Chiefs put 50 past hapless Reds

Editor

The Chiefs consolidated their position at the top of the Australasian Group after claiming a 50-5 victory over Reds in Brisbane on Friday.

As the scoreline suggests, this was a one-sided affair and the two-time champions outscored their hosts by eight tries to one with Seta Tamanivalu and Damian McKenzie leading the way with a brace apiece.

The result means the Chiefs can not be overtaken at the top of the Australasian Group table this weekend. They currently have 51 points from 14 matches with their closest rivals, the Crusaders, who play the Rebels in Christchurch on Saturday, on 45 points after the same number of matches. 

The Reds, meanwhile, are second from bottom in the Australian Conference with 16 points from 14 matches.

The Reds were their own worst enemies and a combination of unforced errors and poor discipline played a huge part in their downfall. This was best illustrated during the latter part of the first half when they were reduced to 13 men after Nick Frisby and Jack Tuttle received yellow cards. 

Frisby received his marching orders when he prevented Lachlan Boshier from scoring a certain try in the 29th minute and three minutes later, Tuttle followed suite after playing McKenzie in the air.

The Chiefs' free-flowing style yielded a try as early as the opening minute, Tamanivula rounding off a flowing move after Hendrik Tui conceded a turnover just outside his 22.

The visitors continued to attack and were rewarded 10 minutes later when Atu Moli got over the whitewash before Chris Kuridrani got over for the Reds' only try midway through the half, after Curtis Browning and Samu Kerevi did well in the build-up.

Frisby's foul on Boshier was also punished with a penalty try and soon after Tuttle was also sent to the sin bin, the visitors increased their lead via a try by their captain Sam Cane after Aaron Cruden set up the score with a break upfield.

In the 36th minute Tamanivalu crossed for his second five-pointer after running onto a pass from Anton Lienert-Brown which gave the Chiefs a healthy 33-5 lead at half-time.

The Reds did well to prevent the visitors from scoring for the first 15 minutes after the restart before Lienert-Brown put McKenzie in for his first try with a well timed pass deep inside the home side's 22.

The Chiefs didn't take their foot off the pedal and two late tries from Nathan Harris and McKenzie sealed their win by their biggest-ever victory margin over their hosts.

The scorers:

For Reds:
Try:
Kuridrani
Yellow Cards: Frisby, Tuttle

For Chiefs:
Tries:
McKenzie 2, Tamanivalu 2, Moli, Penalty Try, Cane, Harris
Cons: McKenzie 5

Reds: 15 Jack Tuttle, 14 Chris Kuridrani, 13 Samu Kerevi, 12 Henry Taefu, 11 Eto Nabuli, 10 Duncan Paia’aua, 9 Nick Frisby, 8 Curtis Browning, 7 Liam Gill, 6 Hendrik Tui, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Cadeyrn Neville, 3 Greg Holmes, 2 Andrew Ready, 1 James Slipper (c)
Replacements: 16 Matt Mafi, 17 Sef Fa’agase, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Lukhan Tui, 20 Leroy Houston, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Anthony Fainga’a, 23 Campbell Magnay

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Toni Pulu, 13 Seta Tamanivalu, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 James Lowe, 10 Aaron Cruden (cc), 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Sam Cane (cc), 7 Lachlan Boshier, 6 Tom Sanders, 5 Taleni Seu, 4 Dominic Bird, 3 Atu Moli, 2 Nathan Harris, 1 Kane Hames
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Siegfried Fisi’ihoi, 18 Siate Tokolahi, 19 Mitchell Brown, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Andrew Horrell, 23 Sam McNicol

Referee: Nick Briant
Assistant Referees: Nic Berry, Jordan Way
TMO: Damien Mitchelmore