As the Western Force’s finals hopes blew up in smoke, the Chiefs moved one step closer to securing top-four finish and a home-quarter final after a commanding 56 – 7 win in Waikato.
Trailing 29 – 7 at halftime, the Force were their own worst enemies for much of the game, with discipline and execution at the ruck falling short on multiple occasions. Off the back of a strong set-piece performance, the Chiefs piled on nine tries – including a hattrick to winger Daniel Rona – ran out 49-point winners.
The win was the Chiefs’ greatest over the Force, besting their 53 – 10 victory in 2016. However, it was not all good news for the Waikato side, with star fly-half Damian McKenzie forced off in the 56th minute following a head knock.
Missing the kick-off in the first ten seconds and conceding three penalties in the first three minutes, the Force struggled to keep pace in the opening half hour, as tries to Emoni Narawa, Rona and Tupou Vaa’i and a flawless night from McKenzie saw the hosts pick up the bonus point in the opening 20 minutes.
The Force came back well in the final ten minutes of the half, earning a penalty try – however, they were unable to double their score going into halftime, with Sam Spink held up over the try line.
Ill-discipline proved costly early in the second half, as the Chiefs piled on a further five tries in the second half to push the hosts past fifty – with the result capped off when referee James Doleman sent Hamish Stewart to the bin off the back of repeated infringements.
The visitors were forced to make 153 tackles – and missed 21 of them – giving Simon Cron and his coaching team a lot to unpack. The penalty count also saw them concede 12 penalties – double that of the Chiefs – with discipline and basic errors stifling momentum.
Captain Jeremy Williams admitted post-game that “I don’t really have many words for that.”
“I think we were our own worst enemy, with our discipline, piggy-backing them in our 22, they just capitalised on it.
“At the backend of that first half we kind of gained a bit of momentum, but in the second half we struggled to slow their ruck speed and they just played on top of us.”
The news wasn’t all positive for the Chiefs, with McKenzie forced to depart midway through the second half after copping a tough hit from Izack Rodda. He was also joined on the sidelines by talented lock Naitoa Ah Kuoi, who was forced from the field in the first half.
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Until his subbing, McKenzie was in strong form – having a stellar night with the boot and orchestrating several of the game’s best highlights.
While the Chiefs’ momentum was maintained after his departure, the kicking from Narawa and Josh Ioane left a lot to be desired, which could be cause for concern should McKenzie’s injury prove more significant.
Dspite the injury concerns, the Chiefs took confidence in a strong return for All Black Luke Jacobson capping off a dominant front row display, with winger Rona also featuring strongly – picking up three tries for his efforts.
Kauvaka Kalvelata impressed in his debut for the Waikato side, while scrumhalf Cortez Ratima also pressed his case for All Black consideration, keeping the foot on the throat after McKenzie departed.
The Force also were hit with injury concerns, with Issak Fines-Leleiwasa being forced from the field with an apparent ankle injury mid-way through the second half – a concern for Cron after Nic White was ruled out earlier this week with a knee injury.
However, they look to have an exciting halves talent on their hands in Junior Wallaby Henry Robertson, with the young scrumhalf impressing off the bench in his debut Super Rugby match.
The Chiefs will travel to Auckland next week to face Moana Pasifika, before making the journey across to Melbourne to face the Rebels.
Anchored at the bottom of the ladder, the WA franchise now has to win every single game to be considered a mathematical chance – with the Super Rugby Predictor giving them a 9% to make finals.
They will be home for the next fortnight, welcoming the Fijian Drua and the New South Wales Waratahs.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
well said Jacko
Guess
Roar Rookie
Yes it's what I use. Good you're not expecting much from him
Charlie Mackay
Roar Rookie
Are the Waratahs going to fund themselves, too? Asking for a CEO at RA....
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Peter Aus has as many rugby players as NZ does, NZ has as much AFL and NRL scouts as Aus does and yet RA cant sort out an NRC to become competitive. Its not the landscape thats stopping Aus its the lack of planning and decent management.
Jacko
Roar Rookie
Chiefs had 11k at this match. I dont see that as a problem.
piru
Roar Rookie
I agree we don't have the depth to support 5 SR teams at the level we want them to be. The solution though (imo) is to build it up through a proper supporting national comp, not shrink. Otherwise we'll be back here in 5 years saying we don't have the depth for 4 or 3 or whatever, it's a vicious circle.
ScrumStability
Roar Rookie
I am on record for advocating a reduction to 3 teams as we don’t have the depth to support it, let alone $$$$. I applied this to both the Rebesl and the Force (I would prefer the Force to stay for purely personal reasons). The difference between the two is the latter has a benefactor who is happy to throw the checkbook at it. Otherwise I can guarantee the Force would be getting the same treatment as the Rebels courtesy of RA.
piru
Roar Rookie
Been saying this for years. HQ is in Sydney and while the people working there are no doubt Rugby focused, they're surrounded by people who think league is the best thing in the world. It has an effect, it's why they think we call care about the newest league convert and the insistence that the Wallabies play "running Rugby".
piru
Roar Rookie
You didn't watch him all that closely then, he certainly made at least two decent ones I can think of.
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
@ScottD I watch KB very closely. He made zero tackles against Crusaders imo. Aumua went straight through him to score their 1st try. For Crusaders 2nd try KB was nowhere to be seen :laughing:
Fats
Roar Rookie
I believe Australian Rugby has been suffering from an identity crisis for a very, very long time, too long. Rugby Union is won and lost between the numbers 1 - 8. Props need to know how to "prop". If they don't have the core skills or the knowledge of scrumming, then they and their team are....well, we've been witnessing the results for years. Rugby League focuses on ball carrying ability, in Union it's a bonus. Strong set piece is the difference between winners and losers IMO.
Fats
Roar Rookie
I could be wrong but I believe the 8 team finals format was settled on to accommodate Australian Rugby. The fact that New Zealand's weakest Franchise in 2024, the Crusaders, can still make the finals is ridiculous, just like the Highlanders in 2023 but it's better than having 5 New Zealand teams + one other, year after year.
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Yeah he lost didn’t he? He continually misses passes. He’s nowhere near it.
Targa
Roar Rookie
King Country also did a lot for England rugby. A young Martin Johnson played for King Country and the NZ Colts in the 90s and learnt plenty.
piru
Roar Rookie
I'm not hearing a reason
piru
Roar Rookie
The fact we are capable of all those things but only do them sporadically tells me it's a leadership issue.
piru
Roar Rookie
Sounds like you do agree with me
piru
Roar Rookie
Only if you use the literal definition of the word, yes
Jazz
Roar Rookie
Well said RR! NZ teams are smart enough to know who to run to make metres of advantage line. All those FBs you mentioned are weak in defence, why should any back have attacking flair when you can’t defend, The hurricanes backs look just as big as the forwards, there is fast pace but dogged defence. You can bet that razor is now picking the weakest link backs that Aus has, to target them in the Rugby Championship.
Jazz
Roar Rookie
Force have never been a force since its inception, either the rebels leave the comp or the force, it’s obvious we are struggling with 5 teams and tethering on 4. I feel sorry for the fans in WA but they are no good and now are an embarrassment to SRP. Tahs are not far behind…the pool of players would be spent and spread across for franchises.