Nifty Ngatai comes of age in grinding win

THIS was the Chiefs we’ve come to admire. Far from their best in the first two rounds, they’ve regained the art of grinding out wins.

It’s been a hallmark of Dave Rennie’s tenure but one lost for large parts of last season, when they bombed out in the first round of the finals.

Led by a superb display from Charlie Ngatai, the Chiefs clinched their second straight win (19-17) thanks to a clutch Aaron Cruden penalty on full-time against a quality Brumbies side in New Plymouth on Friday night.

Ominously, they still look in second gear. Discipline and a back-pedalling scrum will be the major focus as the Crusaders grudge match looms this week. After using 28 players in the first two matches, though, the Chiefs renowned depth is clear.

‘‘It was a bit ugly at times,’’ Rennie said. ‘‘They choke the life out of you. We couldn’t control the game or build pressure for any period of time. That was frustrating but we showed a lot of character to hang in the game. We finished strongly and were rewarded. We want to be a bit more clinical but the defence and attitude was great.’’

This week Rennie should get back Sonny Bill Williams (calf) and Sam Cane (neck), both of whom withdrew late from the Brumbies match, and Brodie Retallick will start in the secondrow after playing 40 minutes from the bench. ‘‘We’ll know more in the next few days but we’ve got an eight-day turnaround so I’m pretty confident they’ll be right.’’

Surrounded by superstars, Ngatai is something of a forgotten man. His performance against the Brumbies suggested he would not look out of place at test level in the coming years. At 24, he may only need to show patience.

‘‘In 2010 when I had him in the New Zealand 20s I thought this is where he would be but maybe a little bit quicker,’’ Rennie said. ‘‘If you look at last year every time he was available we started him. That gives you an indication of where we hold him.’’

The spotlight will always fall on Williams but Ngatai’s ability to slot in seamlessly at second fiveeighth and centre; to break the Try time: Chiefs midfielder Charlie Ngatai scored a try in the 19-17 win over the Brumbies. line, step off both feet and his surprising pace will see him pose plenty of problems.

‘‘I’ve been around a while now. I’m getting more confident at Super Rugby level,’’ Ngatai said. ‘‘After a couple of big seasons it’s only getting better. I’m love getting the ball in hand and having a crack. Hopefully I can stay injuryfree this year.’’

As the two best Kiwi teams in recent times, the Chiefs and Crusaders have contested some epic encounters. The Crusaders hold a slight edge, winning three of the last five. Two of those matches, including the 2013 semifinal won by the Chiefs, were decided by one point.

‘‘They’re chocker-full of All Blacks so it should be another arm wrestle,’’ Rennie said.