Nine-try Chiefs show off their depth and class
It wasn’t quite the Warriors in 1995. In fact, it couldn’t have been much more different.
Some 27 years after that famous night against the Brisbane Broncos, Mt Smart Stadium played host to another slice of footy history last night.
Yet, with around 30,000 fewer people in attendance, Moana Pasifika’s home competition debut fell as flat as the atmosphere on offer, as a gutsy Chiefs side further underlined their Super Rugby Pacific title credentials.
While that might sound laughable, using the competition newcomers as some sort of yardstick, it pays to look deeper at what Clayton McMillan’s side produced in their 59-12 shellacking, which came on the back of that stunning late win over the Crusaders in Christchurch a week ago.
In a competition which is already heavily disrupted by Covid-19, depth in the ranks is going to be paramount.
While rising cases in squads have forced postponements, the Chiefs, despite having 17 players unavailable for this one, were determined to front, more for Moana Pasifika’s sake than anyone’s, McMillan said.
All Blacks Sam Cane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Angus Ta’avao, Samisoni Taukei’aho and Josh Lord were missing, there was no specialist halfback cover for Brad Weber and there were three players on Super debut. Of course, there was an almost customary game-day out, too, with last week’s late try-scoring hero Rameka Poihipi making it 18.
Moana Pacific coach Aaron Mauger will be a highly disappointed man.
His side were their own worst enemies, in so many facets, he might just need all of tomorrow to run his troops through the tape.
Basic errors are a killer – Lincoln McClutchie botching a straightforward penalty shot and Sam Slade having the ball slip through his hands at a close-range lineout then also under no pressure in open play – ones of note.
The set-pieces were also under pressure, but by far the biggest issue for Moana was their illdiscipline, finishing with an 11-3 penalty count against them.
The Chiefs were clinical, running in a franchise-equalling record nine tries.
Bryn Gatland was again sublime at first-five, opening the scoring by yet again showing what he can do in taking the ball to the line,
and once more offering some delicious cut-out passes to his outsides, all the while doing well to get up after a thumping hit from Levi Aumua.
Hamilton Burr enjoyed a fine debut in the somewhat unfamiliar position of openside flanker (having spent most of his time with Waikato at lock), making a teamhigh 16 tackles and scoring off a smart lineout drive where the Chiefs didn’t jump and instead formed their maul quickly.
Loosehead prop Ollie Norris also had a stormer. The 22-year-old is certainly one worth keeping an eye on, in a time when New Zealand is crying out for mobile frontrowers.
Tries either side of halftime to wingers Emoni Narawa and Jonah Lowe sealed the deal early-doors and allowed McMillan to empty his bench with more than 10 minutes remaining.
Now comes a rematch with the Crusaders next Saturday in Hamilton.
Just who will be available to take the park for that one will be anyone’s guess.
What’s clear is McMillan won’t really be all that bothered.