Hurricanes vs Chiefs: Super Rugby live scores, blog

Match Report The Hurricanes have beaten the Chiefs 25-13 in an impressive performance that sees them take the top spot in the New Zealand conference mid way through the season. Rugby fans all over were excited about this match. So much talent and a local derby that promised to be one of the matches of the season with two of the most exciting #10s in world rugby going head to head. The match genuinely was a game of two halves. In the first 40 minutes the Chiefs had far more possession and territory but they just couldn’t break the Canes down and created few if any genuine opportunities to score. The Canes have long been heralded for their attacking flair but this season they have added some mean defence and this was on display throughout this game. Even with players like McKenzie, Ngatai and Alaimalo in an exciting Chiefs back line the Canes seemed comfortable as wave after wave of attack came at them. Meanwhile when the Canes did have the ball they were able to make it count. Ben Lam especially looked a huge threat. In the opening minutes he surprised the Chiefs defence with his speed and almost got in the corner. Then soon afterwards he got the ball about 30 metres out with plenty of Chiefs defenders between him and the line and yet was able to glide through a half gap and then shrug off a couple of tackles to score a great try. He is looking like a truly dangerous strike weapon and both Super Rugby sides and Rugby Championship sides should be worried. The Chiefs lacked this real clinical finishing and were making too many errors when it mattered. They were able to grab a couple of penalties however and with the score 10-6 to the home side at half time it really was still anyone’s game. The game was waiting for someone or something to ignite it. Unsurprisingly it was Beauden Barrett who lit the match and put the game beyond the Chiefs in the first 10 minutes of the second half. He’d been quite quiet in the first half - not playing poorly at all but just doing what needed to be done. In the opening minutes of the second half though he decided to turn it on. He swooped on a bouncing ball from another Chiefs handling error and was racing down the sideline with the try line insight. He put in a little grubber and then was able to out pace and out reach the lion hearted Retallick as both players dived to touch the ball down. The TMO gave the decision to the Canes and the lead started to grow. Minutes later Beauden was then try provider as the Canes stretched the Chiefs defence. They pulled them from one side to the other before Barrett put in a great cross field kick for his outside backs to go after. Lienert-Brown tried his best to take the catch but as it slipped out of his fingers Laumape pounced and fell over the line. Two tries inside 4 minutes showed just how deadly the Canes are. Over the rest of the match the Chiefs continued to try everything they could but they just couldn’t really break down the Canes defence. Even after a nicely finished try by Boshier the Canes still looked in control at all times. The Hurricanes have a bye next week while the Chiefs have a road trip to Queensland where they will want to get their season back on course with a good win.

Full Time 80' - The Hurricanes have beaten their rivals the Chiefs in a thrilling game tonight 25 - 13. Two very different halves of rugby with the first being quite slow and cagey as both sides prodded and probed each other's defences. The Chiefs had lots of possession and territory but the Canes lead at half time thanks to being more clinical when they did have opportunities and to their incredible winger Ben Lam who scored a great try. The match was waiting for something to really ignite it and not surprisingly Beauden Barrett provided the spark. One try and one great assist and the Canes were well away and the Chiefs could never really catch up. Full match report to come. Hurricanes: 25 Chiefs: 13

Penalty Goal 80' - Canes decide to go for goal with Jordie stepping up. He's about 43 metres out and has slotted it easily! That wraps it all up here and the Hurricanes have won by 12 points! Hurricanes: 25 Chiefs: 13

Penalty 78' - Chiefs win their own scrum and go in search of a crucial try. But the Canes win it back in midfield and get the penalty with less than a minute to go. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

78' - Canes have the line out about 30 metres out from the Chiefs line and they win it. They start to go through some narrow hit ups before getting it out to the midfield. A Canes knock on though stops the move and the Chiefs will have the scrum and 2 minutes to make something legendary happen. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

Penalty 75' - Wonderful run from Evans at the back of the Canes scrum and he takes his team up to their own 10m line. Great energy this late in the game. And the Canes get the penalty too and pump it into touch deep in the Chiefs half. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

74' - McKenzie is everywhere for the Chiefs and trying everything he can but he just can't break down this Canes defence. 5 minutes to go and the Canes have a line out on the half way line. Chiefs have to find a way to get a try in next couple of minutes to really put the pressure on and they start well by stealing the line out. They are up inside the Canes 22 but then they knock on at the breakdown and the Canes will have the scrum. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

73' - Canes win the line out but Chiefs have stolen it at the maul. Couple of phases later and the Chiefs have been tackled into touch again on half way. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

Penalty 72' - Canes have the line out about 35 metres out from the Chiefs line. And they've earned themselves a penalty too as the Chiefs concede their 9th penalty. Canes go for touch and will have a line out just 5m out from the Chiefs line. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

71' - Final 10 minutes - 9 point game. Chiefs have the ball back on half way after the Canes kicked to clear their lines. But they lose the ball forward and Canes have it back. Jordie Barrett puts in a deep kick and forces the Chiefs back again. McKenzie looks to try and gas Laumape on the outside but the Canes centre covers him nicely and puts him into touch. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

69' - Some more aerial ping pong from both sides before McKenzie spots some open space to kick into and gets his team some good territory gains. Canes will have the line out just outside their own 22. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

68' - Poor kick from the Canes gives the Chiefs chance to counter and McKenzie makes one of his great broken play runs and the Chiefs make good ground down their left. They are looking good here but then another silly error and the pass is knocked forwards and the Canes will have a scrum on their own 22. Those errors are killing the Chiefs. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

66' - Chiefs have a line out on half way. They win it but the pass back to the #9 is poor and they have to tidy it all up. They end up kicking as they are going backwards and the Canes have it again. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

Penalty 65' - 15 minutes to go in this game and the Chiefs still with plenty of work to do. It's a Chiefs scrum inside their own 22. Their pack does a great job and earns the penalty. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

64' - Canes kick out of defence but it's still in play and the Chiefs come running back again in search of another key score. But loose pass from McKenzie slows down the attack and the Chiefs have to start again from inside their own half. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

63' - Canes back in possession after a line out and they have it just inside the Chiefs half. But the Chiefs steal it back and McKenzie chips ahead nicely and runs the ball into touch forcing the Canes back deep into their own 22. Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13

61' - Wonderful rugby here! The Chiefs are able to counter wonderfully as Alaimalo takes a Barrett cross kick, shrugs off the tackle and then releases Faauli who gets so close to beating Jordie on the outside but the full back tackles him well into touch. The Chiefs will not lie down! Hurricanes: 22 Chiefs: 13