WARREN Gatland's continues to make his mark in Super Rugby as his Chiefs side pulled off yet another stunning second-half fightback – this time, against reigning champions Crusaders 25-15.
In the lead up to their return home Gatland urged his team to ‘earn the respect' of the Crusaders, who achieved the self-proclaimed ‘threepeat' of winning their third consecutive Super Rugby title in 2019 – the tenth in their history.
A week after beating the Blues, it took steadfast discipline from the Chiefs in the second half to overturn the Crusaders 12-8 lead, made possible by a crossfield kick by fly-half David Havili for Sevu Reece to collect on the wing and score
. All Blacks winger Reece soon grabbed his second on and had it duly converted by Havili, standing in at flyhalf in place of injured Crusaders star Richie Mo'unga.
But as the half neared its completion it was the Chiefs who began to dictate with wing Solomon Alaimalo crossing in the corner for the host's first try.
It took just three minutes for Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi to score the Chiefs' third try after the restart. The scrum-half peeled away from the ruck to dive over and take the lead for the first time.
Aaron Cruden converted but a Havili penalty levelled the scores at 15-15.
As had been evident all game with both sides possessing elite wingers, it would come down to the ball being worked out wide for the all-important try to swing the contest.
It took a superb assist by Chiefs scrum-half Brad Weber to create the opportunity, with the 29-year-old spotting a three-versus-two overlap down the blindside to feed wing Sean Wainui for a simple score.
”The thing you notice about these matches that have a bit riding on them is that they are a bit personal, they're physical, they're brutal, and there were some big moments that could have gone either way.”
Harlequins centre Joe Marchant dotted down for his first try for the Blues in their 32-12 win away at the Waratahs.
The centre, on loan to the Auckland-based franchise, scored shortly after halftime when midfield partner TJ Faiane created an opening with Marchant in support.
It spurred the Blues into life after flanker Blake Gibson and Lalakai Foketi had grabbed a try each for either side.
Two minutes after Marchant's finish winger Mark Telea crossed for the first of his three tries as the Waratahs capitulated.
Alarm bells will be ringing at Rugby Australia headquarters after the Reds followed the Waratahs in remaining winless during this campaign, losing 27-20 to the Lions.
Two sin bins in the second half cut the Reds down to their knees as Lions wing Courtnall Skosan scored the winning try late on.
The decline of the Reds will do little to lift spirits in Australian rugby, with broadcaster Fox Sports set to end its involvement after a breakdown in talks.
The Brumbies are doing their best to raise interest in a game damaged by the Israel Folau discrimination saga and a poor World Cup showing.
In becoming the only Australian team to have won a match this campaign, the Brumbies remained unbeaten with a 39-26 victory over the Melbourne Rebels.
Irae Simone, Tom Banks, Tom Cusack, Solomone Kata, Folau Fainga'a and Tom Wright scored tries for the Brumbies.
As for the Rebels, humbled by the Sunwolves in Week 1, they were at least able to secure the try bonus point
. The South African Conference holds the Stormers and the Sharks as the early frontrunners.
Tries from Jamie Roberts and Seabelo Senatla gave the Stormers a 13-0 win over the Bulls, while the Sharks beat the Highlanders 42-20 with Aphelele Fassi on the scoresheet with two tries.
