Chiefs hit 50 ahead of Crusaders showdown
6XSHU 5XJE\ 3DFLILF URXQG XS THE Chiefs’ unbeaten streak continues as they secured another bonus point victory to strengthen their grip on top spot and extend their franchise record start to eight wins on the bounce.
With one eye firmly on hosting a rematch against Crusaders next week, Chiefs still managed to triumph over Fijian Drua without Sam Cane, Luke Jacobson and Brad Weber to set up an engrossing preview of what could well be this year’s final.
“It’s definitely satisfying (to win eight from eight),” said Chiefs captain Brodie Retallick. “There were plenty of good tries. It was a bit messy at times but we’re proud of that effort.
“It just shows the skill level and belief the boys are playing with at the moment. At times we might have kicked to put a bit more pressure on the Drua but there was some outstanding work, especially by the outside backs.”
The hosts scored five tries when the rain poured in the first half but struggled to assert control after half-time.
Cortez Ratima and Shaun Stevenson crossed for early tries while the Drua could not get a grip of the conditions.
The Fijians managed to batter their way over the line through Elia
Canakaivata but were stuck in their 22 for long spells.
Under pressure, they lost Apisalome Vota to the sin bin for a cynical foul on his try line and during his absence Kaylum Boshier and Damian McKenzie added to Drua’s misery with further tries.
The Chiefs finished the half with 14 men after Etene Nanai-Seturo’s yellow card for a deliberate knock on, with Michael Naitokani scoring Drua’s second.
Samisoni Taukei’aho swooped for the Chiefs’ fifth try on the stroke of half-time and late scores from Retallick and Tupou Vaa’i secured the bonus point, with Nanai-Seturo adding another after the hooter.
For the second successive week, the Melbourne Rebels let a halftime lead slip to fall to the defending champions Crusaders 43-27.
The Rebels led by 12 points at the break with scores from Brad Wilkin, Vaiolini Ekuasi and Ryan Louwrens but Crusaders ran in four second-half tries. David Havili grabbed a brace and there were further tries from Macca Springer, Cullen Grace, Brodie McAlister and Dallas McLeod.
Crusaders head coach Scott Robertson said: “We knew history showed the Rebels, in that second half, get a bit stuck in the mud. We just wanted to hold the ball, build pressure and finish, and we did. We know all of a sudden it can fall off.”
The Blues dispatched the Waratahs 55-21 to strengthen their hold on fifth place. Try-doubles from Ricky Riccitelli and Zarn Sullivan, with further tries by Caleb Clarke, Sam Darry and Cameron Suafoa, sealed the bonus point win and their third victory in their last four.
“In some bits we can be happy, but we’re not very happy with the 21 points the Waratahs scored,” Blues captain Patrick Tuipolotu said. “We’re happy with the win but lots to work on.
“The Waratahs usually are a good defensive side and don’t let many points in. They challenged our breakdown quite a bit and we got a lot of slow ball from that. Apart from that we managed to stay composed and score from some long phases.”
Waratahs drop to tenth after picking up just one win from their last five.
Western Force heaped more misery on the Highlanders in a 30-17 victory courtesy of 18 points from fly-half Bryce Hegarty.
The Highlanders’ mid-season revival of three successive victories was brought to an end by the Force, who are now just one point and one place behind their Kiwi opponents in eighth.
“We gave away too many penalties and know we need to eliminate our ill-discipline,” said Highlanders’ Billy Harmon.
“It’s hard to play your game when you’re down a couple of people. If we can eliminate that then we can play our game.”