Super Rugby Pacific: Crusaders beat Chiefs 36-32 for third straight win at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch

Friday, 22 May 2026

At One NZ Stadium, Christchurch: Crusaders 36 (Leicester Fainga’anuku 19min, Jamie Hannah 29min, Christian Lio-Willie 37min, Johnny McNicholl 51min, 71min, David Havili 75min tries; Rivez Reihana con, Taha Kemara 2 con) Chiefs 32 (Kyren Taumoefolau 5min, Samisoni Taukei’aho 24min, Josh Lord 33min, Quinn Tupaea 55min tries; Josh Jacomb 3 con, 2 pen). HT: 17-19.

Captain David Havili scored the killer try and Sevu Reece rediscovered his razzle dazzle to spark the Crusaders to a comeback win over the Chiefs and keep the champions in the hunt for a home Super Rugby Pacific playoff.

It was fitting that Havili dotted down five minutes from fulltime in the 36-32 win before Friday night’s full house at One NZ Stadium as the Crusaders silenced the Chiefs fans’ cow bells.

The skipper had earlier sent a soaring punt downfield for a 50:22 lineout - more like a 70:22 in Te Kaha’s thin air.

The Crusaders botched that chance with a poor lineout throw - not their first of a frustrating night - but the Chiefs blew their reprieve when Josh Jacomb knocked on.

A scrum move saw Leicester Fainga’anuku deliver go-forward and the skipper scored between the sticks for a four-point lead. They survived a last-gasp Chiefs attack to close out a victory which may even give them a sniff of a home semifinal as they remain unbeaten - with three wins from three - under their new roof.

They remain fourth on the ladder but just two points behind the Blues.

The back row of Christian Lio-Willie (who got a vital late turnover), Fainga’anuku and Ethan Blackadder were excellent for the Crusaders, while Reece showed you can’t subdue Sevu for long with some of his old zip and brilliance in the lead-up for the Crusaders’ crucial first try of the second half.

The eagerly-awaited rivalry was a nailbiter but didn’t always live up to its billing with both sides guilty of giving away needless penalties.

The drama began before kickoff. One of the six Crusaders horses stumbled on the western sideline near halfway. The rider showed plenty of skill to ensure his steed did not lose its footing, but they were unable to complete the lap.

The first half was a feel-out affair with only a goalkick separating the arch rivals at the interval after three tries apiece - and two many needless penalties by both sides.

The Chiefs took the lead on three occasions, but each time the Crusaders rallied to peg the margin back. The difference was Jacomb’s two first-half conversions for the Chiefs, to just one by Rivez Reihana, whose radar was off-beam.

Even without Damian McKenzie the Chiefs’ backline showed spark. Especially for the first try where they spread the ball slickly and winger Liam Coombes-Fabling showed slip fielder’s hands to put Kyren Taumoefolau over in the corner in Will Jordan’s tackle.

The Crusaders had a try ruled out after video replays when Noah Hotham was adjudged to have strayed a foot into touch after scorching down the sideline from a clever quick lineout throw by Reece.

Chiefs coach Jono Gibbes would have fumed at his side’s ill-discipline in the lead-up to the equaliser. They were pinged for three successive penalties as the Crusaders launched lineout mauls, eventually profiting when Fainga’anuku crashed over in Luke Jacobson’s tackle.

But the Chiefs are Super Rugby’s supremos at the lineout maul. They made the Crusaders pay for a poor clearing kick by Havili and lax defence at the maul with Samisoni Taukei’aho snatching a copybook try.

Reece’s slashing break set up the field position that led to lock Jamie Hannah loping over in the corner in Coombes-Fabling’s tackle.

Another Crusaders’ infraction saw the Chiefs’ go-to maul tactic unfurled, ultimately eventuating in lock Josh Lord’s first Super Rugby try.

That gave the northerners a nine-point lead, but again the Crusaders struck back after a telling run from Havili and some strong Fainga’anuku carries. Christian Lio-Willie dotted down to cut the Chiefs’ halftime lead to two points.

A statement scrum penalty win by the Chiefs saw Jacomb extend the margin to 22-17, but the Crusaders countered with a brilliant try. Havili scooped up a loose ball, Reece hared down the touchline, staying in field and holding off his defender long enough to fling a fine pass for replacement Johnny McNicholl to score the first of his double.

But the Chiefs replied through Tupaea off a smart lineout move and they chose to kick a penalty for an eight-point lead.

Ultimately, it wasn’t enough because McNicholl hit back then Havili had the final say in a cliffhanger.