Defence trumped possession in the wet of Christchurch when the Crusaders were required to break competition tackling records to hold out the Chiefs for a semifinal 20–7 win in Super Rugby Pacific rugby in Christchurch on Friday.
Crusaders' coach Scott Robertson may have five championships to his credit, but going into big games like Friday's Super Rugby Pacific semifinal against the Chiefs in Christchurch can still cause some nervousness.
Memories of a win denied them by a last-second Beauden Barrett dropped goal, landed under a penalty advantage, is fuelling Brumbies hopes ahead of Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific semifinal at Eden Park.
The Brumbies will fly the Australian flag in the Super Rugby Pacific for another week after a comeback win in their quarter-final against the Hurricanes at GIO Stadium on Saturday night.
Former NRL superstar Roger Tuivasa-Sheck scored his first Super Rugby Pacific try as the Blues cruised through to the semifinals with a 35-6 win against the Highlanders at Eden Park.
Retiring Highlanders coach Tony Brown has known the best of times and some less memorable times but Saturday's Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal against the Blues represents a final chance to score a march in Auckland.
Making a strong start, and imposing their game, would be the goal for the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby Pacific quarterfinal against the Brumbies in Canberra on Saturday.
Melbourne have edged the Highlanders 31-30 in their final round clash but the Kiwi team grabbed a bonus point to leapfrog the Western Force into the Super Rugby Pacific finals.