Former Wales boss Warren Gatland continues to make his mark in Super Rugby as his Chiefs side pulled off yet another stunning second-half fightback - this time, against reigning champions Crusaders.
No stranger to his fair share of fightbacks from his time with Wales, it's the second time in as many weeks his side have turned around a half-time deficit
Last week, the Chiefs were in all sorts of bother as they trailed the Auckland Blues 19-5 at half time, but they managed to storm back thanks to the introduction of fly-half Aaron Cruden to eventually run out 37-29 winners.
But this weekend's 25-15 win will be all the more sweeter, given it was against three-time defending champions, Christchurch-based Crusaders.
A crowd of more than 10,000 had gathered for the Kiwi derby in Hamilton on Saturday night local time, where Crusaders opened their account just four minutes in with the first of two Sevu Reece tries. A solid defensive shift from Gatland's side and a try from Solomon Alaimalo kept the hosts in the game as they trailed 12-8 at half time.
But momentum quickly shifted back the way of the Chiefs just minutes into the second act, resulting in a try from Chiefs' Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, with Sean Wainui following suit in the third quarter. Cruden added the extras for both, and slotted a penalty over at 79 minutes to make it 25-15 at the final whistle.
It was a gutsy display from the Chiefs , helped by some ill-discipline from the Crusaders, and a win that's seen the side tipped to be Super Rugby title contenders.
New Zealand website Stuff hailed the side as the comeback kings, writing: "It was the sixth successive Kiwi derby that the Chiefs had found themselves behind at halftime. But it was the fourth time they hadn't lost one.
"The crowd were left with yet more confidence in this reinvigorated franchise under Warren Gatland, who have now taken an early lead in the New Zealand conference, following their similarly stunning second-half surge against the Blues in round one."
The New Zealand Herald wrote: "When the Chiefs hosted the Crusaders in Hamilton, Warren Gatland's toothy grin told the tale of the tussle.
"While the scoreline didn't necessarily reflect it, this was a dominant showing for the Chiefs. Early lapses might have cost them, but for the best part of 60 minutes, the Chiefs overpowered the Crusaders across the park.
"While the Chiefs had their struggles – early defensive lapses and mediocre lineout execution among them – it was a convincing performance against the defending champions that firmly cements the Chiefs as title contenders."
