{"id":13842,"date":"2021-05-08T09:17:50","date_gmt":"2021-05-07T21:17:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/?p=13842"},"modified":"2021-05-08T13:20:29","modified_gmt":"2021-05-08T01:20:29","slug":"grand-final-preview-crusaders-v-chiefs","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/05\/08\/grand-final-preview-crusaders-v-chiefs\/","title":{"rendered":"GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: CRUSADERS V CHIEFS"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"GettyImages<\/p>\n

This is a Grand Final story that could have been written by a Hollywood script writer.<\/p>\n

The unstoppable Crusaders shooting for a fifth straight title against the underdog Chiefs who have rebounded from an 11-match losing streak to make an unlikely final. On paper the Chiefs appear to have it all against them. They have lost their captain to injury this season, have an interim coach at the helm and are playing away from home at the Crusaders seemingly impenetrable fortress Orangetheory Stadium. It\u2019s an underdog story of epic proportions, but as interim coach Clayton McMillan said earlier in the week, \u201cI\u2019ve seen plenty of upsets in the past and you might see one next week\u201d.<\/p>\n

Match details:<\/strong>\u00a0Crusaders v Chiefs, 7.05pm, Saturday May 8, Orangetheory Stadium, Christchurch
\nPlayed: 40
\nWon: Crusaders 24, Chiefs 16
\nReferee: Ben O\u2019Keeffe
\nLast time: Chiefs 26, Crusaders 25 (17 April 2021)<\/p>\n

MAGNIFICENT MCKENZIE<\/strong>
\nFrom his scintillating counterattack and clutch goal-kicking to his ability to switch between full back and first five, Damian McKenzie has been central to the Chiefs revival in 2021. McKenzie\u2019s clutch goal kicking has scooped the Chiefs three last gasp victories this season and helped him to a competition leading tally of 98 points. Halfback and captain Brad Weber sang his praises following McKenzie\u2019s match-winning penalty against the Hurricanes in round nine: \u201cHe\u2019s the hottest property in town. He deserves it, because he\u2019s the hardest working guy that I\u2019ve seen in our group, the prep that he puts in, so it\u2019s no surprise to us.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n
CLUTCH CHIEFS\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The Chiefs five victories in the regular season all came by a margin of seven points or less to underline their ability to deliver when under pressure. On three of those occasions, it was the boot of ice-cold Damian McKenzie who led the team to victory. Under interim coach Clayton McMillan the Chiefs have built a strong culture and head into the final with genuine belief that they can lift the title. This was summed up by Damian McKenzie\u2019s excitement during the Grand Final week: \u201cThe boys are fizzed and there\u2019s heaps of energy around the camp,\u201d McKenzie said.<\/p>\n

FINALS FORTRESS<\/strong>
\nAs if the Chiefs didn\u2019t need any more reason to be underdogs in this game, the Crusaders have never lost a finals game at home. Out of 24 finals games played in Christchurch, the red and blacks are undefeated. This includes six Grand Finals.<\/p>\n

TRY TIME TAYLOR<\/strong>
\nCrusaders\u2019 hooker Codie Taylor leads the competition with seven tries from his eight appearances. Taylor has been the beneficiary of the Crusaders forward dominance in 2021 and the Chiefs will need to work overtime to shut down the Crusaders raging pack on Saturday night.<\/p>\n

\n
TEAMS<\/strong><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

Crusaders:<\/strong>
\n1. George Bower 2. Codie Taylor (VC) 3. Michael Alaalatoa 4. Scott Barrett (C) 5. Samuel Whitelock 6.\u00a0 Ethan Blackadder 7. Sione Havili Talitui 8. Cullen Grace 9. Mitchell Drummond 10. Richie Mo’unga 11. George Bridge 12. David Havili (VC) 13. Leicester Fainga’anuku 14. Sevu Reece 15. Will Jordan
\nReserves:<\/strong> Brodie McAlister, Tamaiti Williams, Oliver Jager, Mitchell Dunshea, Tom Sanders, Bryn Hall, Dallas McLeod, Braydon Ennor<\/p>\n

Chiefs:<\/strong>
\n1: Aidan Ross 2: Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho 3: Angus Ta\u2019avao 4: Tupou Vaa\u2019i 5: Mitchell Brown 6: Pita Gus Sowakula 7: Lachlan Boshier 8: Luke Jacobson 9: Brad Weber (C) 10: Bryn Gatland 11: Etene Nanai-Seturo 12: Alex Nankivell 13: Anton Lienert-Brown 14: Jonah Lowe 15: Damian McKenzie
\nReserves:<\/strong> Bradley Slater, Ollie Norris, Sione Mafileo, Naitoa Ah Kuoi, Zane Kapeli, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Rameka Poihipi, Chase Tiatia<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

This is a Grand Final story that could have been written by a Hollywood script writer. The unstoppable Crusaders shooting for a fifth straight title against the underdog Chiefs who have rebounded from an 11-match losing streak to make an unlikely final. On paper the Chiefs appear to have it all against them. They have…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":13843,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"GRAND FINAL PREVIEW: CRUSADERS V CHIEFS","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[2,11],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13842","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-rugbyheartland-news","category-super-rugby"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/121.jpg?fit=1080%2C1350&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p4wlzH-3Bg","jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":13541,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/03\/13\/crusaders-turn-it-on-against-luckless-chiefs\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":0},"title":"CRUSADERS TURN IT ON AGAINST LUCKLESS CHIEFS","author":"admin_hland","date":"March 13, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Crusaders have handed the Chiefs an unwanted record-equaling result tonight at Orangetheory Stadium in Christchurch, winning 39-17 in their Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa round three match. The loss means the Chiefs have now been on the wrong side of the scoresheet 11 times in a row, one more next\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GettyImages-1306810479__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwwXQ.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GettyImages-1306810479__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwwXQ.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GettyImages-1306810479__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwwXQ.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GettyImages-1306810479__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwwXQ.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/GettyImages-1306810479__FocusFillWzExMDAsNDMwLCJ5IiwwXQ.jpg?fit=1100%2C430&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13527,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/03\/12\/round-3-preview-crusaders-v-chiefs-2021\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":1},"title":"Round 3 Preview: Crusaders v Chiefs (2021)","author":"admin_hland","date":"March 12, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"The Crusaders picked up where they left off in 2020 with wins in the opening two rounds of Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa and now face an altogether different challenge from a Chiefs side with a point to prove in Christchurch on Saturday night. Match details: Saturday 13 March, 7.05pm, Orangetheory\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rd321cruchfs.jpg?fit=1200%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rd321cruchfs.jpg?fit=1200%2C469&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rd321cruchfs.jpg?fit=1200%2C469&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rd321cruchfs.jpg?fit=1200%2C469&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/rd321cruchfs.jpg?fit=1200%2C469&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":13420,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/03\/01\/crusaders-sky-super-rugby-aotearoa-round-2-match-moved-to-sunday\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":2},"title":"Crusaders Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 2 match moved to Sunday","author":"admin_hland","date":"March 1, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Crusaders Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa Round 2 match moved to Sunday Crusaders v Hurricanes, Round 2 match moved to Sunday, 7 March at 4.35pm Chiefs v Highlanders Round 2 match to remain on Friday, 5 March at 7.05pm New Zealand Rugby has announced the Crusaders Sky Super Rugby Aotearoa Round\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/orange.jpg?fit=1140%2C520&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/orange.jpg?fit=1140%2C520&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/orange.jpg?fit=1140%2C520&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/orange.jpg?fit=1140%2C520&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/03\/orange.jpg?fit=1140%2C520&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":15056,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2021\/11\/15\/super-rugby-pacific-2022-draw-unveiled\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":3},"title":"Super Rugby Pacific 2022 draw unveiled","author":"admin_hland","date":"November 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Moana Pasifika to kick off new era for the Pacific region at Mt Smart Stadium Super Round Melbourne with all matches to be played at AAMI Park in Round 2 Regular season to include home and away rivalry matches in addition to the round-robin Super Rugby Pacific will kick off\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/sqw.jpg?fit=935%2C938&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":16328,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2022\/07\/22\/all-blacks-squad-named-for-lipovitan-d-rugby-championship\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":4},"title":"All Blacks squad named for Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship","author":"admin_hland","date":"July 22, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"All Blacks coach Ian Foster has named the following squad for the 2022 edition of the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship. The 36-strong squad is as follows: (Age, Super Rugby club, Test caps in brackets). Forwards: Hookers Dane Coles (35, Hurricanes \/ Wellington, 81) Samisoni Taukeiaho (24, Chiefs \/ Waikato, 11) Codie\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/07\/295469166_10158866647266915_7710628612455153151_n.jpg?fit=843%2C527&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]},{"id":17333,"url":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/2022\/11\/11\/new-zealand-xv-team-named-for-clash-with-barbarians\/","url_meta":{"origin":13842,"position":5},"title":"New Zealand XV team named for clash with Barbarians","author":"admin_hland","date":"November 11, 2022","format":false,"excerpt":"The New Zealand XV team has been named to play the Barbarians at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in London on Sunday 13 November, kick-off at 2.00PM GMT (3.00AM Monday 14 November NZDT). The matchday 23 is as follows (Province\/Super Rugby Club) Aidan Ross (26, Bay of Plenty \/ Chiefs) Brodie McAlister\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "RugbyHeartland News"","block_context":{"text":"RugbyHeartland News","link":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/category\/rugbyheartland-news\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vdd.jpg?fit=1024%2C634&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vdd.jpg?fit=1024%2C634&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vdd.jpg?fit=1024%2C634&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/11\/vdd.jpg?fit=1024%2C634&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x"},"classes":[]}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13842","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13842"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13842\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13844,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/13842\/revisions\/13844"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/13843"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13842"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=13842"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/rugbyheartland.co.nz\/wp\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=13842"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}