"Titanic Battle Ahead": Coaches, Captains React to Semi Finals
All BlacksJune 16, 2025
DHL Super Rugby Pacific's grand final will be between the best two teams from the season, the Crusaders and Chiefs, in Christchurch on Saturday.
Reactions from the two semifinals played at the weekend follow.
Crusaders 21 Blues 14
Crusaders coach Rob Penney
"The last few minutes were just heart and soul. The boys dug deep and showed how much it meant to them and how much they cared about this place. They wanted to get another week.
"Both sides were full of international class. They [the Blues] scored a nice try off an error in the first few minutes from us, and then Braids [Braydon Ennor] got yellow-carded, and they capitalised on that.
"The composure of our men was unbelievable to absorb that pressure.
"Then [we scored] 21 unanswered points and had quite good control until the last two or three minutes.
"I'm so rapt for the team and the outcome we got. It was deserved.
"I'm proud of how the group has reacted to a challenging programme. They're reaping the rewards of a lot of hard work. The joy on their faces, as you could see at the end, is precious and priceless.
"The Blues were champions last year and they came here with a lot of depth of spirit. They've had a bumpy season, but they pulled it all together at the back end and it took a good side to overcome them."
On facing the Chiefs after two earlier losses to them
"I don't think that's relevant. The teams have moved well past where they were even a month ago, and it's a one-off, cup-type situation where you get one chance. It'll come down to some moments. It'll be a titanic battle."
Crusaders fullback Will Jordan (who finished the game as captain)
"That last five minutes, I was out on the edge, not doing a lot apart from yelling and screaming, trying to gee the boys up. It was about 40-plus phases. It went down to the wire, and we got the one we needed.
"It was Test match-like, physically and mentally. They came out and punched us on the nose when we were down 14-0. We managed our emotions well, got back into the game and played well for the next 40-50 minutes, and in the last 10 minutes, we just managed to hang on.
"It's all about small moments in those big games, and we managed to win enough of them.
"Connection has been a huge thing for us this year. As a group we've galvanised and you could see that in the 86th minute with guys getting off the line looking to work for each other. That's what it is about."
Blues coach Vern Cotter
"We started well but were a little less accurate around the high ball, gave away a couple of penalties, and it was a night where as soon as you gave something, the opposition, especially the Crusaders, will take it and make you pay.
"Many things disrupted us in the performance – yellow cards, HIAs and around our front row. I'm proud of the way the boys hung in there and finished with some guts and determination.
"We didn't get there, but we could be proud of the effort and the intent.
"You're immediately disappointed for the players because they put a lot into it, and we've enjoyed the last couple of weeks.
"In the season, we had to work hard for everything. We couldn't keep the wind in our sails, and we've been inconsistent and constantly restarting.
"We always had belief and knew we were not far away. We lost three games by only a couple of points so all we needed to do was get in the six and we knew we would have a chance."
Chiefs 37 Brumbies 17
Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan
"We had good preparation and a fully dialled-in group. They knew what was at stake. They didn't start at 7.05 tonight; they started after last week's game [loss to the Blues], so we're proud of how they bounced back.
"[The Brumbies] came with a plan to test us in the air, a technical kicking game, and they owned the air, but they didn't get a lot of reward from the ones they did, and we managed to shut them down most of the time, and when you can shut it down you force them to find other options.
"We don't fear going down to Christchurch and playing the Crusaders. We're one team with our fair share of success down there, but we know it won't be easy. They have a formidable record, are a quality team, and have demonstrated that against the Blues. You've got to be at your best and take every opportunity.
"We've never shied away from the fact that we've been in the last two finals and haven't quite done the job.
"We've got to embrace the opportunity. It's in front of us to go down there and get it done.
"Our Achilles heel in the past has been that we've wanted something so bad that it becomes detrimental. Sometimes, you try a little too hard.
"All we have to do is back ourselves and do what we've done all year, play Chiefs' rugby."
On Damian McKenzie's try-saving act when getting a hand under the ball as fullback, Tom Wright attempted to score.
"It was huge; if they had scored that try, it would be game on again. It's little moments like that; if they score, they're right back in it.
"And so the desperation, the hustle and they nous to get your hand underneath ball and prevent that was a phenomenal. You need those."
Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson
"It was huge. It happened pretty quickly. Damian was disappointed with his defence on one of the earlier tries and that's the character he is, he doesn't go away."
On opting for penalty goal attempts rather than kicking to the corner.
"It's one the feel on the field. When we went to the corners, we were closer to the sideline. That's a hard kick, not a guaranteed three. You weigh those things up, what sort of strikes we've got, what we feel comfortable with.
"Tonight it was clear where the penalties were, and that made the decision for me."
Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham
"It went back and forth for the first 15 minutes, and our physicality was outstanding. Then, in the second half, there came a point where we were chasing the game and trying to hold the ball to score, and the conditions were tough to do that.
"There were a lot of areas we fell down.
"There's frustration because it's the same story as last year, and we've had this story for more than two years in a row now. It's not a good feeling.
"Noah Lolesio [HIA] is instrumental in his kicking game, and we missed him a little. He's our best goal-kicker. But, multiple other areas of our game systems were not where they needed to be.
"When our set-piece was letting us down a bit, you had to rely on your multi-phase attack, and it was tough to do that against a quality team that put a lot of pressure on us across the park.
"Two aspects of our game that are normally strong, that ability to hold the ball for long phases, and a good kick contest were two areas they were good at stopping us tonight."
Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa
"It probably came down to being accurate in little moments. We were trying to push our hand a bit when we wanted to score tries or to exit our end, and the Chiefs capitalised on that. We're disappointed in those little areas."
