NPR

Hard luck Chiefs.

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:53 am In this second half the Crusaders have done an incredible job of denying the Chiefs territory. With or without the ball they have the Chiefs pinned.

Chiefs ahev been disappointing esp DMac. Contesting the ball. Poor. Scrum has struggled.

Chiefs are a fucking tough team to beat. Did not really deserve to lose.

Well done, Saders. Put the squeeze on through a dominant scrum and a better kicking game.

But why the fuck did Jacomb decide to kick the ball with 2 minutes to go??

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am Chiefs are a fucking tough team to beat. Did not really deserve to lose.

They didn't deserev to win this game

2 out of three loses (and another finals loss) that maybe reflects Claytons coaching ability

Gumboot wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am Well done, Saders. Put the squeeze on through a dominant scrum and a better kicking game.

But why the fuck did Jacomb decide to kick the ball with 2 minutes to go??

Why did Clayton bring him on. Stevenson was doing well enough and Jacomb is a bit limited at this level

Moral Dilemma wrote: Sat Jun 07, 2025 8:59 am The bad news is, we've pretty much just gifted the 'saders the title now.

And so it came to pass...

Well done, 'saders. Won me a few bucks.

Firewater wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:53 am In this second half the Crusaders have done an incredible job of denying the Chiefs territory. With or without the ball they have the Chiefs pinned.

Chiefs ahev been disappointing esp DMac. Contesting the ball. Poor. Scrum has struggled.

Yes, the Crusaders did a great job nullifying DMac and I don't think the Chiefs had more than one or two kicks that resulted in a positive outcome. Saders controlled the game by dominating territory in or out of possession.

Hard to come down from watching that. 80 mins on the edge of your seat.

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:20 am Hard to come down from watching that. 80 mins on the edge of your seat.

The tension was suitable for a final

Buggered if I could pick a MotM but at a push I would say Jordan, followed closely by Blackadder, Reece, and Barrett

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:25 am

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:20 am Hard to come down from watching that. 80 mins on the edge of your seat.

The tension was suitable for a final

Yeah, that was test match intensity.

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:05 am

Firewater wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:53 am In this second half the Crusaders have done an incredible job of denying the Chiefs territory. With or without the ball they have the Chiefs pinned.

Chiefs ahev been disappointing esp DMac. Contesting the ball. Poor. Scrum has struggled.

Yes, the Crusaders did a great job nullifying DMac and I don't think the Chiefs had more than one or two kicks that resulted in a positive outcome. Saders controlled the game by dominating territory in or out of possession.

DMac had a game he will want to forget. He just had a poor game when eh needed to step up And likely did his starting 1st chances for the ABs harm. He was that bad

If there was a better option than Jacomb he would have likley been moved back to FB soon after half time

Firewater wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 11:12 am

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:05 am

Firewater wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am

Chiefs ahev been disappointing esp DMac. Contesting the ball. Poor. Scrum has struggled.

Yes, the Crusaders did a great job nullifying DMac and I don't think the Chiefs had more than one or two kicks that resulted in a positive outcome. Saders controlled the game by dominating territory in or out of possession.

DMac had a game he will want to forget. He just had a poor game when eh needed to step up And likely did his starting 1st chances for the ABs harm. He was that bad

If there was a better option than Jacomb he would have likley been moved back to FB soon after half time

Yes he did but I've got to give the Crusaders a lot of credit for that. How many times in the second half did he have ball in hand in the Crusaders half? Very few. When he got possession of the ball in counter attacking situations (from kicks) the Crusaders chase was excellent and he was stopped in his tracks.

The big thing I will fault him for was missing that penalty in the second half. It wasn't an easy one but it's the kind of kick you have to make if you are going to win a close game like this. Also, Reihana nailed his touchline conversion, DMac missed his. The goal kicking definitely was a factor.

Kiwias wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 8:57 am Chiefs are a fucking tough team to beat. Did not really deserve to lose.

Yes, actually, we did.

Dicked up front and pressured so hard in the backs, all could do was kick it.

That was the right result.

Working this week so I missed the start... and it's all a bit of a rush as I try to watch while cooking some dinner.

Both teams capable of sustained pressure periods both ways, attack and defense. The Crusaders just more settled and methodical and a clear plan to keep the ball down at the Chiefs end, which worked well for them, along with the targetting of DMac.

I thought the Crusaders had shown some weakness this season when beaten, they were outmuscled up front and almost looked a bit sleepy and caught out. They were clearly well prepared last night so hats off to the coaching team for getting them in the right space. After Penney's disastrous first season I guess this is some sort of redemption for him personally but we should probably bear in mind the organisation in ChCh, there's clearly some good people in the right places.

Shame for McMillan not getting a cup to finish his stint with... I hope it all goes well for him up north. Seems like the right move for him to make now with an eye for a potential move back in a few years depending on what goes on with Razor and NZR.

I know there were plenty of individual moments with players standing up and out... I'd like to give a nod to one guy that hasn't really received the plaudits despite a consistent effort and all the more remarkable because he came into the starting side as a replacement... Rivez Reihana. He doesn't seem to make mistakes. He steers the team around the park calmly and with great impact, he's quick and big enough to break the line and defend well, and he's a particularly good looking young man.

Suit you, sir. Suit you.

Good summary Guy.

Wonder who will be taking over the reins of the Chiefs? Is Roger Randle in the frame?

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:42 pm Good summary Guy.

Wonder who will be taking over the reins of the Chiefs? Is Roger Randle in the frame?

Think Jono Gibbes is next. Not sure if it's confirmed yet, though.

Gumboot wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 6:04 pm

Hugo wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 5:42 pm Good summary Guy.

Wonder who will be taking over the reins of the Chiefs? Is Roger Randle in the frame?

Think Jono Gibbes is next. Not sure if it's confirmed yet, though.

Ok. Maybe you or Enz could clarify but it seems like the Chiefs (of the 5 SR franchises) are the most heavily connected to Maori rugby. Is that so?

Yes, the Chiefs have a strong affiliation with Maori within the catchment area. Their name was approved by the lwi. This is from Dr Google

Cultural Integration:
The Chiefs actively incorporate Māori culture into the team's identity, with jerseys featuring strong Māori design elements that connect the team to its region.
Values-Based Approach:
The club's culture is rooted in Māori values and traditions, influencing how the team operates and interacts with the community.
Regional Connection:
The team's name, colors, and design elements all serve to strengthen its connection to the wider Waikato and Taranaki regions, which are heavily populated by Māori.
Leadership:
The Chiefs' commitment to Māori culture was initially implemented under former head coach Dave Rennie and has continued with the current head coach, Clayton McMillan.
Māori Leadership:
In traditional Māori society, chiefs (rangatira) held a position of mana and responsibility for their people. The Chiefs rugby team embodies a modern form of this leadership by prioritizing community well-being and cultural preservation.

Enzedder wrote: Sat Jun 21, 2025 9:27 pm Yes, the Chiefs have a strong affiliation with Maori within the catchment area. Their name was approved by the lwi. This is from Dr Google

Cultural Integration:
The Chiefs actively incorporate Māori culture into the team's identity, with jerseys featuring strong Māori design elements that connect the team to its region.
Values-Based Approach:
The club's culture is rooted in Māori values and traditions, influencing how the team operates and interacts with the community.
Regional Connection:
The team's name, colors, and design elements all serve to strengthen its connection to the wider Waikato and Taranaki regions, which are heavily populated by Māori.
Leadership:
The Chiefs' commitment to Māori culture was initially implemented under former head coach Dave Rennie and has continued with the current head coach, Clayton McMillan.
Māori Leadership:
In traditional Māori society, chiefs (rangatira) held a position of mana and responsibility for their people. The Chiefs rugby team embodies a modern form of this leadership by prioritizing community well-being and cultural preservation.

That's awesome.

The Chiefs is definitely one of those sporting teams that (from the outside looking in) seems to have a clear and irrefutable identity. Even down to the aesthetics.

Considering some of the head-to-heads, I reckon Tupaea would be ahead of Havili in the race for the 12 jersey and Blackadder ahead of Finau for 6.

Kiwias wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:41 am Considering some of the head-to-heads, I reckon Tupaea would be ahead of Havili in the race for the 12 jersey and Blackadder ahead of Finau for 6.

Agree about Tupaea, but reckon Razor will pick Havili anyway. And both Finau and Blackadder make it, for mine. Would prefer Finau starting, though.

Some of the local hacks are picking Kirifi and leaving out Lakai. I bloody hope not! Lakai has a much higher ceiling, imho.

Gumboot wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:19 am

Kiwias wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 3:41 am Considering some of the head-to-heads, I reckon Tupaea would be ahead of Havili in the race for the 12 jersey and Blackadder ahead of Finau for 6.

Agree about Tupaea, but reckon Razor will pick Havili anyway. And both Finau and Blackadder make it, for mine. Would prefer Finau starting, though.

Some of the local hacks are picking Kirifi and leaving out Lakai. I bloody hope not! Lakai has a much higher ceiling, imho.

I was assuming that Jordie Barrett as the incumbent 12 will be there so we need one more, making it a toss-up between Tupaea and Havili.

I hope Finau is in the squad named but suspect Razor will have Blackadder as the starting 6. Lakai makes my AB squad

Havili makes it every year on Supe form, but so far his test performances against the top nations have been decidedly underwhelming. I'd hate to see him make it at Tupaea's expense, especially with a view to 2027.

Gumboot wrote: Sun Jun 22, 2025 4:57 am Havili makes it every year on Supe form, but so far his test performances against the top nations have been decidedly underwhelming. I'd hate to see him make it at Tupaea's expense, especially with a view to 2027.

Pretty much in line with my thinking.