Overview

• Hooker Codie Taylor broke off a maul for the Crusaders’ lone try while Reihana added two penalties and a conversion to secure a 13-7 halftime lead.
• The Chiefs opened the scoring through first-half tries by George Dyer and Shaun Stevenson but were held scoreless after the break and have now lost three straight finals.
• Christchurch remained an unbreachable fortress as Canterbury extended their perfect home playoff record to 32 victories since 1996.
• Focused defensive pressure on Chiefs flyhalf Damian McKenzie stifled their attack in a tightly contested second half.
• Saturday’s match was the Crusaders’ final game at their temporary Christchurch stadium before moving into the rebuilt home ground.