Blues Upset Chiefs, Semifinals Set in Super Rugby Pacific
Dramatic Playoff Wins Advance Four Teams to Final Four
A stunning upset by the Blues and a dominant performance by the Brumbies have finalized the Super Rugby Pacific semifinal matchups. The Blues shocked the Chiefs 20-19, while the Brumbies powered past the Hurricanes 35-28, setting the stage for compelling clashes next weekend.
Blues Stun Chiefs in Tight Contest
The Blues secured a narrow victory over the Chiefs in a fiercely contested match. Their defensive resilience and ability to capitalize on late penalties proved crucial in securing the win. According to World Rugby, playoff matches have a 78% chance of being decided by seven points or less, highlighting the intense competition.
“There’s a lot of satisfaction, tempered by the fact that it’s one game. There’s another one next week. It shows the boys were locked in and determined.”
—Vern Cotter, Blues coach
Vern Cotter emphasized the team’s focus and determination, noting their ability to adapt to the Chiefs’ initial direct attack. The Blues’ captain, Patrick Tuipulotu, highlighted the team’s cohesion and ability to maintain possession in the second half.
The Chiefs, despite a strong first half, struggled with discipline and lineout errors in the closing stages. Clayton McMillan, the Chiefs coach, acknowledged the Blues’ desperation and their ability to exploit those weaknesses.
“That was a good old finals grind, and in the last 15-20 minutes, we struggled to exit on the back of a misfiring lineout and a few discipline issues, especially in the last little bit.”
—Clayton McMillan, Chiefs coach
Crusaders Cruise Past Reds
In a contrasting result, the Crusaders delivered a comprehensive performance, defeating the Reds 32-12. The Crusaders extended their remarkable playoff winning streak to 30 games, showcasing their dominance in the competition.
Rob Penney, the Crusaders coach, praised his team’s application of pressure and ability to convert opportunities into points. He also highlighted the contributions of key players like David Havili and Scott Barrett.
“It was a comprehensive display, and we’ve set ourselves up for another opportunity.”
—Rob Penney, Crusaders coach
The Reds coach, Les Kiss, acknowledged the Crusaders’ strength and their ability to leverage set-piece dominance. He noted the difficulty of overcoming the Crusaders’ home advantage, having only beaten them once in 26 years.
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Brumbies Overcome Hurricanes
The Brumbies secured a hard-fought 35-28 victory over the Hurricanes, earning their place in the semifinals. A strong forward performance and effective pick-and-go play were key to their success.
Steve Larkham, the Brumbies coach, praised his forwards’ outstanding performance and highlighted the importance of a dominant set-piece in finals rugby. However, he also acknowledged some issues with their lineout.
“There’s a big challenge in front of us coming up against the Chiefs in Hamilton. We’ve been in this situation multiple times but are happy to have won that game.”
—Steve Larkham, Brumbies coach
The Hurricanes coach, Clark Laidlaw, expressed disappointment with his team’s performance, citing breakdowns in defense and an inability to capitalize on opportunities. Du’Plessis Kirifi, the Hurricanes captain, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the need to learn from the defeat.
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The Super Rugby Pacific semifinals will see the Crusaders host the Blues on Friday, and the Chiefs face the Brumbies on Saturday. These matches promise intense competition as teams battle for a place in the final.
