Crusaders win 13th title, British & Irish Lions beaten

The British & Irish Lions slipped against the Pumas on Friday in Dublin, while the Crusaders rose on Saturday to claim a 13th Super Rugby Pacific crown. In the Top 14 play-offs, France’s top two Bordeaux and Toulouse are into the final. Here’s your weekend recap:

British & Irish Lions Tour

British & Irish Lions fall to Pumas in tour opener thriller

The British & Irish Lions suffered a 28–24 defeat to Argentina at a sold-out Aviva Stadium on Friday — their first opening tour match loss since 1971.

Despite tries from Bundee Aki and Tadhg Beirne, plus a penalty try, the Lions were outgunned by a sharp Pumas outfit led by flyhalf Tomás Albornoz, who scored a try, added three penalties, and kicked two conversions for an 18-point haul.

Seventeen Lions players were unavailable due to domestic commitments, yet Andy Farrell’s side showed moments of attacking fluency. But they also leaked three tries and struggled with Argentina’s structure and tempo.

The Pumas led 21–10 at half-time after capitalising on a late Lions error. A second-half surge briefly gave the hosts the lead, but Santiago Cordero’s pace restored Argentina’s advantage. A late penalty conceded by Beirne allowed the visitors to escape their line and close out a famous win — one celebrated with tears by the Argentine players.

The Lions now head to Australia for a three-Test series, encouraged by patches of promise but fully aware of the improvements needed.

Super Rugby Pacific

Crusaders grind down Chiefs to claim record 13th Super Rugby title

The Crusaders leaned on brute forward power and ruthless discipline to edge the Chiefs 16–12 in a brutal Super Rugby final in Christchurch, clinching a record-extending 13th title and reaffirming their dominance in playoff rugby.

Outscored two tries to one, the Crusaders made their moments count, with flyhalf Rivez Reihana’s 11 points off the tee proving the difference. The win stretched their unbeaten home playoff streak to 32 matches dating back to 1996.

It was a statement result for Rob Penney, who steered the Crusaders from missing the playoffs last season to 10 wins in their final 11 games — and to a title few predicted mid-season. Their 13 championships are now nine clear of the next-best team.

The Chiefs, runners-up for the third straight year, join the Lions (2016–18) in a painful place in the record books. They struck first through George Dyer while Crusaders skipper David Havili was in the bin for head contact. But Havili returned to spark a maul try from Codie Taylor, before Reihana slotted the conversion and two quick penalties.

A Shaun Stevenson try pulled the Chiefs within one just before half-time, but the second half belonged to the Crusaders’ pack. Reihana’s third penalty extended the lead, and from there, it was a chokehold. The Crusaders kept the ball in tight, dominated territory, and suffocated the Chiefs’ attacking threats.

For Chiefs coach Clayton McMillan — set to join Munster later this year — it was a frustrating farewell, as his side’s 2025 campaign ended just short once again.

 

Top 14

 

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