The Chiefs kept their Super Rugby title defence alive as they slithered to an 11-8 win on Friday over the Blues in Auckland.
Eighth on the table overall, and fourth in the congested New Zealand conference going into the match, the Chiefs held on in horrendous conditions for the crucial win to secure their spot in the playoffs.
Undefeated at Eden Park this season, the Blues kept the Chiefs under huge pressure early on, pounding their line with a punishing series of five-metre scrums in heavy rain and strong winds.
They looked to have earned early reward when No.8 Jerome Kaino twisted over after five minutes, but a boot from halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow dislodged the ball and the Chiefs survived the onslaught.
Already missing prop Tony Woodcock and loose forward Luke Braid to injury, the Blues suffered further loss after 18 minutes when a calf injury sidelined stand-in skipper Keven Mealamu in his record-equalling 162nd Super Rugby match.
The Chiefs conceded a swathe of early penalties as the Blues dominated the opening 20 minutes with 91 per cent territory and 70 per cent possession.
But the visitors’ defence held strong before they broke clear and found some field position for Aaron Cruden to sink a 23rd-minute penalty which gave them a 3-0 lead they carried into halftime.
The Blues’ faint hopes of making the playoffs faded further when inside centre Ma’a Nonu was sin-binned four minutes before the break for a no-arms tackle on Chiefs centre Tim Nanai-Williams.
But they made halftime without conceding further points, and an Ihaia West penalty five minutes after the restart levelled the scores just before Nonu’s return.
A Liam Messam game-breaking intercept try came just three minutes later. With the Blues hot on attack, the Chiefs’ flanker swooped on West’s inside pass to Tevita Li and ran 70 metres to score.
Cruden extended the margin with a 45m penalty on 65 minutes, but the sin-binning of outstanding Chiefs lock Mike Fitzgerald three minutes later gave the Blues a sniff.
They shunted the Chiefs’ scrum back from five metres out, and halfback Bryn Hill flicked the ball on for replacement winger George Moala to dive over in the corner.
But West couldn’t sink the difficult conversion, and the Chiefs controlled the closing 10 minutes to wrap up the win.
Paul
Guest
I think the Chiefs are in for a real chance here. The difference now and then is Cruden.Id rather have them play the Brumbies and Sharks than the Saders or Tahs
44bottles
Roar Guru
I think you'll find he's a Makos boy.
WSM58
Guest
At least one Knockout-final is now confirmed - Brumbies v Chiefs next week on a very cold Canberra night.
Firstxv
Guest
thats how I felt as well...the '5 pointers' Ben speaks of were really never going to come, even if kicks were kicked. The conditions had a low score written all over it, and the Chiefs knew all along that defence would see them right in this one, as it did.
Firstxv
Guest
Nothing wrong with JK's passion but that seems to be the easiest in terms of skill and he operates from assuming a sunny day scenario outcome is inevitable- ie all out attack, moving the ball etc when strategy and patience is the better option. His selection abilities are clearly non instinctive- ignoring West, letting Fekitoa go, persevering with Ali- captain as well, the Benji debacle etc. Its a cut throat world though with a win in the loss last week vs Saders and Chiefs last night all that was needed to qualify, though all teams can claim that sort of fortune at some point. But the Blues selection and rushed decision making in key matches resulting in high error rates- I mean who drops the ball more than the Blues did last night and a couple of other games this season?- justified their non play off end to the season. JK needs to get good people in after losing Henry and LISTEN to them rather than try and assume the golden era he was involved in is just around the corner if they try harder. Tactically he's naive at this level as a coach. And I say that having played in the same school and club scene years as JK in Auckland in the 80's when he and the Auk side were truly the best around bar none, JK the cream of the crop.
Jerry
Guest
Yeah, they were on a hiding to nothing really. It was a huge ask to score that many points in those conditions but I don't fault them for trying.
ben
Guest
What im saying is scoreboard pressure results in possible 5 pointers and that 37 point differential required. Just going hardout for the try doesnt necessarily work especially in those conditions. Chiefs needed a win only. 9_0 down wouldve meant they wouldve had to play more expansive and in those conditions wouldve meant mistakes...cue try scoring opportunities. That message obviously went out at halftime...but that was too late. Mealamu mentioned exactly that in the aftermatch press conference.
AndyS
Guest
Can't say I agree. They needed the four tries and a 37 point score differential, or their season was over regardless. It was an all or nothing game, in this case nothing. I'd've been pretty browned off as a supporter if my team was in that position and didn't even bother trying...a bit like trailing by 4 at the death and opting to take the penalty.
AndyS
Guest
Can't happen. Sharks can't finish lower than third on the list, so would play either the Chiefs or Highlanders in Durban or get the week off. Brumbies will play either the Chiefs in Canberra, or the Highlanders/Crusaders in NZ.
Jerry
Guest
"Sharks lose and dont get a bonus point. -Highlanders get a bonus point win over the Saders by less than 8." Highlanders don't need a BP win to get that scenario, any win will get them 4th. Also, if the Highlanders get 4th, they'll be hosting the 5th placed Brumbies while whoever finishes 3rd out of the Crusaders or Sharks will get the 6th placed Chiefs. Remember, the Sharks can't finish any lower than 3rd even if the Highlanders have more points than them.
Nek Minnut
Guest
Ideal scenario. -Sharks lose and dont get a bonus point. -Highlanders get a bonus point win over the Saders by less than 8. -Table finishes Tahs, Saders, Highlanders, Sharks, Brumbies, Chiefs. -Tahs and Saders have a week off whilst the Sharks play the Brumbies in SA and the Chiefs take on the Highlanders under the roof. -Sharks beat the Brumbies and play the Tahs in Sydbey whilst the Saders play the Highlanders in ChCh . -Tahs win and its a NZ team against them in Sydney in front of a full house. Id much rather a NZ team plays the Tahs in the final than a NZ derby and Id like the NZ team to be the underdog and get up to win.
ben
Guest
Blues shulda won this one. If they werent so hellbent in getting 4 tries first....i mean easy points on offer they kept turning down and came up with zilch. Early scoreboard pressure means opposition mistakes means opportunities for 5 pointers. Win the game first. Conditions were atrocious and 4 tries in that was always a tough ask...even the chiefs could only score an intercept try. I think next year without sir graham or mick byrnes expertise means a potential slump further down the table. Kirwan just aint got it.
Nek Minnut
Guest
Clearly NZ has the weakest conference ;-)
Old Bugger
Guest
Firstxv Bad choice of adjective I s'pose considering a 2 franchise SR career doesn't exactly qualify a player as a journeyman....compared to Nonu, Donnelly and even Triggs, then this guy is just beginning his journeying days but he better pull finger out in his next opportunity (if he gets another) otherwise....a 3rd franchise might be beckoning.
Firstxv
Guest
What OB?..A Journeyman?..from Canterbury? now THAT is surprising...
Old Bugger
Guest
I know it was the weather and conditions but there was a bucket load of errors committed by both sides, so in that respect, I don't think much can really be said about that slog-fest. Although, I do have a winge to talk about and his name is Tom Marshall. This bloke is suffering "beaver fever".....both players have or had "white line fever". Last week, Marshall blew a try and last night IMO, he blew another. He shoulda been dragged a lot earlier than when he was. His efforts these last 2 matches have been to say the least, dismal. I don't think he has the speed for an FB and his kicking game needs a shot up the rear-end...woeful at best. I know Rennie and Smith both raved about his ability when they convinced him to join the Chiefs but in my eyes, he's yet to repay that confidence in bucket-loads. He's a journeyman alright who needs to pick-up his game or he may see himself journeying again - to another side.
Winston
Guest
Last years final. Nice
Jerry
Guest
The Highlanders could conceivably get top spot in the NZ conference if they get a BP win and deny the Crusaders - but unless the Sharks also don't get a bonus point, there's actually not a huge incentive for them to do that. There's very little real benefit in finishing 3rd as opposed to 4th.
Old Bugger
Guest
My guess is Brumbies in Canberra because I suggest the Sharks and Crusaders will finish either 2nd or 3rd meaning either side will play the Highlanders at home......assuming Crusaders win tonite.
Winston
Guest
So who are we (chiefs) playing next week?