Crusaders back on top of Super Rugby Pacific

The Crusaders have emerged as champions once again, reclaiming the Super Rugby Pacific title after a close 16-12 victory against the Chiefs in Christchurch on Saturday.

The win marks their 15th championship, solidifying their dominance in the competition after winning five straight titles from 2017 to 2023.

Saturday's match showcased strong defence and front-row play from the Crusaders, who kept the Chiefs from scoring crucial points.

Crusaders' flyhalf Rivez Reihana played a key role, sealing the victory with a penalty kick in the 71st minute.

Playing in front of their home crowd, the Crusaders extended their impressive record to 32-0 in playoff matches at home, ending the game at Apollo Projects Stadium.

Unfortunately for the Chiefs, this is their third straight loss in the Super Rugby Finals, and they have now lost to the Crusaders twice in the past three years.

Naitoa Ah Kuoi, of the Chiefs, takes down lineout ball during the Super Rugby Pacific final played between the Crusaders and the Chiefs at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch on Saturday. Photo/Peter Meecham/Photosport

The game again brought heartbreak for the Waikato side, who had hoped to break their losing streak. The hosts started the match strong, going into halftime with a narrow one-point lead, 13-12.

Damian McKenzie’s missed conversion gave the Crusaders the advantage, which they would not let slip in the second half.

The last 40 minutes were tense, especially as Reihana's penalty with eight minutes left gave the Crusaders a four-point cushion and secured the win.

Sevu Reece and other Crusaders' players react to getting a penalty awarded to them in front of the posts by referee Angus Gardner during the Super Rugby Pacific final in Christchurch. Photo/Peter Meecham/Photosport

The Crusaders faced a challenge early on when their star player, David Havili, was penalised with a yellow card - sin-binned in the 12th minute - and had to leave the field temporarily.

Havili tackled Chiefs' winger Emoni Narawa high, and the visitors took advantage of his absence, with prop George Dyer scoring a try under the posts to take the lead.

But the Crusaders quickly responded with a try to hooker Codie Taylor down the blindside. From then, the hosts took control, steadily winning penalties that helped them dominate the game, especially in scrums.

"Where we were at the end of last year, the start of this year we had a mountain to climb," Crusaders' fullback Will Jordan, who won his seventh Super Rugby title, told a post-match interview.

"Everyone had to dig deep, and it hasn't been easy. This title is right up there for me; I just think it's even at the top."

The Chiefs had several opportunities but couldn't make them count. Both teams struggled to score, as the Crusaders' defence proved tough. But a penalty finally gave the home fans something to smile about, as their team was able to maintain its lead.

But it was their scrum that sealed the win, with a massive penalty extending the lead to four points.

The Chiefs fought hard to break through the Crusaders' defence but were ultimately unsuccessful.

Samipeni Finau, of the Chiefs, is tackled by Antonio Shalfoon, of the Crusaders, during the Super Rugby Pacific Final at Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch. Photo/John Davidson/Photosport

The defeat was a bitter blow for the Chiefs.

“It was a classic final, two great teams going at it and a small margin,” Chiefs' captain Luke Jacobson told the media. “The Crusaders did really well to win the halfway and play at the right end of the field.

“I felt we had some good attack when we got into their half, we put some good pressure on them, but we just didn’t play enough footy down there.”

With the win, the Crusaders celebrate their return to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific league, while the Chiefs must face another 12 months of a tough defeat.