Tupou Vaai’s got power on the Chiefs second row 5 with tries and exceptional ground work while Damian McKenzie at 10 unleashed his need for speed at counter-attacking plays and kicks for goal as well.
Message sent with the three qualifying final games to start next weekend.
Timoci Tavavanawai at 12: a quick thinker, shifter & finisher- not the Highlanders year in 2025 but here to make things count.
Then in Canberra, Crusaders back rowers punched above their weight v Brumbies like starting blindside 6 Ethan Blackadder who did a bit of everything in the first half, and No.8 Christian Lio-Willie pushing and pulling against all stops all game.
Unlucky to Brumbies who didn’t have much ball in the first half when their late bid wasn’t quite enough but Tom Wright from the back always involved that the Crusaders wasn’t able to do on its own.
Chiefs simply unstoppable with their goal-scoring ability that sets the challenge for all over five teams to beat, having collected the regular season honours.
Highlanders, on the other hand, had some great moments that the home fans were proud of for the sake of this last-placed team – lots to look at in the off-season.
Back to Canberra as this Brumbies v Crusaders clash seeks realm like it was last year and many times before. Not saying it was the best of the Australian and New Zealand Super Rugby teams at this time when times have changed.
But still, Crusaders did enough to get over the line off the back of their strong hold forward pack & not so much from the backline, particularly when the loose ones stood out best despite hauling Ethan off.
I guess that’s to protect him who Crusaders need him most next weekend.
Brumbies wished they could have kept Crusaders under water off the back of their restarts that follows up with dominating the last 40 – just needs to work on their consistency and we might as well see the much better version this year.
Now the tables have turned to final round Saturday with three teams still in the hunt for the 6th and final spot:
- Moana Pasifika
- Blues
- NSW Waratahs
This afternoon Tahs will be in Auckland v Blues then at 5pm AEST Moana Pasifika will look to make their first finals appearance in Wellington v Hurricanes.
It’s either Tahs win and Moana lose or Blues win and Moana lose or Moana win either way as long as it’s the win v Canes.
