Chiefs inflict first loss at home on Hurricanes

WELLINGTON: The Chiefs have repelled a desperate Hurricanes late charge to hold on for a narrow 1714 Super Rugby win in Wellington.

It is the first time the Hurricanes have been beaten at home this season, dealing a blow to their hopes of securing the first wildcard qualifier position in the New Zealand conference.

But a 78thminute try last night to Wes Goosen was enough to salvage a late bonus point, leav ing the secondplaced Hurricanes a scant point clear of the Chiefs with just one game remaining.

The two teams traded blows in a highoctane game which featured a mix of of freerunning rugby and outstanding defence.

The Hurricanes attacked with pace and precision, built on the back of an impressive early scrummaging effort.

It took just six minutes to reap the rewards, lock Vaea Fifita crashing over out wide after an initial Vince Aso break.

An equalising try looked inevitable, especially with the Chiefs ramping up the setpiece pressure, and Aaron Cruden duly delivered after 24 minutes.

As the hour mark ticked over, Michael Allardice, in for concussed All Blacks lock Brodie Retallick, was yellowcarded for cleaning out Canes halfback TJ Perenara at the ruck.

But the Chiefs’ sevenman scrum held strong. The ball was shifted to replacement winger Shaun Stevenson, who swerved through the defence then found Lowe for the crucial try.

McKenzie nailed a 74thminute penalty to put the Chiefs 177 ahead, but the Hurricanes hit back from an attacking lineout four minutes later, shifting the ball wide for Goosen to score.