ESL ANZ Champs Season 14: Renegades claim first national title of 2022 in 3-0 whitewash of Vertex

Vertex may have gone down in the ESL ANZ Champs grand final, but try telling them that — both Vertex and Renegades will represent Oceania at the ESL Pro League Conference in Jönköping later in June.

Nevertheless, Renegades emerge as the kings of Oceania once more with their 3-0 (1-0, 16-12, 16-11) victory in the ESL ANZ Champs grand final — their first national title for the calendar year.

Jay “Liazz” Tregillgas (51-27, 1.58 rating) is back to his best in this RNG unit, with his 30-bomb on Nuke his first in over two years since his tenure in 100 Thieves.

It was a narrow first half with RNG leading 8-7 before switching to the CT side and locking out Vertex with six of the first seven rounds.

Vertex adapted and took four of the last six, but the lead was already built up, and time ran out for the Wolfpack at 16-12.

Needing Dust 2 to stay alive in the final, Vertex hit the ground running, taking the first four rounds.

RNG broke back to take five CT rounds in the middle of the half but Vertex edged back, leading 9-6.

It’s as close as Vertex would come.

Vertex ran out of gas on the CT side, and RNG punished them — eight straight T rounds put the map well out of reach, with the Wolfpack managing just two CT rounds to end their otherwise successful ANZ Champs campaign.

It’s a short break for the Oceanic teams before qualifiers begin for Oceania’s first BLAST qualifier, except for Renegades, who fly out on Wednesday to attend the PGL Antwerp Major.

ESL ANZ Champs S14 results

Week 8 schedule, Playoffs (April 27 – May 1)

Week 1 & 2 results, Swiss Round 1 (February 28 – March 10)

Week 3 results, Swiss Round 2 (March 14 – March 17)

Week 4 & 5 results, Swiss Round 3 (March 21 – March 24)

Week 6 results, Swiss Round 4 (April 4 – April 7)

Week 7 results, Swiss Round 5 (April 12 – April 14)

ESL ANZ Champs S14 — Standings (Swiss)

Stage one of the ESL ANZ Champs began February 28. Hosting a Swiss format, three wins secured a spot in the double-elimination second stage; three losses, and the team was sent packing.

All Swiss matches were best-of-one, with the final round a best-of-three series.

Stage two saw qualified teams battle it out in a double-elimination bracket.

ESL ANZ Champs S14 rosters

UPDATE March 10: Isaac “prodigy” Dahlan announced that Darcy “Mr Shark” Clarke will permanently replace Julian “JoolzCheat” Griffin going forward.

UPDATE March 14: Long-time FPS veteran Tyler “tucks” Reilly, currently competing for Order’s Valorant division, will replace ekul as Order CS’ temporary stand-in as their hunt for a new fifth continues.

UPDATE March 17: Going forward, DoMilk will compete under “Collateral Esports” across all currently qualified events.

UPDATE March 21: It was confirmed last week that 8Ballers would be closing operations, with both the main and female line-up now searching for a new home.

Overt’s CS:GO squad will also be departing their organisation; the teams will compete as ex-8Ballers and ex-Overt henceforth.

UPDATE March 22: ex-Overt have been acquired by Antic Esports following their departure from Overt yesterday.

UPDATE March 31: Tyler “tucks” Reilly officially replaces Luke “ekul” Blakey at Order. The CS:GO-turned-Valorant veteran returns to Counter-Strike officially after two years at Order’s Valorant division. He previously represented Chiefs for five years, seeing the squad to three IEM Sydney showings.

UPDATE April 4: ex-FURY, Kingsmen will compete as “Lonely 5” henceforth.

UPDATE April 27: ex-8Ballers will compete as “Pineapple on Pizza” henceforth.