High-flying Chiefs remain team to beat
THE Chiefs stand alone as the only unbeaten team left in Super Rugby after grinding out a 2414 victory over the Waratahs.
A steely first half saw the sides go into the break all square after Waratahs captain Jake Gordon raced away for an opportunistic intercept try to cancel out Bryn Gatland’s early score.
After a heavy period of territorial dominance on either side of half-time for the Chiefs, they retook the lead through a Damian McKenzie penalty in what was his 100th Super Rugby appearance.
Emoni Narawa’s try stretched the lead to ten before Michael Hooper, who became the most-capped Waratah back-rower ever, crossed from the back of the maul to spark the comeback threat into life.
But Narawa pounced on Shaun Stevenson’s delicate grubber kick with five minutes remaining to score his second and seal the deal for the table-topping Chiefs, who have won five on the spin to start the season.
Centurion McKenzie was emotional at the full time whistle and said: “It’s special to have played my 100th game for this team. I moved to Hamilton 10 years ago and haven’t looked back as it was the best decision I ever made. I come to work every day with a smile on my face because I get to work with amazing people.
“Tonight was great to get a win and I thank the Waratahs for a great of rugby. I’m so proud to play for such a special group.”
The midweek announcement that Scott Robertson is set to become the All Blacks’ head coach following the World Cup had no effect on the Crusaders, who snapped the Brumbies’ unbeaten start in their 35-17 win in Christchurch.
It was an error-strewn first-half for both sides but the Crusaders led 14-3 at the break after scores from red-hot winger Leicester Fainga’anuku and Braydon Ennor.
Hooker Codie Taylor then cemented himself into the history books as he crossed for his 32nd Super Rugby try, the most of any kiwi forward in Super Rugby history.
The theme of errors continued but Fainga’anuku’s second and Christian Lio-Willie’s late score secured the win.
“I think regardless of who turned up tonight, we knew the Brumbies were going to front up,” said Crusaders captain Scott Barrett.
The Brumbies opted to rest seven Wallabies for their trip across the Tasman, which ultimately proved costly as Stephen Larkham’s side experigame enced their first loss of the season.
The Highlanders registered their second straight win and it did so in record fashion, thumping the Fijian Drua 57-24 in Dunedin.
The home side piled on nine tries to equal their most ever scored in a Super Rugby game with eight different players crossing the whitewash.
The hosts responded to Frank Lomani’s early score with a four-try burst to take the game away from the Fijians, before Mitch Hunt added a fifth before the break.
Four more in the second half put the stamp on their best performance of the season.
The Hurricanes ensured it was a clean sweep for the New Zealand franchises heading into the final game, demolishing a miserable Moana Pasifika outfit 59-0.
It was lethal from start to finish from the Canes who ran up nine tries with fly-half Brett Cameron accumulating 19 points alongside.
The margin of victory is the fourth largest in Super Rugby history and the biggest whilst holding an opponent scoreless.
Elsewhere, the Rebels controversially got their second win of the season in a high octane 40-34 win over the Reds.
The Australian derby started fast with the Reds scoring twice before the hosts crossed four times to lead by 12 at the break.
Brad Thorn’s men then hit back with three tries inside 15 minutes through Jordan Petaia, Ryan Smith and Josh Flook. That flurry provoked a response from the hosts with Joe Pincus’ try regaining the lead.
James O’Connor’s penalty edged the Reds ahead but Angelo Smith’s score gave the Rebels a sixpoint cushion.
Chaos ensued as Tate McDermott’s try was chalked off as Ryan Smith was deemed to hold back flanker Josh Kemeny despite him moving the wrong direction but Kevin Foote’s side held on for their first win over the Reds in seven games.