It’s being called the most unpredictable weekend in Super Rugby in recent history, if not ever, largely due to the Sunwolves’ upset win in Hamilton.
This was the Japanese franchise’s seventh win, and just their first away victory, coming in their fourth season of competition.
You could argue it was their best ever performance, especially when you look back at some of their blowout losses in the past – notably their 92-17 defeat at the hands of the Cheetahs, a 94-7 loss to the Lions, and when they fell to the Hurricanes by the score of 83-17.
While wins against New Zeland teams are hard to come by, especially at their home grounds, many of which are real fortresses, the Chiefs seem to be the best of a bad bunch to play.
Going down narrowly to the Highlanders was slightly unexpected, and while this defeat doesn’t quite make them look like easy-beats, it takes some of the shine off the Brumbies’ domination of the Waikato locals last weekend.
Not to mention giving some credibility back to the Waratahs after their dodgy win in Tokyo.
With the All Black resting arrangements, test lock Brodie Retallick had to come off at halftime, and goodness knows the Chiefs needed him down by 20 with most players having shockers.
The Sunwolves are always going to nab a try or two via their all-or-nothing gameplan, but with a flurry of turnovers conceded, multiple lost lineouts and a failure to capitalise on a dominant penalty count, the home team gave the game away.
Damien McKenzie had a negative impact at ten, a poor game which included kicking the ball dead from inside his own half – inexcusable at this level, and a fair summary of the Chiefs’ night.
This result only adds insult to injury for the home team: after conceding 84 points from their first two games as they limped to a demoralising defeat to a very-beatable Japanese side.
Critics are not holding back.
Though it’s too early to be speaking of finals, for those wanting to see the Chiefs in their eighth consecutive finals appearance, I say, ‘don’t hold your breath.’
Credit is due to the Sunwolves however. They burst into action from the get-go, finding themselves up by a try after just two minutes and up by ten by the five-minute mark.
(Michael Bradley/AFP/Getty Images)
The visitors didn’t dominate any stats as the difference between the sides being: when the Sunwolves weren’t dropping the ball, they were scoring points while the hosts were putting in poor kicks.
The Chiefs scored their last try in the 64th minute so they had every opportunity to, if not win, potentially get a losing bonus point.
The visitors will take that win and back themselves in with a chance against the Blues. However, if your tipping was anything like mine, you won’t be hurrying to think about that.
The job for the Chiefs doesn’t get any easier as they play a dangerously potent Hurricanes side at home.
Looking forward, they play a dark horse Bulls in South Africa before making the trip to Argentina for the Jaguares. None from six is a real possibility.
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