History was against the Chiefs beating a Crusaders team who had not lost to them in nine years - and trying to break their New Zealand rivals' 24-game home winning streak into the bargain.

But bruising forward play and tenacious defence won Friday night's match 30-24 as the Crusaders, who top the standings on points difference from the Blues,  continued to stumble late in the season.

The Crusaders got off to a fantastic start, pinning the Chiefs on their own line right from the kick-off, and then opening the scoring with a Stephen Brett penalty goal. Conceding early points seemed to spur the Chiefs into action as they dominated the next ten minutes before levelling things up via a Stephen Donald penalty.

After Donald and Brett traded further penalties, Ross Filipo scored the first try of the match. Brett made a break from his own 22, fed his support players, and the ball ended up with Filipo, who crashed over for Brett to convert.

Two further penalty goals kept the Chiefs in touch, before Mills Muliaina made a break down the left and put through a grubber kick for winger Sitiveni Sivivatu to score in the corner. Donald added yet another penalty right on half time to give the Chiefs a 20-13 lead.

The Crusaders continued to struggle against the rushing Chiefs defence in the second half, frequently being caught behind the advantage line. But where the Crusaders struggled, the Chiefs excelled, keeping the ball in hand for long phases and slowly advancing downfield.

Brett kept the Crusaders close with another penalty goal, before Chiefs’ centre Richard Kahui had a chance to seal the game. With the ball wide on the right, Kahui put a grubber kick between the legs of Crusaders hooker Corey Flynn, then toed the ball into the in-goal area. But a wicked bounce took the ball away from Kahui, who knocked on attempting to ground it.

The Crusaders took advantage of the let-off to cut the lead to just one point via another Brett penalty - but promptly squandered their advantage by conceding three points just a minute later.

The game was finally put beyond doubt when Sivivatu sprinted in for his second try after an aimless kick by the Crusaders.

Seeing their chances of a home semi-final slipping away, the Crusaders poured everything they had into the final five minutes, and captain Richie McCaw crashed over on the stroke of full time to give them a vital bonus point.

Several players did their All Blacks chances a boost, such as Chiefs No.8 Sione Lauaki, who always seemed to break the first tackle on his many bullocking runs, and lock Keith Robinson, who dominated at the lineout, stealing several opposition throws. But Crusaders No.8 Mose Tuiali’i damaged his international chances with a poor performance at the base of the scrum, frequently taking poor options and putting his half-back under pressure.

The win temporarily put the Chiefs up to third on the table, but they can still fall outside the top four depending on other results this weekend. Their failure to secure a bonus point makes it easier for the chasing teams to get past them. However, the bonus point for the Crusaders virtually assures them second place and a home semi-final.

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