Crusaders edge Chiefs 16-12 to Seal 13th Super Rugby title
Coide Taylor was part of the winning Crusaders side
©Steve Haag
Crusaders 16-12 Chiefs, Christchurch
The Crusaders once again proved why they are the gold standard of Super Rugby, grinding out a 16-12 win over the Chiefs in the 2025 Super Rugby Pacific final at a packed Apollo Projects Stadium in Christchurch.
In a final that was more war of attrition than exhibition of flair, the Crusaders showed their trademark defensive resilience and big-match temperament to secure their 13th overall title and a fifth consecutive championship in the Super Rugby Pacific era.
The match opened with a statement from the hosts. In just the 7th minute, Codie Taylor charged over the line after a lineout maul broke loose, catching the Chiefs flat-footed.
The try, converted by Rivez Reihana, gave the Crusaders a 7-0 lead and set the tone for a bruising first half. The Chiefs responded strongly with a try of their own through Shaun Stevenson, and although the conversion was missed, it narrowed the margin.
Soon after, both sides traded penalties. Reihana slotted another three points, as did Chiefs' playmaker Damian McKenzie, bringing the halftime score to 12-12 — a fair reflection of the even contest thus far.
In the second half, points came at a premium. Rivez Reihana’s 50th-minute penalty would be the last score of the match, edging the Crusaders into a 16-12 lead they would never relinquish.
It was a tense final 30 minutes, with the Chiefs camped in Crusaders territory at times, but the red wall refused to crack. McKenzie had one final chance with a long-range penalty attempt in the dying minutes, but his shot fell short, sealing the Crusaders' victory.
The Crusaders’ defence was, once again, the cornerstone of their success. The forwards controlled the tempo with tactical mauls, and the back row disrupted the Chiefs’ breakdown work effectively.
Captain Scott Barrett led from the front, while Reihana’s composed kicking under pressure earned him the man of the match honours.
This final also marked a significant farewell. Apollo Projects Stadium hosted its last major fixture before the team’s move to the new One New Zealand Stadium in 2026.
Fittingly, it bowed out in front of 17,000 fans with the Crusaders hoisting yet another trophy under the stars in Christchurch.
