG HITS BOYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 69.Guns: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:40 am

    Whaat a kick and tight hands by the boys! Hard hits!! Hope they can keep it up!!

  • 70.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:40 am

    Bressler put a huge one on Sony Bill

  • 71.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:41 am

    JP U Beauty! great kick!!!

  • 72.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:42 am

    First blood Sharkssssssssssssssssssssssss, let the feeding frenzy begin

  • 73.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:46 am

    so around the neck is allowed now

  • 74.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:46 am

    Morning duskys, hammerheads, baskings, great whites!

  • 75.Blue Label: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:47 am

    Does anyone have a live streaming site that actually works? In Belgium, and missing the game

  • 76.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:48 am

    @Treehugger-73: WTF…I know…how bad was that?

  • 77.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:49 am

    good tackling by the saaarks

  • 78.Michael: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:50 am

    @Blue Label-75:
    http://www.vipbox.tv/watch/65406/7/super-15-playoff-final-chiefs-vs-sharks-live-stream-online.html

  • 79.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:51 am

    Feckwit ofcourse he was trying to catch it

  • 80.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:52 am

    @Treehugger-79: Ja, ignore him. Kiwi commentator in a Kiwi final is alway going to be one-eyed.

  • 81.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    Great DEFENCE SHARKS!!!!

  • 82.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    These kiwi “commentators” make me larf.

  • 83.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:53 am

    Nvovo a bit lucky. Could have been a YC but not even a penalty

  • 84.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:54 am

    a Nice stroll in the park for the Beast so far :-D

  • 85.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:55 am

    @AiDoc-83: bullshit and you know it.

  • 86.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:55 am

    dammit.

  • 87.Stompie till I die!!!!: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    Lambie a liability!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 88.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    :sad: :sad: :sad:

  • 89.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:56 am

    SBW, beat 2 men and offload. Good try it has to be said.

  • 90.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:57 am

    Jannie should have made that tackle.

  • 91.AiDoc: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:57 am

    Shorks sarting to tire.

  • 92.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:57 am

    Chiefs players taking shark defenders out around the fringes at every breakdown.

    Does Walsh have the balls?

    He’s warned them once….

  • 93.Hondo: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:58 am

    Min 20
    Try Chiefs
    Series of missed/faked tackles by the Sharks’ backs

  • 94.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:59 am

    Lambie very shaky.

  • 95.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:59 am

    Warned them twice.

  • 96.Boertjie: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 09:59 am

    Retallick tackled Daniel as he went for the ball….WTF… are they playing….Gridion? No one else saw that?

  • 97.fantasticbarnsmell: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 10:00 am

    little errors costing us now…

  • 98.Treehugger: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 10:00 am

    lolololololl, hubby says these damn kiwis are blowing their noses on the ball thats why so many handling errors suddenly

  • 99.NZINCHINA: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 10:01 am

    The little lamb is having a shocker.

  • 100.stormerforlife1: Reply to this comment
    4 Aug 2012, 10:01 am

    Lambkins got no bmt.

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