Scott Robertson’s elevation to the All Blacks, and that of his trusted assistant Scott Hansen along with the influential exits of Richie Mo’unga, Sam Whitelock, Leicester Fainga’anuku and Jack Goodhue, undoubtedly marked a shifting of the Super Rugby landscape.
As the Chiefs produced a supremely dominant first half to score three tries and lead 27-10 at the break, the Crusaders dynasty seemed to screech to a shuddering halt.
Overthrown lineouts on their own line, errors in contact, fumbles attempting to clear. Such costly, uncharacteristic mistakes are distinctly foreign to the Crusaders.
Anoint the Chiefs title favourites then and there. Only, not quite so fast.
The Crusaders regained the lead with a 19-point second-half swing. Few saw that coming.
Sevu Reece of the Crusaders scores a try during the round-one Super Rugby Pacific match between the Chiefs and Crusaders at FMG Stadium Waikato. Photo / Getty Images
After a challenging start attempting to fill Mo’unga’s void, Rivez Reihana bounced back immediately after the break to help send Chay Fihaki over for the first of his brace and pull off a 50-22 kick that sparked Scott Barrett’s strike.
Suddenly the Chiefs were scrambling, with halfback Cortez Ratima holding up impressive replacement Crusaders lock Jamie Hannah in a match-winning defensive effort.
Losing Damian McKenzie to a leg injury - in a match of constant casualties - straight after halftime significantly stunted the Chiefs, with Josh Ioane not offering anywhere near the same accuracy or control from first receiver.
The Chiefs, stunned by the Crusaders after halftime, eventually regrouped when it mattered most but the fact they were pushed to the brink by the undermanned visitors suggests this season will be gripping at the top end of the spectrum.
Maybe next time more than 16,119 will flood through the gates.
For the Chiefs, this hard-fought, patchy victory via two late Ioane penalties wasn’t revenge for losing last year’s final to the Crusaders at this venue. Only a title can ease that lingering pain.
Led by Clayton McMillan, the Chiefs’ settled coaching team had ample time to plot a plan to rectify falling at the final hurdle. This was a start. Nothing more. Their scrappy second-half effort signals they have much work to do.
It’s clear though that with their best team on the park, All Blacks lock Tupou Vaa’i leading the charge up front, powerful loose forwards Luke Jacobson and Samipeni Finau laying on crunching hits and McKenzie sparking counter-attacks, they possess championship qualities.
The Crusaders’ unrivalled title run could well end at seven in as many years but no one can deny their hallmark resilience remains. They will surely improve from here, too.
At this premature stage in the season, with All Blacks David Havili, Ethan Blackadder and Fletcher Newell yet to rejoin the Crusaders and Josh Lord and Emoni Narawa to return for the Chiefs in the coming weeks, it’s best to keep the powder dry on big bold predictions.
It would, however, be a major surprise if these teams don’t again go close to contesting this year’s finale.
In a brutal contest, both coaches were left to count the cost. The Crusaders lost All Blacks prop Tamaiti Williams after his charge nine minutes in.
As well as McKenzie, the Chiefs will be sweating on Quinn Tupaea’s head knock.
Willliams’ and Reihana’s late exits add to a hefty injury toll for the Crusaders that already includes losing All Blacks fullback Will Jordan and Braydon Ennor for the season.
