The Chiefs showed few signs of travel fatigue as they powered to their eighth straight Super Rugby win with a 33-14 victory over the Hurricanes at Waikato Stadium in Hamilton on Saturday.
Returning home earlier this week from an unbeaten three-match overseas stint, the Chiefs took a little time to hit full pace but, once they did, the Hurricanes could find no answer to their hard-running attack.
The Chiefs were particularly effective around the breakdown, and the speed of their ruck ball kept the Hurricanes’ defence back-pedalling for much of the opening 40 minutes.
Starved of good quality ball, with the Chiefs dominating possession, the Hurricanes defensive line had to work overtime and the penalties against them inevitably mounted.
With Chiefs and All Blacks five-eighth Aaron Cruden in accurate form with the boot, the home team lead mounted steadily to 12-3 as the half-hour mark neared.
But with just five minutes until the break, the Hurricanes finally secured some decent field position and shifted the ball quickly to Andre Taylor.
The fullback scythed through the Chiefs’ midfield, sold half a dummy and jinked through for his seventh try of the Super Rugby season.
Ahead 12-8 at halftime, the Chiefs extended their lead five minutes after the restart when Lelia Masaga latched onto a flat ball from returning halfback Brendon Leonard and waltzed around Hurricanes halfback TJ Perenara to score under the posts.
Two Beauden Barrett penalties kept the Hurricanes in touch as the 60-minute mark neared, but the Chiefs kept the ball close and showed patience in building pressure after an initial Cruden break brought them to within 10 metres of the line.
Inevitably, try-scoring loosehead prop Sona Taumololo powered over from close in for his seventh try of the season for the Chiefs to lead 26-14 with 15 minutes remaining.
Ten minutes later, replacement prop Toby Smith burrowed over from 5m out in a repeat of Taumololo’s effort put the match beyond doubt.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
Thirty-three years after going down to Queensland in Brisbane, Warren Gatland’s Welsh side will complete their tour of Australia in July by once again…
The Brumbies have been given an early season reality check, as Stephen Larkham’s men were thumped by the Chiefs 46-12 at AAMI Park on…
The Chiefs face a worrying wait over the fitness of star No.10 Damian McKenzie, who was forced off early in the second half of…
As we finish up our list of the 50 players we think are set to make a splash in 2024, it’s important to recognise…
Super Rugby Pacific has been dominated by the Kiwis so far for a reason: incredibly strong depth. It’s the obstacle that the Australian and…
Super Rugby is set for a serious shake-up in 2024 with new coaches and players, and as the season progresses, many of the players…
