Two-time Super Rugby defending champions the Chiefs have scored three tries in the last 10 minutes and kicked a touchline conversion after the hooter for a thrilling 34-34 draw at the Bulls.
The Chiefs scored five tries in all and had led 12-3 early before surrendering control of the game and trailing the Bulls 31-15 heading to the final 10 minutes.
Backline replacement Gareth Anscombe then rounded off a brilliant 70-metre try for the Chiefs in the 70th minute, lock Matt Symons burrowed over to score off a clever lineout move in the 77th and captain Aaron Cruden squeezed the ball onto the line in the corner with around 10 seconds to play after another long-range counter from the New Zealand team.
Anscombe kicked the conversion from the left touchline to silence Loftus Versfeld and push the Chiefs up to third ahead of the NSW Waratahs’ visit to leaders the Sharks later on Saturday.
In Pretoria, the Bulls had tries from flanker Deon Stegmann, wing Bjorn Basson and a penalty try. The Bulls controlled the territory, scrums and lineouts for most of the game before slipping up against the Chief’s elusive counter-attacking to halt the South African team’s streak of three straight wins.
The Chiefs showed their dangerous threat in open play when former All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina scored the first try in the 14th after an inside pass from Cruden. Centre Andrew Horrell made a searing break five minutes later and flanker Liam Messam strode over for a quick-fire double.
The Hamilton-based Chiefs appeared to have quickly shrugged off a surprise loss to the Western Force in Australia last weekend.
But under the guidance of veteran captain Victor Matfield, the Bulls claimed control of the middle stages of the game through their dominant scrum and lineout and the Chiefs only scored three points between the 19th and 70th minutes.
Loftus
Guest
UHhhm, the Sharks are not unbeaten. Did you miss last weekend's game?
Firstxv
Guest
agree...thing is it confirmed the drive that only champions have...31-15 down with 11 minutes to go- away to the only unbeaten side...says it all. Beware the Chiefs, they're not going to give this title up without a fight.
Firstxv
Guest
Thing is the Sharks havnt travelled- that is a key reason theyre unbeaten. The next 4 matches should bring them back to the peloton.
Batdown
Guest
Yep, the guys on the bench brought them home Winston. As a coach you would expect that each player on the bench make an impact on the game otherwise don't put them into the side. I suspect that every player understands Rennie's coaching philosophy and accepts their core role in the team. IMHO it's not about who gets the starting spot or who is on the bench, it's about doing your job FOR the team.
Winston
Guest
Ok Rennie needed to send his players a message by dropping a lot of the starters. And they sure seemed to get the message by the way they played when they came on. I guess it's long term gain over a short term win but it's hard not to think what if he started with a stronger chiefs side.
Funk
Guest
I though it was a draw???
Sprigs
Guest
Well said. Silky skills, breathtaking.
AussiKiwi
Guest
Great game, well refereed on the whole. The Chiefs' silky skills were breathtaking at times. Shame about Cruden's uncharacteristically poor kicking. Fantastic conversion under pressure from Anscombe at the end. Still, 3 points is OK!
Kiwi Rugby/Rugby League Fan
Guest
100% . We lost because Cruden didn't kick his penalties an because we could not defend the driving maul off line outs . We did not lose due to the Refs calls
Kuruki
Roar Guru
After reflecting on this game it was a huge effort from the boys and could be crucial in the end with only a few points going to decide home advantage in finals which will decide who wins the comp. The way the Sharks are playing if they secure home finals it's all over. Chiefs need to stay on track and hope the other big boys trip up a few times on the way. Here's hoping for a high scoring match against the Cheetas so the winner can bank an extra point.
moaman
Guest
Kuruki---I thought a lot of the Chiefs' passing was pretty average-and something they can improve dramatically--what do you think? Obviously goal-kicking was very poor too; but overall I was stoked at the heart they showed.And that there is alot of scope for improvement.
moaman
Guest
I thought Joubert was correct to have a quick look--even I,-a Chiefs' fan--thought there may have been a bit of obstruction.....
Kuruki
Roar Guru
I think they will only play in the finals if they make it.
Brett Susan
Guest
Bulls dominant forwards were negated by unbelievably sloppy defence at times. Poor mayfield was left flailing twice as the last line when the Bulls backs failed to keep their structure. Some very very impressive line-out and scrum moments though. As the line up was being introduced by the commentators I thought that the Bulls scrum would be going backwards but they bossed up front...and that maul is something to get the wets about. the thing i like about this team is that it is so bereft of top players as their stocks have been drained over the last few years. They produced the goods against a team full of first choice AB's. Lots to look forward to.
Totally agree WEST.
Dugong
Guest
That's a bit harsh. They played really well for the most part. The Chiefs are pretty tough to stop when they've got their blood up, and the Bulls had done extraordinarily well to be in the lead. Good game.
DCNZ
Guest
When do the Chiefs and the Sharks play? That was a cracker game. Bulls led by big Victor, who would have thought? Those are the top three teams above. Throw in the Brumbies, make it four. Then the Waratahs, Blues...maybe the Reds and Crusaders a step lower. The rest are the also-rans, including my Canes.
AndyS
Guest
However it got to that point, merely saying it would have presented an interesting strategic decision had the option been available. There always seems to be plenty of people keen to discuss changes to laws, points values, etc to force everyone to play the 'right' way (i.e their way). I wouldn't mind a few more options and tactical choices.
maori sidestep
Guest
Bloody good game & to come away 3 points is better than a punch to the face, I thought V M was gonna keep directing play to lineouts & that awesome rolling maul of theirs they had the Chiefs on the ropes. GO THE CHIEFS.
Charlie Mackay
Guest
http://www.sareferees.com/News/new-tmo-protocol/2829795/ TMO Protocol: The TMO or any match official can, in their official capacity as referee/AR/TMO, refer any passage of play that involves in goal or try scoring scenarios (I'd assume then from 2 phases back also). Thus, the TMO is entitled to refer a decision to himself ifhe believes there is grounds to do so.