Tenacity, sheer resolve as well as a vital intercept attempt by Aaron Cruden booked the Chiefs an area in the Tremendous Rugby closing soon after they conquer the Crusaders at Waikato Stadium very last night.
In the pulsating semifinal,
Chiefs withstood a late comeback from your seven-time champions who had been struggling to capitalise over a 9-3 direct and yet again choked in opposition to the new Zealand meeting winners
Crusaders first five-eighth Dan Carter had the chance to put his side into the lead with three minutes left when he snapped off a drop goal from a handy position but pushed it wide.
Now the Chiefs will host the final next weekend against the winner of this morning's other semi between the Bulls and Brumbies in Pretoria.
Chiefs right wing Lelia Masaga is known as a deadly finisher capable of twisting on a dime but it was his brute strength and determination during an 18m run that enabled him to surge through George Whitelock's tackle for the first try of the evening and put his side ahead in the 51st minute.
Cruden's conversion - he scored 15 of his side's points and slotted four of his kicks - pushed their side ahead 13-9 and they were never headed. News Source : stuff.co.nz
The Manawatu No 10 - it should be no surprise he was recently voted the Chiefs player of the year by his coaches - again proved why All Blacks fans are blessed to have him as Carter's understudy when he intercepted Ryan Crotty's pass after he had turned his pass to make the delivery.
Crusaders' reply was immediate. Fullback Israel Dagg skinned three men to cross over in the corner and Carter's conversion closed the gap to just four points and what followed was what finals football is all about.
Eventually Cruden was given a chance to push his side further ahead with a penalty and missed - but Carter didn't fail with his chance to bang over a penalty to close the gap to just one point.
As softening-up periods go, there was nothing subtle about the opening 20 minutes. Although no tries were scored - the Crusaders led by two Carter penalties to Cruden's one - the two opponents kept the 24,000 fans on edge as they repeatedly banged bodies.
playmaker kicked three of his four penalties and could have nudged the Crusaders further ahead had he not produced a worm-burner for a drop goal attempt on the stroke of halftime.
Chiefs withstood a late comeback from your seven-time champions who had been struggling to capitalise over a 9-3 direct and yet again choked in opposition to the new Zealand meeting winners
Crusaders first five-eighth Dan Carter had the chance to put his side into the lead with three minutes left when he snapped off a drop goal from a handy position but pushed it wide.
Now the Chiefs will host the final next weekend against the winner of this morning's other semi between the Bulls and Brumbies in Pretoria.
Chiefs right wing Lelia Masaga is known as a deadly finisher capable of twisting on a dime but it was his brute strength and determination during an 18m run that enabled him to surge through George Whitelock's tackle for the first try of the evening and put his side ahead in the 51st minute.
Cruden's conversion - he scored 15 of his side's points and slotted four of his kicks - pushed their side ahead 13-9 and they were never headed. News Source : stuff.co.nz
The Manawatu No 10 - it should be no surprise he was recently voted the Chiefs player of the year by his coaches - again proved why All Blacks fans are blessed to have him as Carter's understudy when he intercepted Ryan Crotty's pass after he had turned his pass to make the delivery.
Crusaders' reply was immediate. Fullback Israel Dagg skinned three men to cross over in the corner and Carter's conversion closed the gap to just four points and what followed was what finals football is all about.
Eventually Cruden was given a chance to push his side further ahead with a penalty and missed - but Carter didn't fail with his chance to bang over a penalty to close the gap to just one point.
As softening-up periods go, there was nothing subtle about the opening 20 minutes. Although no tries were scored - the Crusaders led by two Carter penalties to Cruden's one - the two opponents kept the 24,000 fans on edge as they repeatedly banged bodies.
playmaker kicked three of his four penalties and could have nudged the Crusaders further ahead had he not produced a worm-burner for a drop goal attempt on the stroke of halftime.
