Chiefs 18 Crusaders 5
View photosKEY POINTS:
The Chiefs have broken the Crusaders' perfect Super 14 record with an 18-5 victory in front of a sell-out crowd in Hamilton tonight.
Led by a strong display by first five-eighth Stephen Donald, the Chiefs scored all their points in the first half through two tries and two penalties and defended their way to their fourth consecutive win in the second half.
The Chiefs' aggressive defence forced the Crusaders into uncharacteristic errors and even denied the visitors from picking up a bonus point for finishing within seven.
Donald, who brought up 100 points tonight, had a hand in both of his side's tries and produced a good tactical kicking game which constantly had the Crusaders on the back foot.
The Chiefs got off to an impressive start, capitalising on Stephen Brett's kick off which found touch on the full.
The home side worked their way into the Crusaders' 22 with ease and Donald slotted an early penalty.
Brett was unsuccessful with his chance to level the scores before Sitiveni Sivivatu got the Hamilton crowd on their feet with a try after 15 minutes.
An obstruction call against the Crusaders saw the pressure relieved for the Chiefs, who would have conceded a try had the referee not blown his whistle.
Instead, Sivivatu found himself on the end of a deft round-the-corner pass from Donald after some strong lead-up work by Sione Lauaki off the back of the scrum.
The momentum could have swung the Crusaders' way when Toby Lynn paid the price for the Chiefs' repeated infringements and was sent to the sin bin for playing the ball on the ground at a ruck.
However, it did little to slow the Chiefs down as Donald regathered his own chip kick and threw a pass inside to prop Simms Davison, who fended off Caleb Ralph and ran 20m to score under the posts.
A fortuitous Andy Ellis try ensured the Crusaders did what was required and scored first after halftime.
With the Crusaders in possession, the Chiefs enforced a turnover but the ball squirted out the back of the ruck for Brett to collect and find his halfback to score.
Possession went back and fourth for the majority of the second half, with neither side able to build pressure.
With 15 minutes remaining the Crusaders almost narrowed the Chiefs' lead after a Corey Flynn break, only for replacement forward Nasi Manu to lose the ball while lunging for the line.
The Chiefs have a chance to cement their place in the top four next when they play the Reds at home, while the Crusaders will look to get back on track against the Blues in Christchurch.
Chiefs 18 (Sitiveni Sivivatu, Simms Davison tries; Stephen Donald 2 pen, con) Crusaders 5 (Andrew Ellis try). Halftime: 18-0.
- NZ HERALD STAFF
