A late surge from the Crusaders saw them defeat the Chiefs 43-33 in a thrilling Super Rugby Pacific encounter at FMG Stadium Waikato in Hamilton on Saturday, February 28, 2026. The match, a rematch of the 2025 final, saw the Chiefs race to an early lead, but the Crusaders responded with 36 unanswered points to secure the victory.
The Chiefs initially dominated, with Quinn Tupaea instrumental in the opening try. Starting a counter-attack following lineout struggles, Tupaea broke a tackle and offloaded to Tupou Vaa’i, who then found captain Luke Jacobson with a clever pass. Jacobson returned the favour, delivering an audacious offload back to Vaa’i, who powered over the line to score. Leroy Carter then extended the Chiefs’ advantage with a remarkable 95-meter try, showcasing his pace, and skill.
However, the Crusaders mounted a determined comeback. Will Jordan proved pivotal, consistently challenging the Chiefs’ defense and contributing to a try for Noah Hotham. Christian Lio-Willie also scored twice for the Crusaders, turning the tide of the match. A penalty slotted by Taha Kemara before halftime gave the Crusaders a narrow 24-21 lead.
Former All Black Jeremy Dagg, speaking on Sport Nation NZ, highlighted Vaa’i’s exceptional athleticism and ball-handling skills. “Is Tupou Vaa’i the best, the most skillful player from a forwards point of view? You look at his hands, that try that he scored towards the end of that game, like that pass was not great,” Dagg said. “It was right in front of him, and he puts his mitts out. And I’m like, You got super glue on there? You got Gorilla Glue? Given that it just stuck.” Dagg also praised Vaa’i’s agility and mobility, noting his ability to cover ground effectively.
Jordan’s impact was also lauded by Dagg. “I reckon Will Jordan has started the season well… he was just so influential, how fast is that kid? Like I was looking at that moment where he stepped on the inside of two defenders, made a little break, and then throws a 30 Meter long ball, and I’m thinking, wow Here’s whilst going at full pace.”
The match also saw a strong performance from Chiefs winger Leroy Carter, who recently re-signed with the club and New Zealand Rugby through to the end of 2027, according to a September 9, 2025 announcement. Dagg noted Carter was showing signs of being more than a “one season wonder” and displaying “genuine pace.”
In the closing moments, Jordan’s defensive prowess was on full display, heroically chasing down Carter and dislodging the ball, effectively sealing the Crusaders’ victory. The Crusaders’ comeback secured their first win of the season, while the Chiefs suffered a setback in their campaign.
