An impenetrable defence coupled with some electrifying back play gave the Chiefs their fifth Super Rugby win of the season with a 23-16 victory over the Blues in Hamilton on Saturday.
Ahead 9-6 at halftime, the Chiefs turned around a tryless first 40 minutes to run in two hard-earned second-half tries to Ben Tameifuna and Richard Kahui in a bruising encounter at Waikato Stadium.
Despite the lack of tries, there was no lack of intensity or action in the opening 40 minutes.
The Chiefs were reduced to 14 men 10 minutes after kick-off after centre Bundee Aki was yellow-carded for a careless tackle on Blues opposite Rene Ranger.
The Aucklanders couldn’t capitalise, but the Chiefs came close when fullback Gareth Anscombe’s touch down was disallowed after Chiefs lock Michael Fitzgerald was ruled offside in forcing the turnover at an earlier breakdown.
Winger Lelia Masaga’s electrifying acceleration and pace also created plenty of opportunities, with a golden chance going begging when he sliced through the scrambling Blues defence only to spill the ball in the final tackle.
Replacement prop Tameifuna, on for an injured Ben Afeaki late in the first half, finally broke the tryless deadlock six minutes into the second spell, crashing over from close range to give the Chiefs a 16-6 lead.
Kahui continued his return from injury, earning his first start of the season, and efficiently organising the Chiefs’ potent backline. He was rewarded with a try in the 63rd minute after charging down Francis Saili’s clearing kick inside his own 22.
Starved of possession for much of the second half, the Blues finally breached the unrelenting Chiefs defence for their first try of the match when winger George Moala dotted down after 78 minutes.
Baden Kerr’s successful conversion gave them a hard-earned bonus point.
atlas
Guest
^ Boric off to Japan - announced today. At 29, and Ben May 30 - money!! Blues lock Anthony Boric and Hurricanes prop Ben May are the latest top-level New Zealand players heading to play in Japan. May will leave New Zealand after the Super Rugby season to join Sanix on the two-year contract and Boric has penned a two-year deal with the Mitsubishi DynaBoars. http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=10874908 The Japan Exiles Club? Lelia Masaga to Honda, Richard Kahui Toshiba, Adam Thompson Canon Eagles, and ex Chiefs/ABs Stephen Donald finishing with Bath to join Mitsubishi Dynaboars
Kuruki
Roar Guru
Tamati Ellison and Ben Smith imo are first contenders in the 12 and 13 jersey. Ranger imo is not an option as he is leaving. Smith and Ellison both bring similar attributes to Conrad Smith. Highly skilled players low error rate and good decision making.
Kuruki
Roar Guru
People always write Nonu off, He will step up for the All Blacks like he always does. Woodcock will stick around while the younger props continue to develop.
winston
Roar Rookie
I was thinking Tim Nanai Williams might start playing there for the chiefs with Kahui in such great from. Francis Saili is looking like a good option. That's until SBW comes back.
richard
Guest
Hightackle,Woodcock and Nonu are passed it.
Shane
Guest
We seem to have alot of good 13s but what about 12 apart from nonu who do we have? Any ideas its starting to worry me
HighTackle
Guest
TKB has been excellent this year and NZs form half.
atlas
Guest
Conrad Smith - misses third Bledisloe test and three-match end of year NH tour. NZ Herald has Carter unavailable first 6mths 2014 - back after June tests I'm not so keen on Kerr-Barlow, if it was to be Weepu and one other - Perenara That Nonu/Ranger/Gear/Savea/Dagg combo - on form they'd be worth the price of admission. Pity Corey Jane still out of the picture - offers a lot of skill/exp
On or
Guest
I think they will rush Dominic bird into the all blacks, with that size I'm sure Hansen and co will be eager to up his level and skills in the air, im not sure we have had such height since was it mark cooksley? or chris jack being the tallest?? In saying that i think the tallest player in the country is that young guy playing for hawkes bay .. anyway it would make for some really tall timber with bird white lock and retallick for our locks this year! But perhaps it might be a little early for bird and I guess height isn't everything in rugby!! I can't say I rate Romano unfortunately!!
Hightackle
Guest
C.Smith should be there but Id like to see us starting to move forward and although France is not a team to be taken lightly they should be exposing guys that will be there in 2015 to international rugby now. Forgot about Whitelock, hed be there over Williams.
winston
Roar Rookie
On form you'd have to go with Savea and Gear. Traditionally ABs have had a different kind of wingers. A wing with more of a fullback skill-set at 14. I'd like to see them go with these two though. The last time I remember them going with two similar wings was Rokocoko and Sivivatu at an infamous quater final in Wales. Still these two could cause major havoc. Savea has very good kicking skills for someone his size. He still seems to drop a fair bit of ball though. Is Conrad Smith going to be on sabbatical? cause he is needed in that back line for balance. If he's around 'd have Ranger on the bench. No Whitelock? It will be interesting to see if Boric can get into form. I was also thinking TJ Perenara might be in the picture this year. We'll see how he goes.
Hightackle
Guest
I will be very interested in who plays France. Personally I would like to see Ranger get a shot at 13 with Gear and Savea on the wings. 1) Woodcock 2) Hore 3) O.Franks 4) Romano 5) Rettalick 6) Messam 7) Cane 8) Read 9) TKB 10) Carter 11) Gear 12) Nonu 13) Ranger 14) Savea 15) Dagg 16) Coles 17) B.Franks 18) Afeaki 19) Willams 20) Vito 21) Weepu 22) Cruden 23) B.Smith But Id like to see Luatua get a run at 6 and Saili get a run at 12.
winston
Roar Rookie
Yeah Crusaders are looking like contenders now.
Malo
Guest
Chiefs crusaders final with brumbies there abouts
WEST
Roar Guru
How about that Crusader game now that was a tight one, amazing defence from forwards and the lineouts tallest Bok wont help with that shambles. Great win for Crusaders who are on a war path.
terrykidd
Roar Pro
Kahui is going OS? Where is he going? I think in his 2 games since returning from in jury that he has been sensational. Would be definitely giving the AB selectors a headache about who to play at 13 .... Kahui or Conrad Smith .... but if Kahui is leaving then Smith will probably get the nod.
Shop
Guest
Rene Ranger should play 7. How many turnovers did he make. Thought the ref (and TMO) kept the Blues in it. Chiefs were dominate throughout but failed to turn opportunities into points. Can't see another team (even Crusaders) being head of the NZ conference.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
Is anything being done to stop the insane Retallick breeding program? Sounds like a takeover bid from this side of the ditch. Exactly 21 years after the release of Vi@gra too, mmmmm!
WEST
Roar Guru
Great NZ rugby, Kahui was awesome and he will be missed. Im a Chiefs fan but I was happy to see Blues up the intensity and came out ready to smash it up, huge improvement from the last few weeks and have to agree Richard Luatua and a handful of young Blues players will be great AB prospects, .great game Blues lost but great step up but im sure Kirwan wont be happy.
KU
Guest
JHG