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Crusaders v Chiefs - The Hard Numbers
By Sam Smith
The Crusaders host the Chiefs in an all New Zealand semi final in Christchurch this weekend where they will look to continue an incredible home finals winning streak.
The Chiefs have had the wood on the Crusaders in recent finals meetings however the Crusaders appear back to their dominant best. Read on for all the key numbers ahead of this one which is bound to be a real thriller.
- The Crusaders won 31-24 when these teams met in Round 13 this season, their first win against the Chiefs since 2014; they’ll now be looking for back-to-back wins against them for the first time since Round 14, 2011.
- This will be the third Finals meeting between these teams after they met in the semi-finals of both 2012 and 2013, the Chiefs earning wins in both but by no more than three points on either occasion.
- The Crusaders have never lost a Finals fixture when playing as the home team on the day (W17).
- The Crusaders (17m 47secs) average the most time in possession of any team so far this season, while the Chiefs (14m 19secs) average the least.
- Only Damian McKenzie (74) has beaten more defenders than David Havili (58) so far this campaign.
- James Lowe has made 37 clean breaks so far this season, four more than any other player, and has found the try line in five of his last six games against the Crusaders.
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Latest Comments
wel the crusaders were beaten by a queensland reds side that hadnt beaten them at home since 1999 and queensland reds partied like it was 1999
Go to commentsThink it was a great defensive performance by Northampton. They didn't have stage fright in the first half, the Nienaber defense smothered them. They limited Leinster to 15-3 in the first half. It could have been over by then. A great try from Leinster in the start of the second half looked to have sealed it. But Byrne missed another conversion. Northampton started trying little kicks behind the Leinster wingers. Leinster messed one and Smith brilliantly made the conversion. Leinster decided to tighten the game after Byrne missed a straight forward penalty. A few errors got NH into the 22 and they scored and converted with a few minutes left. Another brilliant steal from Lawes saw NH have a final attack which was turned over by Conan. A classic semi final. World record attendance of 82,300. Leinsters 3 week preparation warranted for this one.
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