The Chiefs delivered more playoffs heartbreak for the Crusaders on Saturday night, setting up a second successive Super Rugby home final with a thrilling 20-19 win in Hamilton.
Outplayed in the first half and trailing 9-3, the home side produced an inspired second spell to mirror last year's 20-17 win over the same opponents in the same fixture.
Seventeen points in the first 17 minutes of the second period - including tries to winger Asaeli Tikoirotuma and five-eighth Aaron Cruden - set up victory over a Crusaders side who dominated most facets.
The visitors had crushed all before them in their previous five games, including a 43-15 hammering of the Chiefs in Christchurch on July 5.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie was in no doubt why his team had improved so much in three weeks.
"While you don't want to talk about those things at the time, our attitude (in Christchurch) wasn't quite right and maybe we weren't quite as desperate because we had qualified for the playoffs," said Rennie.
"It was a massive effort in the second half. We're really proud of the effort but we need another one next week."
The seven-time champions lost their nerve when it counted to continue a dreadful recent playoff run.
They have reached the semi-finals in each of the last five seasons but have failed to add to their trophy cabinet. Four exits have come at the semi-finals stage.
Blackadder admitted to a sinking feeling of deja vu.
"The Chiefs showed real pride and guts and courage, and we didn't nail our opportunities," he said.
"The fact that we didn't quite take them - I don't think it's the reflection of a bad team."
Crusaders five-eighth Dan Carter landed three penalty goals to Cruden's one in the first half, reflecting the visitors' early superiority.
It was all Chiefs throughout the third quarter as Cruden's second penalty was followed by a try to Japan-bound Masaga, who powered through the heart of the Crusaders pack from a standing start 15m out.
Cruden put the Chiefs 11 points clear with an intercept try, gleefully collecting a blind pass from centre Ryan Crotty and scooting 50m.
Crusaders fullback Israel Dagg hit straight back with a brilliant solo try, defeating the Chiefs' front-line and cover defence with two memorable outside swerves.
Carter's sideline conversion, followed by his fourth penalty with six minutes to play, set up a classic finish.
However, Carter's second missed dropped goal attempt of the game was the closest they came to regaining the lead.
The Chiefs will host the final next Saturday against either the Bulls or Brumbies, who meet in the second semi-final in Pretoria on Sunday morning (AEST).
It will be the Chiefs' third final. They lost to the Bulls in Pretoria in 2009 but won last year at home to the Sharks 37-6.
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