Super Rugby: Chiefs edge out Crusaders 27-21 in Christchurch
By AP Sport
Last Updated: 02/03/16 1:20pm
Chiefs captain Sam Cane scored from a lineout drive three minutes from time to clinch a 27-21 victory over the Crusaders in the opening round of Super Rugby in Christchurch.
Full-back Damian McKenzie had converted his own try nine minutes earlier to give the Chiefs a 22-21 advantage in a match in which the lead changed hands five times.
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But it took Cane's try from a concerted lineout drive late on to finally decide a contest in which the largest lead enjoyed by either side was six points.
Richie Mo'unga stepped into the boots of retired All Blacks fly-half Dan Carter to score 16 points for the Crusaders, helping his team to a 21-15 lead before two late tries sealed the Chiefs' victory.
Mo'unga kicked two penalties to give the Crusaders a 6-0 lead midway through a scrappy first half which saw both teams rely on speculative kicks to try and create attacking opportunities.
The Chiefs reduced the deficit with a long-range penalty from McKenzie before taking the lead when winger Shaun Stevenson stripped the ball from David Havili to score the opening try.
Mo'unga put the Crusaders ahead 13-8 at half-time with a try which followed a powerful scrum push.
All Blacks back-rower Kieran Read detached and fed Mo'unga who took advantage of the mis-alignment of the Chiefs backline to score.
The Chiefs reclaimed the lead at 15-13 when Seta Tamanivalu crossed but the Crusaders fought back and edged ahead again when Havili scored a try in the 50th minute.
Mo'unga extended the lead to 21-15 with his last penalty before the Chiefs finished strongly to nip over the line twice and secure an opening-round win.
