The Chiefs have claimed their second big scalp in as many weeks with an extremely gutsy 24-19 victory over the Crusaders in Napier on Friday.

The Chiefs came out firing from the very start and had the Crusaders on the back foot, while some incredible courage under fire in the second half was required when the 'Saders fought their way back into contention.

A strong scrummaging performance aided the Chiefs to hold the Crusaders at bay, while some very brave defensive work was required at the death when the Crusaders went for one of their trade-mark late victories.

More to follow...

Scorers:

For Crusaders:
Try: Fruean
Con: Bleyendaal
Pens: Bleyendaal 4

For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, Taumalolo
Con: Cruden
Pens: Cruden 4

Teams:

Crusaders: 15 Sean Maitland, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Robbie Fruean, 12 Adam Whitelock, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Tyler Bleyendaal, 9 Andy Ellis, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Matt Todd, 6 George Whitelock, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Corey Flynn, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements: 16 Quentin MacDonald, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Luke Whitelock, 20 Willi Heinz, 21 Tom Taylor, 22 Tom Marshall.

Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai-Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke, 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Shane Cleaver, 18 Mike Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Andrew Horrell, 22 Jackson Willison.

Referee: Garratt Williamson (New Zealand)
Assistant referees: Mike Fraser (New Zealand), Nick Briant (New Zealand)
TMO: Richard Kelly (New Zealand)