Chiefs sneak past rampant Bulls
The Chiefs had to work hard to overcome a game Bulls side before dispatching the visitors 41-28 in Hamilton last night.
Having had the tough start of two away Kiwi derbies and come through 1-1 before the bye, the Bulls and the Sunwolves loomed as a chance to bank points ahead of a tough three-game derby stretch for a Chiefs side still with a bulging casualty ward.
But on a lovely night at FMG Stadium Waikato, it was anything but a straightforward operation, with the Chiefs again made to dig so deep for their rewards.
Having had to overcome injury adversity a fortnight ago against the Blues, this time the Chiefs’ challenge was overturning a rampaging Bulls side, who are certainly showing their reinvention.
The Bulls were as resplendent in their away kit as they were in their game style. The bright yellow is being worn as a season-long tribute to the football team they share Loftus Versfeld with – the Sundowns, who because of their uniform are known as ‘The Brazilians’. And it was certainly South American-like flair which the men from Pretoria brought to the table.
Who would have thought this was the team that not long ago just loved a lineout, a maul and a kick at goal from anywhere.
Mitchell has been imploring them to play more footy, and play they indeed did.
Yes, there were mauls and the Chiefs had their struggles legally stopping them, but the visitors showed a fresh willingness to give their big numbers some action.