Barrett boots Chiefs
After the conclusion of Investec Super Rugby Aotearoa round 4, the six picksters have slotted into four positions on the table.
Harcourts’ Ken McGrath leads the pack, Strawbridge’s Jason Strawbridge is in second place sitting on 75 per cent correct.
Andrea Miller of PGG Wrightson and Darren Marsom of Flooring Xtra are in third while Team Power Chill and Team Timmo’s are fourth equal.
For the second time this year, the deadly boot of Hurricanes’ fullback Jordie Barrett has put the game out of reach for the Gallagher Chiefs.
Hurricanes flyer Kobus van Wyk opened the scoring after five minutes at FMG Stadium with a try while Barrett successfully converted to make it 7-0.
In the 13th minute Barrett unsuccessfully attempted a drop goal which could have had them up.
Chiefs’ counterpart Damian McKenzie landed a penalty goal in the 17th minute to get the Chiefs on the scoreboard.
At the end of the first half the Hurricanes pushed further in front with Barrett grabbing two penalties and converting a try scored by flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi. One of these penalty kicks was cracked from over 60 metres out.
The Hurricanes led 20-3 at halftime. Early in the second half McKenzie landed another penalty to bring the score to 20-6.
Eight minutes later and Hurricanes lock Scott Scrafton was sent to the sinbin for 10 minutes after dragging down his opposite lineout
jumper, the tip of the iceberg after too many other penalties.
The last 20 minutes of the game was an interesting contest as van Wyk grabbed another try for the Hurricanes after 60 minutes.
Less than five minutes later, the Chiefs were awarded a penalty try after Scrafton came back on to infringe again. He was shown a second yellow card which combined to a red. This brought the score to 25-13.
With three minutes to go in the match, the Chiefs flung the ball out wide to flanker Lachlan Boshier who was unmarked. He strolled over for to dot down.
McKenzie failed to convert Hurricanes took the win 25-18.
Elsewhere, the Highlanders took on the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr in Dunedin. The home side led 17-14 at halftime but gave the game away in the second half. The Crusaders won 40-20.
This week the Gallagher Chiefs have a bye.