Chiefs back on top, Hurricanes miss win
- Dave Worsley
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
The Chiefs have reclaimed the top spot on the Super Rugby Pacific points table by differential above the Crusaders after a 46-10 win over the Highlanders in Hamilton.
At the end of a rugged first half the home side were ahead 13-10 as the Highlanders defence held even after letting Emoni Narawa score.
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The visiting side scored as a Timoci Tavatavanawai short ball found Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens who set up a try for a powerful Sosefo Kautai.
The Highlanders comeback didn't eventuate in the second half. Leory Carter's pace got him to a Quinn Tupaea grubber kick two tries in three minutes to Kaylum Boshier and Samipeni Finau took the result completely out of the Highlanders' hands.
Boshier got his second not long after, by then the Highlanders were wondering what just hit them and the game devolved into a messy affair as both sides simply wanted it to be over with without any injuries. Samisoni Taukei'aho found time to tack on an extra try to make sure of the important points difference.
Meanwhile the Hurricanes and Force have drawn 17-all in Perth, despite extra time. The match ended with a late drop goal attempt from Ruben Love, that bounced off the upright for both teams to share the result
The Hurricanes started well with a try to wing Fatafehi Fineanganofo after build up by Xavier Numia, and enjoyed a big territorial advantage in the first half.
The Force answered back with a tries to Bayley Kuenzle and Mac Grealy for a 14-5 halftime lead.
Love, who started the match at first five was good on attack but also showed it's not his favoured position with some questionable option-taking. .
Hurricanes made things difficult as Asafo Aumua, Isaia Walker-Leawere and Peter Umaga-Jensen were all forced from the field with failed HIAs.
In slippery conditions at Pukekohe Moana Pasifika were beaten 24-0 after a slow start before Corey Toole scored in extra time in the first half.
In the second spell hooker Billy Pollard was driven over from a lineout and made it a double in the 66th minute as both team struggled in the conditions.
Toole struck again in the 74th minute from a smart scrum move and cut out pass from Tom Wright saw the wing run in untouched to the corner as Moana couldn't find a way into the match.
Moana stay in 10th place and host the Drua at North Harbour next weekend. The Brumbies return home for their clash with the Hurricanes.
Chiefs 46 (Kaylum Boshier 2 tries, Emoni Narawa, Leroy Carter, Samipeni Finau, Samisoni Taukei’aho tris; Damian McKenzie 5 con, 2 pen) Highlanders 10 (Sefo Kautai try; Cameron Millar con, pen). HT: 13-10.
Force 17 (Bayley Kuenzle, Mac Grealy tries, Ben Donaldson 2 con, 1 pen) Hurricanes 17 (Fehi Fineanganofo 2 tries, Callum Harkin 2 con, 1 pen)
Brumbies 24 (Corey Toole 2, Billy Pollard 2 tries, Declan Meredith 2 con) Pasifika 0