As a 16,283 strong crowd packed into Apollo Projects Stadium, the scene was set for the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific Final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs. Crusaders searching for their 15th Super Rugby title; the Chiefs starring in their 3rd Super Rugby final in a row.
Referee James Doleman took charge of the decider, and Damian McKenzie got things underway with a high kick off.
The opening exchanges were fierce, with both sides trading tactical kicks and probing runs. Will Jordan and Sevu Reece were lively early, while Luke Jacobson and Quinn Tupaea led the Chiefs’ physical charge.
The Chiefs struck first after sustained pressure inside the Crusaders’ 22m. Jacobson linked with Dyer, who crashed through the defence to score under the posts. McKenzie converted to make it 7-0.
Drama unfolded shortly after as David Havili was shown a yellow card for a head-on-head collision with Emoni Narawa, reducing the Crusaders to 14 men.
Despite the setback, the Crusaders held defence held strong as it had all season. A clever maul play saw Codie Taylor peel off down the blindside and sprint over in the corner. Rivez Reihana nailed the sideline conversion to level the scores at 7-7.
Reihana added a penalty to edge the Crusaders ahead, but the Chiefs responded with a brilliant wide play. Ratima fired the ball to Stevenson, who beat his man to score. McKenzie missed the conversion, leaving the score at 13-12 at halftime.
The second half started as the first half finished, with great intensity. Both teams traded territory and penalties, with McKenzie missing a crucial shot at goal from 43m out.
The match had everything – crunching tackles, pinpoint kicking, and relentless pressure. Will Jordan remained a constant threat from the back, Tamaiti Williams dominated collisions, and McKenzie orchestrated the Chiefs’ attack with flair.
As the clock ticked past 55 minutes, the Crusaders held a narrow lead at 13-12. The tension was felt as the most vocal crowd of the season roared with their support, willing their team to hold firm.
A disallowed try to Havili in the 66th minute, kept the Crusaders with a small lead, until Reihana eventually let the pressure off with a penalty in the 72nd minute, taking it to 16-12.
Crusaders holding on for the last 8 minutes, as Preston bangs it into touch to help the team lift the trophy for their 15th Super Rugby title in 30 years of the competition.
Final Score: Crusaders 16 – Chiefs 12