The Chiefs had no trouble smashing the Kings in the third week of Super Rugby, recording a 34-point win over the reborn franchise.
Final score
Kings 24
Chiefs 58
The Kings will return from their bye tonight, hosting the Chiefs inside Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. Join The Roar for all the tries and highlights starting with a 12:05am (AEDT) kickoff.
The Kings have had a shaky start in their return to Super Rugby with a pre-season full of uncertainty and a revolving door of staff and players. They returned to the comp with their first game in the top tier since 2013 in Round 1, suffering a debilitating 43-8 loss at the hands of the Sharks.
With the early bye under their belts, the Kings will be looking to settle into a rhythm and kick start their season from home.
The Chiefs are coming into the fixture off the back of a stunning four-point loss to the Lions, their first ever loss to the Johannesburg outfit.
Despite the loss last week, the Chiefs are looking strong in the early portions of the season after a big win over seven time champions the Crusaders in the first week.
Both sides have been busy midweek with 14 changes between them already announced for game day, the Chiefs sporting six changes in the forward pack alone.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie has brought in a completely new front row with Mitchell Graham, Nathan Harris and Siate Tokolahi to pack down at the front for their first starts of the season.
Elsewhere in the forwards lineup, Brodie Retallick will be missing in action for over a month after suffering a rib injury in last week’s loss to the Lions. Retallick will be replaced by Johan Bardoul in the second row next to Michael Allardice.
New Zealand born Japanese captain Michael Leitch will bind in at the back with the No.8 jersey, while young gun Taleni Seu will be slotting in at blindside flanker.
The Chiefs haven’t limited their changes to the forwards though with a couple of substitutes in the back line, including former NRL player Glen Fisiiahi making his run on debut in just his second game of Super Rugby. All Black Tawera Kerr-Barlow has been moved to the bench, handing Brad Weber his first start of 2016 at halfback.
Two new players will round out the Chiefs reserves with New Zealand under 20s skipper Atu Moli and lock James Tucker making their first appearances.
For the Kings, Edgar Marutlulle and Jacobie Adriaanse fit into a revamped front row and hooker and tighthead respectively. Adriaanse is returning after suffering a heavy concussion in a pre-season warm up match.
Stefan Watermeyer will jump into outside centre in place of the absent JP du Plessis, Louis Fouche will join him in the backline, moving Elgar Watts to the reserves and claiming flyhalf as his own.
Prediction
The Chiefs have been a very strong presence in Super Rugby in recent years, winning consecutive competitions in 2012 and ’13, and will no doubt be up in the finals come season’s end. Especially coming up against a newly reinstated Kings side that are still trying to find their feet in the big leagues, the Chiefs should take the points here and probably the bonus point to boot.
Chiefs 38, Kings 10.
Can the Southern Kings record an upset win in front of a home crowd to kickstart their season? Or will the Chiefs run riot over the newbies and catapult themselves up the standings? Find out tonight (this morning) from 12:05am (AEDT) on The Roar.
Connor Bennett
Editor
82' The Kings won't give up here. Earning a penalty and working off the line out, leaning across field. Oh no!! They've lost it and the Chiefs sprint up field but a fantastic cover tackle saves the embarrassment of another one. Chiefs eventually get a penalty for an offside call and McKenzie kicks a Penalty Goal for Chiefs Kings - 24 Chiefs - 58
ethan
Guest
Ah tough times! haha
Connor Bennett
Editor
78' The Chiefs with a scrum in the dying minutes and they continue to dominate right till the end, collapsing the Kings scrum and breaking through midfield. The Kings scramble defence holds them off but the Chiefs are there in numbers Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
76' Another penalty for the Kings. Chiefs were pulled up for having too many numbers in the line out and the Kings decide to take the tap and go for the line. Oh pain for the Kings!! They've been penalised after all that for not releasing the ball just a metre from the line Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
75' 5m lineout and they go back to old faithful with a short throw and maul. Chiefs are pushing them towards the sideline but the Kings have been given another penalty and they punt it back out for another line out in close Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
74' Penalty to the Kings against the Chiefs for not rolling away. No surprises with the decision to kick for touch, looking for some kind of consolation at the end here Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
72' The Kings are in with a chance to cross the chalk here with a line out in good attacking position. They've collected and thrown it out through the back line but they're not making a lot of yards. Chiefs are right up off the advantage line they'll want to watch out for offsides Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
I'm struggling a bit with a dodgy stream because it's not on Foxsports or anything hahah Cruden has been devestating when he's had the ball in hand but that hasn't been often enough really.
Connor Bennett
Editor
69' The Chiefs opt for a scrum and they score straight away off the first play. TRY CHIEFS!! The Kings just parted ways for the set piece and Glen Fisiiahi crosses the line with ease, sinking the Kings even further. Kings - 24 Chiefs - 55
Connor Bennett
Editor
68' YELLOW CARD Martin Bezuidenhout is shown the card after a penalty a metre out from his own line. Pulled up for not rolling away, his side will be a man short for ten minutes Kings - 24 Chiefs - 48
ethan
Guest
Thanks for the call mate. Looks like McKenzie and Cane have bagged a lot of points. Any other standouts?
Connor Bennett
Editor
66' The Chiefs are just hammering the Kings back and they continue to attack. They've forced the Kings back into their own in goal and a 5m scrum with the feed. Another scrum taking a long time to pack down. And then it's pulled back up again. Kings - 24 Chiefs - 48
Connor Bennett
Editor
61' TRY CHIEFS!! It was only a matter of time there and they finally cross the white line. The Kings fought and fought to keep them out but there were gaps everywhere and the Chiefs were just too fast for them to keep up. Cane picks up a brace after dropping over the line with only one defender on him Kings - 24 Chiefs - 48
Connor Bennett
Editor
59' The Chiefs in great field position with the scrum inside the 22. They get quick ball out and Webber makes a half break before being taken down and the Chiefs give away a penalty. Bardoul going off his feet. Kings - 24 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
57' A time out called as both sides take a little breather and set up for the scrum around 35m out from the Kings line Kings - 24 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
56' Chiefs are pressing and probing the Kings defensive line here. They're making easy metres over the advantage line and the Kings are looking a little sluggish. Kings - 24 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
53' TRY KINGS!! Terrible terrible mistake form the Chiefs on their own line. They play the short line out but the pass off the back goes to no one and the Kings scoop it up a couple of metres out. One phase later and Marutlulle crosses for his second try of the day. Kings - 24 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
52' What a take!! What a run!! What a tackle!! Great rugby all round. No way could it be?? Van Tonder has broken through off the Chiefs possession and sprinted away towards the corner but a never say die chase from the Chiefs cut him down on the line and rolled him over side. TMO was introduced and it looked like he may have gotten over with the most insane amount of luck and flexibility but he's been called out. Kings - 17 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
50' Big break through centre field from the Kings!! They get quick play out of the ruck and continue to roll... and they've lost it. Poor Kings can't catch a break right now Kings - 17 Chiefs - 41
Connor Bennett
Editor
49' The Chiefs are playing hot potato with the ball now off the back of a scrum on halfway they're throwing it around to anyone within throwing distance but they get sloppy and the Kings force the knock on Kings - 17 Chiefs - 41