Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Analysis - It is somewhat ironic that after all the hype and talk of this being the most exciting Super Rugby season in years, we've ended up with a very traditional looking final. The Crusaders will host the Chiefs next weekend, in one last hurrah for both the visitors' coach Clayton McMillan and the accursed home ground of the 14-time champions.
McMillan will be hoping to avoid leaving New Zealand with the record of three losing finals in a row, and while he'll be missed, it's unlikely anyone will feel the same about Apollo Projects Stadium. The supposedly temporary ground has ended up being the home for the Crusaders for just as long as Lancaster Park ever was, with the team set to move to the new, very much improved and massively overdue One NZ Stadium next year.
But while both sides will be outwardly focused on that match, there will be a bit in the back of the minds of a few players regarding the All Black squad naming on the Monday after. While almost everyone in it will presumably be locked in, the weekend's two games did provide a few talking points about what might happen when Scott Robertson's team actually takes the field.
Advantage DMac
Damian McKenzie of the Chiefs, Chiefs v Brumbies Super Rugby Pacific semi final. Photo: Jeremy Ward/www.photosport.nz
A week after Beauden Barrett won a fairly comfortable points decision win over Damian McKenzie in the Blues' victory against the Chiefs, McKenzie struck back with his best performance of the season. While the 37-17 scoreline over the Brumbies may appear comfortable, it was anyone's game near the end of the first half.
However, McKenzie's influence on the game became apparent, nailing all but one of his shots at goal for 22 points and consistently sending the ball skyward for his team mates to successfully contest.
Meanwhile, Barrett was good in the Blues' 21-14 loss to the Crusaders but unable to play the sort of match-winning hand he did a week ago. It does feel like these have been All Black trials in all but name, with McKenzie now having one more chance to earn the 10 jersey next weekend.
A reminder about discipline
Referee James Doleman. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
Both semis involved ultimately costly yellow cards, firstly Braydon Ennor and Josh Fusitu'a's resulting in tries scored against their respective sides on Friday night. But Hoskins Sotutu having to watch the Blues' campaign end from the bin will be the most disappointing, as his large frame should've been a crucial factor for their final assault on the Crusaders' line. Tupou Vaa'i's yellow in the first half of the Chiefs v Brumbies game allowed the Australians to score the first try and dictate the pace of the game almost till the halftime hooter sounded.
It's a timely reminder that the margin for error in test match rugby is extremely fine, with unnecessary yellows playing a big part in three of the All Blacks' four losses last year.
Assign a team of medical professionals for Ethan Blackadder
Ethan Blackadder of the Crusaders. Photo: © Photosport Ltd 2025 www.photosport.nz
The Crusaders blindside was outstanding against the Blues, which ultimately makes his frequent injury issues just that much more frustrating. A consistently fit Blackadder would change the All Black loose forward picture dramatically and for the better, so while he will certainly be named, the challenge is to make sure his body holds up.
Reduce his training workload? Hire more doctors and physios? Send him off to see Waisake Naholo's uncle? All viable options.
The importance of nailing kick-offs
Quinn Tupaea competes for the ball with Andy Muirhead. Photo: Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz
Both games involved rapid responses in the form of tries scored directly after play had been restarted, firstly Tom Christie going over just as the Blues had established a 14-0 lead. McKenzie kicked a penalty to swing momentum back to the Chiefs after Corey Toole had scored for the Brumbies, then Emoni Narawa went over for a try when Toole crossed again after halftime.
The most spectacular example ended up not being a try though, when Tom Wright plucked the kick-off out of the air and set sail up field, only to be denied by McKenzie getting his hand underneath the ball as they slid across the tryline.
