Batman:networkn:Outstanding defense by the Crusaders and some inaccurate attack by the Chiefs. Damien McKenzie was outstanding tonight, he really is a bit of a freak. The Chiefs seemed to get everything they went for in the air. Matt Todd was again incredible.
The try from the RM second tackle to ID was something that the Chiefs usually get in their games, in their favour. It was nice to see some of the luck of the bounce go the Crusaders way..
Funny how you don't complain about the ref going back on his try call just as DM was about to take his conversion kick. Because if he nailed that it MIGHT have been a very different story. And a very whingy Crusader here.
The ref didn't go back on his call, he didn't even ask the TMO to check it. The TMO interjected on his own. The disallowed try was a turning point in the game but the Crusaders converted their chances while the Chiefs squandered theirs. Great defence by the Crusaders. I'm kind of glad they won by more than 7 because I hate when a contentious Ref's decision decides a match. That, and with this morning's result, if the Chiefs had been forced back on an aeroplane to the Republic, they would have probably got beaten by a record score.
Which brings me to this morning's game. Barrett's yellow card was a crock. It was neither a professional foul or foul play. There was no repeated infringements and no warning had been issued. The Lions player placed the ball on Barrett's leg while he was trying to extricate himself from the ruck. A penalty at most, it materially affected the game with the Hurricanes down to 14 as the oxygen debt at altitude started to kick in. Instead of trying to hang in for the last 20 they were forced to chase the game.
I had great faith in Peyper as a ref prior to this game, but now, not so much. Hopefully Angus Gardner will be officiating the final.