Cruden: 'We'd rather win ugly than lose pretty'

Cape Town - Chiefs captain Aaron Cruden has spoken of the value of winning 'ugly' following his side's 17-11 Super Rugby quarter-final victory over the Stormers on Saturday.

The Waikato side were not at their free-flowing best and had Damian McKenzie to thank for his penalties as well as a Shaun Stevenson try while the Stormers scored though a try by captain Siya Kolisi and two penalties from SP Marais.

And Cruden says that while it 'wasn't the prettiest game', he is happy with the grit and determination shown by his side as they progress to the semi-finals where they will face the Crusaders in Christchurch next weekend.

"We live to fight another day and head back home to New Zealand for a semi-final in Christchurch," Cruden said at the post-match presentation.

"It took a massive effort. We are going to have to recover really well for next weekend.

"It probably wasn’t the prettiest game, but you have to be able to handle the pressure moments. We would rather win ugly than lose pretty."