Chiefs coach Warren Gatland was left "furious" after their 18-13 Super Rugby Aotearoa loss to the Crusaders in Christchurch on Sunday.

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It was the men from Hamilton's third straight defeat to start the tournament and leaves them rooted to the bottom of the standings.

Gatland, who will also coach the British and Irish Lions in South Africa next year, could not keep his frustrations in check when he lashed out at referee James Doleman.

In his post-match press conference, Gatland made it clear that the Crusaders should not have been awarded one of their two tries.

Gatland wasted little time questioning Doleman's decision not to penalise Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue for not rolling away at a ruck.

The Chiefs eventually cleared the ball, only for flyhalf Aaron Cruden to flick it into touch.
Crusaders wing Sevu Reece opted for a quick throw-in to send the speedy fullback Will Jordan away for a try and a 15-3 lead after 46 minutes.

"We were furious because we just felt the breakdown before it... we felt Goodhue should have been penalised. To me, it was a tough decision, and then for them to take a quick throw and us not to react to it," Gatland lamented.

He added: "I just thought it was a certain penalty to us, I thought Goodhue made a tackle, and he's ended up rolling into our side and slowed the ball down."