Patient Chiefs pushed to brink by enterprising Bulls 41 28 Thompson inspired by late father to lift game

The Chiefs have done it again.

After sneaking past the Blues in their previous Super Rugby match, they pulled another rabbit out of the hat to claim a flattering win against a stampeding Bulls side in Hamilton last night.

The Bulls arrived to 12,451 loud fans at FMG Stadium with what seemed like one attacking plan in mind — go left. It was a fruitful tactic for the visitors, whether planned or not, as they ran in four first-half tries through their left edge to dominate the opening 40.

The match represented a homecoming for Bulls coach John Mitchell, the popular former Waikato No 8 and captain. Showing they’re a different team under the former All Blacks and Chiefs coach, the Bulls stretched the hosts in the opening period with their aggressive, expansive style of play.

The Chiefs didn’t make life easy for themselves, though, on the wrong end of a 9-2 penalty count by referee Shuhei Kubo in the first half.

The Bulls signalled their intentions with their options from penalties — constantly turning down a shot at the sticks from close range to find touch and look to add at least five to the score.

The Chiefs started well and almost struck immediately through fullback Damian McKenzie, who found himself with room to move on the left edge before ultimately being dragged into touch.

The 12-test All Black soon put his side under pressure when an attempted chip kick to the wing sailed into touch on the full, giving the Bulls possession inside the hosts’ half.

They didn’t waste it, as fullback Warrick Gelant found a hole on the left and opened the scoring.

The Chiefs levelled the scores at 7-7 about five minutes later when Johnny Fa’auli crashed over from close range after some scrappy work around the ruck. However, the hosts found themselves two converted tries down before long, with Bulls winger Divan Rossouw having his way on the left to bag a double before the break.

With less than 10 minutes in the half, Brodie Retallick looked to have snatched the momentum for the Chiefs when he bulldozed over from within a metre of the line, but the Bulls hit back — again attacking through their left edge — as Handre Pollard got among the try scorers.

With the halftime deficit at 14, the Chiefs got back into the match when Mitchell Brown crossed the line. The extras from McKenzie made it a sevenpoint game with plenty of time in hand. Retallick closed the gap further when he popped up on the left edge for the Chiefs, sold a dummy and ran in for his second five-pointer. However, McKenzie couldn’t add the extras, and the hosts still trailed.

The Bulls looked to have extended their lead with another try but it was ruled out by TMO Shane McDermott for obstruction from Lood de Jager on Retallick.

McKenzie edged the Chiefs ahead

29-28 when, from 40m out, he kicked the game’s first penalty in the 62nd minute. Behind for the first time, the Bulls also went a man down when reserve prop Conraad van Vuuren, fortunate to escape a red card, was sent to the bin for a high shot on McKenzie,

With the advantage, the Chiefs ran in another try through Solomon Alaimalo to seal the win, with Anton Lienert-Brown adding one after the hooter for good measure.

Chiefs 41 (Brodie Retallick 2, Johnny Fa’auli, Mitchell Brown, Solomon Alaimalo, Anton Lienert-Brown tries; Damian McKenzie 4 cons, pen)

Bulls 28 (Divan Rossouw 2, Warrick Gelant, Handre Pollard tries; Pollard

4 cons). Halftime: 14-28. Hard work never hurt anyone, and Rob Thompson, who has started the season in hot form, is looking to follow in the footsteps of those who have travelled that path.

Thompson, who will start at centre when the Highlanders take on the Crusaders at Forsyth Barr Stadium tonight, is taking inspiration from both family and former teammates.

Thompson’s father Geoff died last year and the midfielder is using that loss as extra motivation. “Every day, he is an inspiration. Every day, I pull strength from him. It’s been a huge factor in me wanting to go further,” he said.

Thompson wants to become an All Black and in that regard has learned a lot from former teammate Malakai Fekitoa. “Mala left and that was huge boots to fill. Man, he was a freakish trainer. He was just tireless that guy; inspirational. I watched him closely in the gym. I learnt a lot with him the two years I worked with him.”

Those lessons are reflected in his own fitness this year. “I feel a lot fitter. I’m carrying my weight a lot easier than I was over the last two years. That has helped me be on the pace.”

Thompson, 26, has confirmed his future is in the south, signing with the franchise until 2020.

“I love Dunedin, love the Highlanders. I did not want to be on the fence about where I wanted to be. Sometimes indecisiveness can be crippling. I really wanted to commit to the Highlanders . . . and the Manawatu Turbos — be back with my mum and sisters. It’s about being decisive.”

Thompson played for the Crusaders for a season but got limited game time and headed south in 2016. As a result he was looking forward to the southern derby.

The Crusaders have suffered a major blow ahead of the match, with captain Sam Whitelock ruled out after developing minor concussion symptoms yesterday. They have a handy replacement to call upon, with Luke Romano now starting alongside Scott Barrett, and Quinten Strange being brought on to the bench. Matt Todd will now captain the side.

Ryan Crotty was also ruled out due to a concussion sustained against the Hurricanes.

All the action