Crusaders 26
Chiefs 19
The Chiefs have created a headache for themselves. They rumbled to an historic Super 14 series start offshore but cannot win on their own patch.
On their return they fell to a sloppy defeat against the Reds and last night lost to the suffocating excellence of the visiting Crusaders. It was a game of outstanding attacking thrust in the first half before rain constricted both teams' ambitions after the break.
The game became a grind, an enormous physical scrap and while the points were shared in the second spell, the Crusaders were rarely pinned inside their half.
The game began at a frenetic pace and scarcely slowed by halftime. While there was a swirling wind which suggested Daniel Carter and Stephen Donald might punch the ball for position, both All Black five-eighths chose to spread the ball towards their attacking forces.
The Crusaders were the first to benefit when deputy halfback Kahn Fotuali'i, brought into action because Andy Ellis is receuperating from concussion, scooted over as Jared Payne and Kieran Read counter-attacked at great pace down the short side.
Fotuali'i almost had another soon after Read charged on to find Owen Franks whose delivery just missed his halfback who was trailing his inside shoulder. He made amends for that miss not long after from another counter-attack.
Fotuali'i was the central figure as he claimed the blindside alley, teased and mesmerised the defenders to delay his pass to Payne and was there for the backup collect and his second touchdown.
It was starting to look all too easy for the Crusaders who danced out to a 20-9 lead with their attacking interplay down the shortside building on the demolition work started by their pack. Much of the play was of the calibre punters would demand if hotels in Hamilton end up charging $700 a night during next year's World Cup.
The Chiefs were unable to make much impact. Their scrum was creaking, lineout throws from both hookers were few but they were also askew in the breeze, while the multi-dimensional attackers in the Chiefs backline got precious little quality ball or time to put on some moves.
Instead it took an individual charge from No 8 Colin Bourke to get his side back into the game. He punched a hole in what had been an impregnable line, fed Donald who was over the advantage line enough to manouevre Richard Kahui to the tryline.
The sting was back into the match as the Crusaders began to have a nervous twitch or two though a Carter penalty right on the interval helped restore some calm.
However rain during the break ramped up the difficulties for the sides. Methods narrowed as both sides attacked closer to the breakdowns and searched for some route or secret to crack the result.
The TV match official could not find any pictures to verify the Crusaders' claim for a try in the 68th minute as the visitors ground their way forward. They made 20m, slugging and bashing to the chalk but the Chiefs hung on.
Once they escaped their own line Donald banged over a magnificent 50m penalty and with eight minutes left the Chiefs were only a converted try adrift.
Crusaders 26 (K Fotuali'i 2, tries D Carter 2 con, 3 pen)
Chiefs 19 (R Kahui tries; S Donald 4 pen, con). Halftime:23-16
LENS ON LEONARD
A few years back national coach Graham Henry labelled Brendon Leonard the best attacking halfback in Super 14 and reinforced that view by picking him for his test debut.
The Chiefs' halfback was restricted to a clutch of defensive plays last night as the Chiefs tried to hang tough with the visitors.
But there was time for one powerful 40m bust in the opening spell when he showed the balance, speed and power which make him such a danger.
