Why Crusaders have edge over Chiefs in final

In all its match-ups this season, the Chiefs have lost just once.

Yet, the Crusaders are being tipped to topple the hosts of this year’s Super Rugby Pacific final.

Former Wallabies James Horwill and Stephen Hoiles have backed the Scott Robertson-led team to beat Clayton McMillan’s men in Hamilton.

Watch the 2023 Super Rugby Pacific season on the home of rugby, Stan Sport. All matches streaming ad free, live and on demand

From 14 regular season rounds, the Crusaders lost four matches – twice to the Chiefs, and once each to the Fijian Drua and Hurricanes.

The Chiefs, meanwhile, only succumbed to the Reds in a thrilling three-point loss.

It’s been an intriguing finals series to date. The Chiefs faced the Reds in a close contest, coming from behind to win their quarter-final 29-20 before a 19-6 win over the Brumbies.

The Crusaders have had a relatively cruisy run through, demolishing the Fijian Drua 49-8 and then the Blues 52-15.

Although the Chiefs have been the most successful side in 2023, the Crusaders have momentum firmly on their side, according to Horwill and Hoiles.

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“I think the Crusaders pip them, just,” said Horwill on Stan Sport’s Rugby Heaven.

“I think they take in a lot of confidence. They’ve been playing very well the last two weeks and I’m interested to see whether the last two games have taken it out of the Chiefs. 

“I think the Crusaders, the last two weeks, probably have been on a bit of a canter. They’ve probably got a little bit more petrol in the tank, so I’m tipping the Crusaders, but only just.” 

Hoiles added, “I’m going to go the Crusaders as well, simply because you just can’t tip against the Crusaders in a game like this. 

“Last week was the one that swung me massively. The Chiefs have been the best side all year.

“The Crusaders had a slow start, but this is very much a typical Crusaders late run, a dominant side in the last 10 weeks. It’ll be a helluva game, but I’m going Crusaders.”

Fantastic Fainga’anuka makes it 13

The Crusaders have scored more than 20 points in all but two matches this season.

Incredibly, the Crusaders average 34.8 points per game while the Chiefs average 33.4 to date.

Just as fascinating is the points conceded with the Crusaders letting in more points than the Chiefs – 18.8 versus 17.9.

In the quarter-final and semi-finals, the Crusaders have amassed 101 points while the Chiefs have 48 to their credit.

NEW PODCAST! Sean Maloney, Morgan Turinui and Stephen Hoiles work out where the Brumbies came unstuck, hand out some awards and preview the final between the Chiefs and Crusaders

The Chiefs, defensively, have the edge over the Crusaders in Morgan Turinui’s eyes.

“I love the best defensive team in the comp – that’s why I’m going with the Chiefs,” he said.

“Some of their defensive performances this year, including against the Crusaders, have been excellent. I think that might be enough to get them up by four.”

In their two contests this year, the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 31-10 in the season opener in Christchurch and 34-24 at their Hamilton home.

Coverage of the Super Rugby Pacific final is live and ad-free on Stan Sport or free-to-air on 9Gem from 4.30pm (AEST).

Chiefs great lands knockout blow

CHIEFS IN SUPER RUGBY FINALS

APPEARANCES: 4 (2 won/2 lost)

FIRST TITLE: 2012, defeated Sharks

MOST RECENT TITLE: 2013, defeated Brumbies

CRUSADERS IN SUPER RUGBY FINALS

APPEARANCES: 16 (11 won/5 lost)

FIRST TITLE: 1998, defeated Blues

MOST RECENT TITLE: 2022, defeated Blues

CHIEFS (15-1): Shaun Stevenson, Emoni Narawa, Alex Nankivell, Anton Lienert-Brown, Etene Nanai-Seturo, Damian McKenzie, Brad Weber (co-c), Luke Jacobson, Sam Cane (co-c), Pita Gus Sowakula, Tupou Vaa’i, Brodie Retallick, George Dyer, Samisoni Taukei’aho, Aidan Ross

Reserves: Tyrone Thompson, Ollie Norris, John Ryan, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Samipeni Finau, Cortez Ratima, Josh Ioane, Rameka Poihipi

CRUSADERS (15-1): Will Jordan, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor, Jack Goodhue, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Richie Mo’unga, Mitch Drummond, Christian Lio-Willie, Tom Christie, Sione Havili Talitui, Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett (c), Oli Jager, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams

Reserves: George Bell, Kershawl Sykes-Martin, Reuben O’Neill, Quinten Strange, Dom Gardiner, Willi Heinz, Fergus Burke, Chay Fihaki

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