A Super Rugby Pacific season celebrated for its unpredictability and vibrancy was ironically decided in a crash-bang-wallop struggle of kick tennis in Christchurch, with a familiar winner emerging.
The rejuvenated Crusaders stubbornly muscled their way to a gritty 16-12 victory over the perennial runners-up, the Chiefs.
The Chiefs had scored 348 points in the second half of matches throughout the 2025 season; however, they managed none in the final, as they were eventually suppressed into submission by the courageous Crusaders.
Who stood up in the final?
Codie Taylor
Has Taylor ever run so far for a Crusaders try? Typically, the scorer of 48 tries latches onto the back of a rolling maul. However, his 25-meter dash down the sideline was a significant momentum swinger. The Crusaders’ lineout won 17 of 21 throws, with Taylor only giving away two. He also contributed 12 tackles and 10 carries.
Fletcher Newell
Another monumental 80 minutes from the redoubtable tighthead prop began terribly, as he conceded three penalties in just ten minutes. Chiefs loosehead Ollie Norris scrimmaged wth early venom, but the Raingora Ramrod rebounded with vengeance, helping the Crusaders scrum become imperious, fittingly earning the penalty from which the last scoring act occurred. A dozen tackles and ten carries complemented the smashing scrums.
Antonio Shalfoon
He won a third of the Crusaders’ lineout possession and topped their tackle count with 18. Rugged and clinical, his partnership with All Blacks captain Scott Barrett (who had 17 tackles, 10 carries, 4 lineout catches, and 2 turnovers) has grown increasingly formidable.
Ethan Blackadder
“Ethan the Engine” soared in the slog with 21 carries and 16 tackles. At one stage, he even attempted to drop a goal but tripped over himself in a rare moment of slapstick. Christian Lio-Willie wasn’t far behind in the tireless labour department. He finished the season as the Crusaders’ top tackler with 210.
Tupou Vaa’i
The most effective forward in a Chiefs pack that was haemorrhaging, he topped the tackle count with 20. His lineout work was exceptional, occasionally disrupting the Crusaders’ vice-like grip.
Reviz Reihana
The Super Rugby title is no longer exclusively reserved for star tens in Christchurch. Reviz Reihana’s steady hand has earned him a place among legends like Andrew Mehrtens, Daniel Carter, and Richie Mo’unga with a sword on the Rugby Park honours board.
Reihana started in the last six Crusaders victories, scoring 55 points and only being substituted for 12 minutes. He is a composed and astute performer who plays smartly, successfully kicking four goals from four attempts, including the sideline conversion of Codie Taylor’s try.
Interestingly, Reihana hails from Northland, a province with a special connection to the Crusaders. In their first title win in 1998, late winger Norm Berryman was that year’s leading try scorer for the Crusaders. Lock Norm Maxwell famously sprinted clear for a try in the final against the Blues at Eden Park.
Meanwhile, the record for the most wins by an individual in Super Rugby without a title belongs to Tendai Mtawarira, who has 96 wins in 159 matches for the Sharks. Unfortunately, Chiefs first-five Damian McKenzie is quickly catching up, with 91 wins in 140 matches. Kurtley Beale holds the Aussie record with 91 wins.
Quinn Tupaea
The backs made little headway, with Tupaea gaining just 22 meters from 13 carries. However, the robust second-five, now a more nuanced player since his injury, contributed in other ways. He pilfered two restarts and kicked strategically, gaining valuable ground. Any traffic directed toward the Tupea/Rona tandem was contained, with the duo racking up 20 tackles with only one miss.
Will Jordan
The All Blacks fullback skillfully defused an aerial bombardment, contrasting with the Chiefs, who became jittery. The 73 kicks in the match mirrored the dire spectacle of the 2019 Rugby World Cup semi-final between the Springboks and Wales. Gained a game-high 61 metres from 17 carries.
Brad Mooar
Much has been said about Rob Penny’s coaching redemption, but let’s not forget about Brad Mooar, who has quietly returned to the Crusaders’ coaching staff and captured a fourth Super Rugby title. Mooar’s controversial departure as an assistant from the All Blacks in 2022 is tersely mentioned on pages 160 and 161 of Ian Foster’s new book, Leading Under Pressure. Do we deserve more of an explanation? Four Super Rugby titles are four more than Foster ever won as the Chiefs’ mentor.
Apollo Projects Stadium
To the delight of non-Canterbrians, the makeshift venue constructed after the tragic 2011 earthquakes will soon be consigned to the dustbin of history with the opening of Te Kaha in 2026. With a playoff record of 32-0, the dingy fortress is the stuff of legend in the Garden City. The Crusaders have won 98 of their 119 matches at the arena, including a record unbeaten streak of 36 consecutive matches. On 64 occasions, the Crusaders led at halftime and went on to win 61 times. The Chiefs were the most successful visitors, winning six of their 16 meetings.
