It was a game of inches in the air, scrums, and opportunities. The Chiefs scored two tries to one, but after some early issues at the scrum, the Crusaders took control when All Blacks prop Fraser Newell powered his way through the game, which was backed by belligerent and persistent running with the ball by loose forwards, Ethan Blackadder and Christian Lio-Willie especially. At the same time, locks Antonio Shalfoon and Scott Barrett and hookers Codie Taylor and George Bell backed them.
There was no farewell prize for Chiefs coach Clayton Mitchell, who has seen the side through to four finals in five years, but his side were never out of the contest, although in the second half, their ability to have sustained possession in the Crusaders' half cost them.
It was a cathartic win for the Crusaders after their miserable season in 2024, and they finished with their 13th Super Rugby title at 17 attempts, an outstanding record that will be unchallenged for many years, if ever.
While the forwards laid the foundation, it was supported with panache by first five-eighths Rivez Reihana, the recipient of the Man of the Match prize, whose control, accuracy in field kicking, coolness with goal-kicking and assuredness in decision-making belied his lack of exposure to top-level play.
He has revelled in the opportunities he received this season, and it was a fitting reward for his contribution to the side's efforts.
Each side made early statements; the Crusaders started with a 12-phase assault in the Chiefs' 22m area, and the Chiefs, after winning two scrum penalties and claiming a lineout from the home team, set up a 25-phase response.
The pressure resulted in the Chiefs moving the ball from a Crusaders' clearance, and when wing Emoni Narawa was hit by defending second five-eighths David Havili in a head-to-head clash after 11 minutes, he was sent to the sin-bin.
With a kick to the corner, the Chiefs set their maul to work, and it brought its reward when the forwards moved the ball to the goalmouth, where flanker Luke Jacobson fed a short pass to prop George Dyer, who scored.
When restored to XV with Havili's return, Reihana launched a kick downfield, and Chiefs' first five-eighths Damian McKenzie opted to let it roll before failing to get enough length in his return. From the lineout, the Crusaders worked their maul, and the Chiefs had two players, flanker Wallace Sititi and prop Ollie Norris, lose their bind. When they returned behind the penalty line, space opened on the blindside.
Hooker Codie Taylor spied space down the sideline and careered his way to catch the Chiefs' defence napping to run in the Crusaders' first try after 25 minutes. Reihana landed a sideline conversion and scored a penalty goal three minutes later.
Reihana landed a second penalty goal when Chiefs fullback Shaun Stevenson knocked on a Havili kick, and in the resulting play, a penalty was conceded.
But, after second five-eighths Quinn Tupaea secured another ball from the restart, and the Chiefs secured a lineout feed in the Crusaders' 22 after centre Braydon Ennor was forced to run a Chiefs kick across the sideline. From the lineout, the Chiefs hammered at the line, with Jacobson, Narawa and Tupaea each charging into the defence before the ball was slipped wide for Stevenson to score to get within a point at 13-12 at the break.
Into the second half, both sides were unable to capitalise on breakouts, and the Crusaders had two chances from lineouts to get their maul rolling, but at the second, Chiefs lock Tupou Vaa'i contested the ball and won the lineout that allowed them to clear their line. Then, they gained more ground when their replacement front row of Aidan Ross, Brodie McAlister and Reuben O'Neill gained a scrum penalty at their first attempt.
They had a chance when McKenzie had a penalty goal chance, but he was wide with his attempt.
Pressure in the middle stages of the half forced the Chiefs into a torrid defensive struggle, but they conceded nothing and managed a breakout without being able to add points.
The Crusaders finally gained the upper hand through their scrum, winning a 72nd-minute penalty, and saw Reihana land his third goal.
Followed by a lineout turnover, the Chiefs regained the ball, but the Crusaders' pressure gave them no breathing space, and they kept conceding ground. Replacement halfback Kyle Preston's kicking from the ruck base had the effect of pinning their Chiefs deep in their half.
There was no way through, and it was Crusaders finals nous that won the night.
Scorers: Crusaders 16 (Codie Taylor try; Rivez Reinaha con, 3 pen) Chiefs 12 (George Dyer, Shaun Stevenson tries; Damian McKenzie con). HT: 13-12