The Crusaders celebrate in Christchurch on Saturday night. Photo: Super Rugby Pacific
Former NSW coach Rob Penney earned a redemption after his Crusaders side claimed their 13th Super Rugby title, and 32nd consecutive home finals win, at Christchurch on Saturday.
The Crusaders won 16-12 against their Northern rivals the Chiefs based in no small part on their scrum superiority.
Penney was sacked by the Waratahs in 2021, halfway into his contract, and was under similar pressure after the Crusaders missed the play-offs last season for the first time ever.
However, the Crusaders board voted to show faith in him and kept him on for the 2025 season.
Meanwhile, for former Wallaby James O’Connor, who began his Super Rugby career in 2008, it was his first grand final – and title.
He was able to take to the field about a minute from fulltime and is now reportedly heading to Leicester in the UK after he was not named in the Wallabies squad to face Fiji on July 6.
For the Chiefs, the result marks their third straight grand final defeat.
The Crusaders were troubled early when centre David Havili was sin-binned in the 12th minute and the Chiefs pounced minutes later when prop George Dyer dived over under the posts.
The hosts struck back via a blindside try to hooker Codie Taylor, and the goalposts lit up during the conversion, as the Crusaders piled on the pressure.
Two penalties to Rivez Reihana gave them the lead before the Chiefs replied with a try to fullback Shaun Stevenson to trail 13-12 at the break.
Neither side could find a way through the other as the Crusaders’ scrum went to work, eventually winning the crucial penalty to seal the result.
For the Chiefs. their Australian-born and All Black capped prop Aidan Ross, who started on the bench, will join Queensland next season.
He has also been touted for a possible early Wallaby call-up for the Lions series.
PUMAS WIN BATTLE OF THE BIG CATS
Argentina scored two tries as they won the 1888 Cup in a 28-24 win over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin on Saturday (local time).
Fly-half Tomas Albornoz’s breakaway try almost on half-time and reserve winger Santiago Cordero’s sprint to score in the corner midway through the second half helped seal the result.
The Lions scored three tries to Bundee Aki, a penalty try and Tadhg Beirne.
But Argentina, helped by three penalties and an early try from winger Ignacio Mendy, led for much of the match.
The match was seen as a warm-up for the Lions as they prepare to visit Australia for a nine-match tour which includes three Tests.
Their first game is in Perth against the Western Force this Saturday (June 28).
