Crusaders vs Chiefs: Cowbell ban adds spice to Super Rugby final

An explanation...
The fact it's been ho-hum reminded me of when ex-Crusaders prop Joe Moody said the quiet part out loud in 2020 and admitted there was some genuine hatred between his side and the Chiefs. Maybe it was the lockdown talking, but it was the most honest a player has been and added some genuine spice to the fixture. Unfortunately, the art of tribalism has largely been lost in Super Rugby.
All Blacks and Crusaders prop Joe Moody. Photo / Photosport
A suggestion...
Not winning a final can hang over you. Long after the initial disappointment dissipates, you can be tagged as not having what it takes to win the big games. The top two inches.
Just ask Ian Foster, who admits in his new book that there was a lot made of the fact he never won a title with the Chiefs.
If Clayton McMillan oversees a fourth final loss in five years tomorrow night, that tag could follow him long after he's left New Zealand - and back again if he returns to try for the All Blacks job down the track. It's a bit much to say McMillan's coaching future could be decided tonight but, should he win the decider, suddenly those three defeats become less important in the overarching narrative.
A prediction...
The final will be a coin flip, and the referee will probably decide it. There's a somewhat bizarre symmetry between this year and 2023, when these sides last met in the final. The Chiefs won twice that season and then ... couldn't get over the Crusaders in the final. If that happens, I can recommend to Chiefs fans a great documentary, the Four Falls of Buffalo (screening on Disney+), about the Buffalo Bills' four straight Super Bowl defeats in the 1990s. It won't necessarily be cathartic, but you may find solidarity.
A question...
Is it better to have Ardie once or never to have had Ardie at all? That's what Moana Pasifika fans must be asking themselves after having their recently acquired 'toy' loaned out to Kobe for another season, with the promise he'll come back in 2027.
Just as Moana Pasifika began to get a foothold in Super Rugby, they must appoint a new captain and start somewhat from scratch again. Is there any other sport in the world where a player would trade a stronger competition for a lesser one for a few months? It's only rugby's skewed financials that allow such moves.
And would it be better or worse for Super Rugby not to have Savea at all over the current contract period, rather than the 'is he or isn't he here' question with two sabbaticals? Do you gain more by having Savea for one year on, one year off than you do allowing him to head to Japan for four years – clearing any confusion – and still allowing him to be eligible for the All Blacks?
Elliott Smith is a Rugby Commentator and Deputy Sports News Editor for Newstalk ZB. He is the host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
For live commentary of this weekend's Super Rugby Pacific final between the Crusaders and the Chiefs, go to GOLD SPORT or iHeartRadio.

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Learn with AIFact CheckingText to SpeechAI Summary

Related Articles

Otago Daily Times

36 minutes ago

• Otago Daily Times

O'Connor out as Schmidt opts for youth

James O'Connor's dreams of earning a recall for Australia's hosting of the British and Irish Lions appear over after the veteran playmaker was overlooked for the Wallabies squad to face Fiji in three weeks. Coach Joe Schmidt yesterday named a 36-strong squad to assemble on Sunday in Sydney for the Wallabies' season-opening international in Newcastle on July 6. The squad comprises 20 forwards and 16 backs, with Western Force back rower Nick Champion de Crespigny and Brumbies winger Corey Toole the only two uncapped players selected. But there was no room for O'Connor despite Schmidt last month saying the Wallabies could use the 34-year-old's experience following his impressive run of form in helping the Crusaders reach tomorrow's Super Rugby Pacific final against the Chiefs. Schmidt has instead pinned his faith in youth, with Noah Lolesio, Ben Donaldson and Tom Lynagh the three No10 options selected. O'Connor's omission leaves prop James Slipper, Australia's most-capped player, as the sole survivor from the squad that lost the 2013 series to the Lions 2-1. In-form Brumbies No 9 Ryan Lonergan and injured Queensland forwards Seru Uru and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto are other notable absentees but could yet force their way into a larger squad to be named for the Lions series on July 11. Waratahs hooker David Porecki has been named in the national set-up for the first time since captaining the team during the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, while another former leader, giant lock Will Skelton, is the only overseas based-player in the squad. Western Force stars de Crespigny, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Tom Robertson, Darcy Swain and Nic White have been picked but will remain on the west coast to prepare for the clash with the Lions in Perth tomorrow week. Wallabies squad.— Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Bell, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Matt Faessler, Nick Frost, Langi Gleeson, Tom Hooper, Fraser McReight, Zane Nonggorr, Billy Pollard, David Porecki, Tom Robertson, Will Skelton, James Slipper, Darcy Swain, Carlo Tizzano, Taniela Tupou, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Harry Wilson. Backs: Filipo Daugunu, Ben Donaldson, Jake Gordon, Len Ikitau, Max Jorgensen, Andrew Kellaway, Noah Lolesio, Tom Lynagh, Tate McDermott, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Corey Toole, Nic White, Tom Wright.

Otago Daily Times

7 hours ago

• Otago Daily Times

Time for Chiefs to put Super back into rugby

It might shock you to learn your columnist does not have a great deal of affection for the Crusaders. In fact, just the other day he was heard to mention if the Crusaders were matched against the Gestapo XV, he would be barracking for the Germans. While some rather misguided souls feel it is in their interests to support the Evil Empire in tonight's Super Rugby final in some sort of show of southern solidarity, The Last Word stands firm. Last season — when the Crusaders collapsed — was glorious. The world is a terrible enough place without seeing the men from the flatlands at the top of Super Rugby again. We must unite as one and ask the rugby gods to bless the Chiefs. It would be cruel if they were to lose a third straight final, and coach Clayton McMillan deserves to go out a winner. ... for the Chiefs One thing I will say for the Crusaders. They have done exceptionally well to bounce back from the horrors of 2024. Having a dozen All Blacks helps, of course. But the really interesting thing is that, if the Crusaders are to win this final (sigh), they will do it without a top-class first five, which goes against the common belief any champion team must have a star in the No10 jersey. No disrespect to emerging talent Rivez Reihana, but he is simply not that star. It could actually be two straight years for that situation. Harry Plummer was in great form for the Blues last year but, to be blunt, he is hardly going to be remembered as one of our best first fives. Perhaps not since the Bulls fielded Derick Hougaard in the 2007 final has a Super Rugby champion fielded a first five who was not world-class or close to it. Dan Carter (2008), Morne Steyn (2009-10), Quade Cooper (2011), Aaron Cruden (2012-13), Bernard Foley (2014), Lima Sopoaga (2015), Beauden Barrett (2016) and Richie Mo'unga (2017-23, otherwise known as the grim years) were all class acts. Off again Understandable but still a little disappointing the great Ardie Savea is off on another sabbatical and will miss Super Rugby in 2026. He was immensely influential for Moana Pasifika in his first season with his new team, and Super Rugby does not need its best players ducking off to Japan to make some cash. Not sure what the solution is, though. Grubbing away There were extraordinary scenes in the world of State of Origin this week. I am not talking about game two — though it was great to see Queensland win, thanks to a wonderful first half, not just because that is where my allegiances lie but because it sets up a decider, which is always nice. The biggest story was Queensland coach Billy Slater's emotional press conference after being referred to as a "grub" by former New South Wales prop and commentator Aaron Woods. Slater was almost trembling as he spoke at length about everything from a person's character to the "privileged position" held by journalists and broadcasters. He also shocked some people — and has since apologised — when he talked about how people coped with criticism and referred to former Queensland coach Paul Green perhaps being one of those who could not. Green died by suicide in 2022 and a post-mortem found he had been living with a severe case of the CTE brain disease. All this, seemingly, because of the word "grub". It seems so mild, yet it is basically the worst thing you can say about anyone in the rugby league world. Golden boy Safe travels, Nico Porteous. The Olympic champion has retired from elite-level freeskiing competition at the tender age of 23, having won it all and done it all. Most of us will never really understand the depths of courage and skill it takes to succeed in a sport like that, and Porteous will rightly be remembered as a New Zealand sporting great. Just a farce Not sure what is worse. Fifa bringing in a bloated, essentially pointless World Club Cup to further clog the football calendar. Or a system that leads to the New Zealand representative being Auckland City, an allegedly semi-professional team (bet their budget is comfortably higher than the Dunedin City Royals' or Wanaka's), who were smashed 10-0 by Bayern Munich. Bonkers all round. Old mate The sports story of the week has to be Kazuyoshi Miura. Miura — 58 years and 109 days old — made the first appearance of his 40th football season when he came off the bench for Atletico Suzuka in the Japanese fourth division. Miura, who has also played club football in Italy, Croatia, Portugal and Australia, scored 55 goals in 89 appearances for Japan, the last of which came in 2000. Believe it or not, though, it seems he is not the oldest professional footballer in the world. The Guardian recently profiled Mykola Lykhovydov, running around in the Ukraine third tier at 59. Guinness World Records report the oldest player in the history of professional football was Ezzeldin Bahader, who appeared for an Egyptian club with the magnificent name of 6th of October SC in March 2020, aged 74. Astonishingly, Bahader scored from the penalty spot in that game, making him also the oldest scorer. And the fun fact of the week is 6th of October is a desert city in the Greater Cairo region, named for the start of the Yom Kippur War, the fourth Arab-Israeli War lasting 19 days.

RNZ News

14 hours ago

• RNZ News

Chiefs star Quinn Tupaea aims for Super Rugby Pacific title, All Blacks recall

HOLD FOR FRIDAY Quinn Tupaea was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13. Photo: Jeremy Ward/Photosport Super Rugby Pacific Grand Final Crusaders v Chiefs Kickoff: 7,05pm Saturday, 18 June Apollo Projects Stadium, Christchurch Live blog updates on RNZ Quinn Tupaea was a Chiefs fan before he was a player and he'd like nothing more than to help the franchise win another Super Rugby title. Twelve years have passed since they last lifted the trophy and they've suffered the heartbreak of defeat in the past two finals. They take on the Crusaders in Saturday night's title decider in Christchurch, where the hosts have never lost a playoff game . The Chiefs finished as top qualifiers for the post-season and midfielder Tupaea played a big role in their success, scoring several tries and making big defensive plays for his side. He said winning a Super Rugby title would be a career highlight. "That's the dream, that's the goal," Tupaea said. "Born in bred in Hamilton, I grew up a Chiefs fan, so to bring a championship to the city and to this region would mean the world to myself and this team." He was just a youngster, when the Chiefs won back-to-back titles in 2012-13, but Tupaea, 26, remembers them well. "I was 12 and 13," he said. "I was at those finals, sat in the family zone on the left side of the stadium and have some great memories with my family. "Looking back on it now, that's the feeling I want to bring to our fans and win a championship for our region. "There's been a lot of heartbreak for our fans the last 4-5 years, not getting over the line. We have very passionate fans and we get great crowds every week, so to bring the title to Hamilton for our fans, that would mean a lot." Tupaea's form in the Chiefs midfield has been impressive this season, but he's quick to credit his team for helping him produce consistent performances. "I've been showing up to work every day, wanting to get better, and my success this year has been on the back of of a successful team as well," he said. "It's a lot easier to play behind a good pack, and good nine and 10 [halfback and first-five] combo." "I'm enjoying my rugby and pretty happy." Quinn Tupaea's Super Rugby Pacific form may earn him an All Blacks recall. Photo: Brett Phibbs / Tupaea's played so well, he could earn an All Blacks recall on Monday, when the squad to play France in three tests in July is named. He hasn't featured for the All Blacks since 2022, when he suffered a serious knee injury against the Wallabies. While firmly focused on the task at hand with the Chiefs, he doesn't conceal his desire to return to the national side. "I would obviously like to get recalled into the [All Blacks] squad," Tupaea said. "It's a goal I set myself every year. "It's a place I want to be playing and it's the team I want to be in - it's a no-brainer. I'd like to hear my name called on Monday." Before then, the Chiefs must overcome history and end the Crusaders 31-match unbeaten run in home playoffs to win Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific final. Tupaea said that would make victory all the sweeter. "That's it - 31 and one, thank you very much!" Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.