CHIEFS V HURRICANES
HAMILTON: The Chiefs beat the Hurricanes 2824 last night but it was not enough to snatch hosting rights for a Super Rugby quarterfinal.
In a fluctuating finalround clash in Hamilton, the Hurricanes did enough to remain ahead on the standings and secure the first wildcard slot.
The fifthplaced Chiefs needed to beat the fourthplaced Hurricanes by 23 points and secure a bonus point to reverse their positions.
They looked on track to do so after opening up a 210 lead at halftime.
The Hurricanes shed their high error count after the break and fought back with four secondhalf tries.
Their cause was helped by a red card shown to Chiefs inside centre Johnny Faauli for a 63rdminute shoulder to the head of Wes Goosen, which concussed the Hurricanes centre.
The result means the Hurricanes host the same opponent in next week’s quarterfinal.
The visitors will arrive on a threematch winning tear, while the Hurricanes have slumped to four losses in their past five games.
Adding more merit to the Chiefs’ win was the fact they rested key players this week, including All Blacks pair Damian McKenzie and Sam Cane.
It did not stop their team scoring converted tries to lock Brodie Retallick, halfback Brad Weber and fullback Solomon Alaimalo.
Weber’s try was a 70m intercept effort following a loose pass from outofsorts Hurricanes playmaker Beauden Barrett.
Goosen began the Hurricanes’ fightback, while other tryscorers were Blade Thomson, Ben May and Julian Savea.
Hurricanes skipper Brad Shields could be in doubt next week after exiting in the first quarter with a rib injury. — AAP