Chiefs bounce back to tame Hurricanes
Super Rugby Pacific round-up
Tupou Vaa'i scored two tries as the Chiefs bounced back from their first loss of the season to beat the Hurricanes 23-12.
The Chiefs' 10-match winning streak ended last weekend when they were beaten by the Reds but victory yesterday cemented their place at the top and ensured they will host a home play-off.
The Chiefs led 10-0 after the Hurricanes gifted second row Vaa'i with two tries from lineout malfunctions. The Hurricanes came back with two good tries in the rainsoaked conditions.
Full-back Josh Moorby made a break down the right flank, fending tacklers then kicking ahead and winning the race to touch down. Back rower Brayden Iose then intercepted a loose pass on halfway and dashed away to score before Damian McKenzie landed two late penalties to keet the Hurricanes at bay.
“When it comes to this point in the season the weather changes and the rugby we play has to change accordingly,” Chiefs captain Sam Cane said. “It was always going to be a battle of the forwards. It won't be pieces of individual brilliance that win games at this point in the season, it will be a collective effort.”
The Crusaders are timing their run nicely as their 41-7 win over Moana Pasifika on Friday night secured their third straight victory to remain in contention for a top two finish. Macca Springer scored two of their tries before half-time and Will Jordan scored one and had a strong hand in others.
Christian Lio-Willie got their first try after 10 minutes, starting inside their own 22 and stringing together many passes. Jordan made an early break and handled again before the end as Jack Goodhue and Corey Kellow also kept the movement alive before Lio-Willie took the last pass to score.
Springer scored his first try on 20 minutes and added a second before half-time, after Jordan had scored from a failed clearance.
Moana Pasifika defended more effectively in the second half and the Crusaders had to go to their lineout drive to score again through hooker Brodie McAlister.
Tima Fainga'anuku put Moana Pasifika on the board with a try but Scott Barrett added a final try for the Crusaders who were bruised by a physical encounter.
The Highlanders ended their five-match losing streak with a last-gasp 20-17 win over the Rebels.
Regular full-back Sam Gilbert, playing at 10, held his nerve to kick two penalties in the final 10 minutes, a period when the Rebels were down to 14 men following a yellow card to replacement hooker Jordan Uelese for an early tackle on Connor Garden-Bachop.
Tries to Garden-Bachop and impressive prop Ethan de Groot gave the Highlanders a 14-7 halftime lead but their attack stuttered, allowing the Rebels back into the match through a converted try to Stacey Ili and a penalty from Reece Hodge.
Young full-back Max Jorgensen showed his playmaking skills as the Waratahs maintained their late-season surge with a 32-18 victory over Fijian Drua to make it four wins in succession and book a quarter-final place.
Jorgensen's one-handed passes set up first-half tries for his wingers Mark Nawaqanitawase and Dylan Pietsch and he threw a more conventional one for No.8 Lange Gleeson. Nawaqanitawase got a second and Mahe Vailanu crashed over just before the end to put the Tahs out of sight.
Beauden Barrett was inspirational in the Blues' 45-26 win over the Queensland Reds before the All Blacks star limped off with a sore foot.
Barrett's short ball to Cameron Suafoa led to full-back Zarn Sullivan's first try and Barrett got the second himself. His departure didn't disrupt the Blues as Patrick Tuipulotu barged over from the next play and Sullivan took over the playmaking duties to set up Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens before Mark Telea's late try sealed the win.
Western Force remain unbeaten at home after five matches with a 34-19 win over the Brumbies to stay in play-off contention. Felix Kalapu opened the scoring for the Force in the seventh minute and he was followed over by Hamish Stewart and Sam Spink to lead 21-0.
The Brumbies replied courtesy of Charlie Cale in the 27th minutes and Darcy Swain shortly after.
Luke Reimer threatened to give the Force a run for their money with a try but Marley Pearce sealed the win.
