Rugby: Forwards set the tone for big upset

George Whitelock (L) and Corey Flynn of the Crusaders tackle Robbie Robinson of the Chiefs. Photo / Getty Images

Common sense and rugby history suggested the Crusaders would arm-wrestle their way past the Chiefs.

They had the test clout sorted in the front row with the Franks brothers and Corey Flynn, had beefed up their second row horsepower and had test loosies in the vanguard.

That quality mix had to have the edge on a Chiefs pack which had been strong last week but should have been no surprise last night in Napier.

But something assistant coach Tom Coventry is doing with those forwards is hitting the right note. The former Hawkes Bay boss took his pack back to McLean Park and got them into early work.

Pre-match they were out on the track, practising their scrummaging and getting their minds ready for what was going to be a rugged test from the Crusaders.

Several times in the first half Taumalolo, Schwalger and Tameifuna began the shunts which nudged the Crusaders' scrum or earned penalties.

Say that again. If you did not see the match you might want to read that again. Yes the Chiefs had the ascendant scrum.

How many times has that been said about the Chiefs in their history? Not many and we'll leave it at that.

It was a massive effort from the Chiefs who forced Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder to bring Wyatt Crockett on at loosehead prop before the Chiefs went to their reserve rack after 60 minutes. It was a hell of an effort.

Around his set piece impact, Chiefs loosehead Sona Taumalolo bullocked his way across the line and had enough guile to convince the ref and TMO he had scored. That ensured the Chiefs led into the last quarter as they threatened a two-game winning streak. Surely they would falter or perhaps more accurately, the Crusaders would find a way to win the match.

They have a core of test players through the squad, men who should have produced more but the absence of the injured Richie McCaw and Daniel Carter is hurting this side more than we expected.

If their pack is held and fails to dominate the breakdowns, there are backline defects. The Chiefs disrupted their rivals. They cut down their space and created a little piece of history and certainly a bucketload more interest in the Chiefs than there was at the start of the Super 15.