History making Chiefs proud of win
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The Chiefs versus Crusaders fixture is one steeped in history and fierce rivalry, but for the first time ever, five tries were scored in an impressive showing for the Waikato team.
Tries from Sonny Bill Williams, Augustine Pulu, Charlie Ngatai, Tom Marshall and James Lowe sunk last years finalists with the Crusaders only managing to cross the line once through Andy Ellis.
Crusaders head coach Todd Blackadder was clearly unhappy after the match.
"We just got outplayed everywhere and the defence was part of that," Blackadder said."There were so many turnovers at the wrong times, and bang, they just punished us.
"They put us under pressure, cleaned us out all over the field and when we lost the ball they pounced.
"There were just too many 'soft' outs right across the board."
On the other hand, Post match, Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was stoked with how the team performed against a renowned tough rival and took away quite a few positives.
"I think for the majority of the game, we controlled it pretty well," Rennie said.
"We got over the chalk five times which has never been done in the history of the Chiefs and Crusaders,.
Centre Ngatai also shared his coach's thoughts and found it was pleasing to put a solid team performance together to get a win over a gritty a Crusaders team.
"The Crusaders really brought it to us in the first half and it's one of those games where you have to grind out the full 80 minutes," he said.
"But it really pleasing with the score at the end of the game."Next up for the in form Chiefs are the Highlanders next Friday where they will expect another tough challenge.
While Rennie admitted there were some injury concerns, namely lock and All Black Brodie Retallick who appeared to suffer a knock to his shoulder, he was confident there was enough depth in the squad for the a tough encounter next week.
"They'll [Highlanders] come up here knowing that they've beaten us here before, and take confidence from that.
"We certainly won't be looking at it lightly," he concluded.
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