Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan has highlighted a critical period in the Super Rugby Aotearoa final when his side failed to take advantage of the game but believes they will be better for the experience.
Between the 53rd and 68th minutes of their 24-13 loss to the Crusaders last weekend, the Chiefs had at least a one-man advantage, and were 15 against 13 for five minutes of that span. The Chiefs added only three points during that quarter of an hour, through a Damian McKenzie penalty goal.
No one in the Chiefs team that lost to the Crusaders on Saturday night had played in a Super Rugby final before, and McMillan said that lack of experience showed against a Crusaders team that has now won five straight titles.
"When they were down to 13, we got a bit flustered, I think," McMillan said. "We probably over-played and didn't nail our set piece, and just allowed the Crusaders to get their game going. We'll reflect on that.
"The key thing is we just learn and continue to grow. We can't do anything about it, we had the opportunities but we just didn't cash in on them.