They fought bravely but . . . . . . Chiefs slip further after loss
It was a worthy fight against the Sharks but, in the end, the Chiefs may be left to rue what could have been in Durban, as their Super Rugby hopes took another hit.
The 28-24 defeat could have been so much different had the visitors not been stripped of their All Blacks to attend a national camp, which, combined with injuries, saw a total of 20 players unavailable from their originallycontracted squad of 38.
It was always going to be mission improbable right from when the Chiefs knew their All Blacks would be absent but coach Colin Cooper said they had still fully believed it was a game they could win.
‘‘Oh, without a doubt. You go into every game to win it, you don’t go in there to hold it. It is what it is, some boys got some real opportunities . . . it’s all about having the depth.
‘‘I thought we played with a lot of heart again. We weren’t accurate enough, we let opportunities go by, but we didn’t give up, and I take a lot out of that, that we fought back well to get the bonus point at the end. The effort today was huge, and I’ve seen other teams fold under the pressure that the Sharks had put on.’’
To have come away with a point was a credit in what was a three tries apiece contest.
And to have come away with five points in total from their tour of South Africa was indeed a decent return, which captain Charlie Ngatai, when asked in a post-match interview with the host broadcaster, said he would have taken if offered prior.
However, as gritty and gutsy as the Chiefs’ on-tour efforts were, the facts laid bare now have them even further up against it in the New Zealand conference.
After the Highlanders were thrashed 41-12 by the Waratahs in Sydney, the Chiefs sit equal with the southerners on 32 points but have slipped further back behind the two front-runners, now 13 back from the Hurricanes, and 14 off the Crusaders (who have played one extra game).
It means any hopes of stealing top spot in the conference would need some dramatic turns in fortune, while second place also appears unattainable. That means it’s an away quarterfinal at best that the Chiefs will be working towards and the potential of finals footy with an evergruelling travel schedule.
The Chiefs still have five regular season games to get through first – starting with the Waratahs in Hamilton on Saturday, before they then host the Crusaders ahead of the June international break. Following that it’s to Suva to face the Highlanders, then consecutive home games against the Brumbies and Hurricanes.
‘‘The good thing is we’re home and have got some reinforcements and experience that will be fresh that’ll help bring this group up from the travel,’’ Cooper said.
Aside from the returning All Blacks, Cooper didn’t expect anyone else back from injury, while loose forward/lock Tyler Ardron would have to go through concussion protocols after leaving the field against the Sharks in the second half.