Opening try: Tim Nanai-Williams
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The Chiefs were crowned Super Rugby champions for the first time after brushing aside the toothless Sharks 37-6 in a one-sided final at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium on Saturday.
Whilst the hosts were deserved winners and full value for their win, the Sharks were always going to be at a significant disadvantage following their taxing travelling schedule - their last stop ultimately proving to be a bridge too far for the visitors.
Besides the opening 20 minutes of the game, the season finale was sadly a mis-match as the Chiefs outplayed their travel-weary South African counterparts in all facets of play. All the Sharks had to do was turn up and the Chiefs did the rest.
There wasn't any anxious moments as you would expect in a final compared to last week's two nerve-racking encounters. Instead, relaxed Chiefs fans could sit back and watch their team dismantle the opposition.
Tries by Tim Nanai-Williams, Kane Thompson, Lelia Masaga and Sonny Bill Williams ensured that the Chiefs were always well clear of their opponents.
Fly-half Aaron Cruden delivered another stunning performance and he too ensured that his side stayed in control of proceedings by knocking over all four conversions and three penalties, while the Sharks' only replies came from the boot of fly-half Frederic Michalak.
The French international was not as hot as he was during the play-offs and semis, whilst the returning Patrick Lambie also failed to hit the mark.
Tactically the Sharks dished up their poorest showing of the season while their normally solid defence crumbled as the match wore on. Then there were also a number of unforced errors that added to the team's frustration, and the previously dominant Sharks forwards were put through their paces by a powerhouse Chiefs pack.
The Sharks did enjoy the better of the opening exchanges after a JP Pietersen kick drilled the Chiefs into the corner and Ryan Kankowski stole the line-out. But their only reward was a sole penalty by Michalak before the Chiefs began to work their way into the game with superior forward power and a more accurate kicking game.
A 10-minute period of relentlessly testing the Sharks' defence ended when Chiefs centre Andrew Horrell recovered a Cruden chip kick knocked on by Lambie, and a Williams' break led to Tim Nanai-Williams scoring out wide.
Cruden landed the touchline conversion and two penalties after the Du Plessis brothers Jannie and Bismarck both infringed to have the Chiefs ahead 13-3 at half-time.
Chiefs hooker Mahonri Schwalger put his side in command at the start of the second half when he stole the kick-off from the Sharks forwards. From an attacking scrum, number eight Kane Thompson was able to pick up the ball and run through a huge gap to score the Chiefs' second try.
Replacement wing Lelia Masaga put the match firmly in the Chiefs' grasp with 20 minutes remaining when he snapped up a misdirected Keegan Daniel pass and raced 50 metres to the line, stepping deftly around Lambie on the way.
Cruden landed the conversion and a further penalty before Williams, in his final match for the Chiefs, capped off the scoring with a try in the closing minutes which he followed with a celebratory dive into the crowd.
Man of the match: Tough one! The Chiefs back three were always in the thick of it, while prop Sona Taumalolo was once again a bull-dozer on attack. But the official gong went to co-captain Liam Messam after the match, and we find it pretty hard to argue with that choice.
Moment of the match: It has to be SBW's leap of joy into the home crowd after scoring his try. A sight to behold and one never seen before as far as we can recall in the beautiful game...
Villain of the match: No yellow or red cards shown, but Chiefs prop Ben Tameifuna can thank his lucky stars after his high hit on Ryan Kankowski wasn't picked up by the officials.
The scorers:
For Chiefs:
Tries: Nanai-Williams, Thompson, Masaga, Williams
Cons: Cruden 4
Pens: Cruden 3
For Sharks:
Pens: Michalak 2
Chiefs: 15 Robbie Robinson, 14 Tim Nanai-Williams, 13 Andrew Horrell, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Kane Thompson, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Mahonri Schwalger, 1 Sona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Hika Elliot, 17 Ben Afeaki, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Brendon Leonard, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Lelia Masaga.
Sharks: 15 Pat Lambie, 14 Louis Ludik, 13 JP Pietersen, 12 Paul Jordaan, 11 Lwazi Mvovo, 10 Frederic Michalak, 9 Charl McLeod, 8 Ryan Kankowski, 7 Marcell Coetzee, 6 Keegan Daniel (c), 5 Anton Bresler, 4 Willem Alberts, 3 Jannie du Plessis, 2 Bismarck du Plessis, 1 Tendai Mtawarira.
Replacements: 16 Craig Burden, 17 Wiehahn Herbst, 18 Steven Sykes, 19 Jean Deysel, 20 Jacques Botes, 21 Meyer Bosman, 22 Riaan Viljoen.
Referee: Steve Walsh
Comments
UBA05 says...
Sorry, I forgot to farewell Sonny bill (I cant believe i forgot this guy)as i was thanking Taumalolo for the memories. Those two were a huge reason as to why the Chiefs were epic this season.
Altleast SBW is 26??? and i think I have seen him qouted somewhere as saying he really enjoys playing for the Chiefs. So here's to hoping he gets bored with league in 2 years and makes a swift return to the Chiefs 12 jersey
Posted 14:13 04th August 2012
captkirk says...
Martin, I agree with you. Sharks went down to Cape Town and played like absolute maniacs, admittedly with the Stormers being their own worst enemy making the same mistake that Meyer made with the 3rd Boks game by not removing an off-form kicker (not to mention the crafty Walsh who assisted in orchestrating all this beautifully), and then went out with a whimper down under - bloody chokers!! What a lame duck, what a sham - what a waste of time!
Posted 14:09 04th August 2012
UBA05 says...
CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!CHIEFS!.........
The only time the sharks were in it really was when they had a 3-0 lead. The whole sharks team should hold their heads high for having overcame all they had to to make it this far. But this match's performance (all variables aside), ONLY Paul Jordaan came out with respectability. The supposed expected heroes of the Sharks were the worst on the night; Pietersen (had a great touch finder early on then closed shop) and Lambie were the worst of the bunch.
I certainly am not a fatigue expert but to me, the Sharks lost more because the Chiefs wanted it more as opposed to them being fatigued (a humble opinion).
Anyway, well done sharks and we (atleast I) thank you for taking out one of the major challenge to us winning this season (the Stormers with the other being the Crusaders)
To all 'Chiefheads' please spare a thought for all excellent players of the past eras who you almost feel sad that they weren't present, Muliaina, Sivivatu (still cant believe he got axed from the RWC), De Melmanche, Kelleher, Lauaki, Holah etc.
Only low point of the match for me, Taumalolo didnt get 2 tries and emerge outright top try scorer this season. He was very mediocre only sidestepping, putting in deft grubber kicks and showing awesome hands! Hahaha. So long big fella, thanks for the memories.
LONG MAY THE CHIEFS REIGN
Peace
Posted 13:58 04th August 2012
Piriaka says...
Go!! The Chiefs!!! (Waikato, Bay of Plenty, Thames Valley, Counties-Manukau and King Country Rugby Unions together!!)
Posted 13:53 04th August 2012
nefari says...
Stormers lost and deservedly so...
Nothing went the sharks way today, ball never bounced right 50/50 calls went the chiefs way also some calls that no doubt should have gone the sharks way also went the chiefs way... I felt that for the sharks to launch a challenge they needed some luck, some luckyt calls to give them a little push.
That said, the chiefs' scrum controlled proceedings and there (imo) is where the match was decided. So my men of the match were the chiefs' front row, congratulations you guys thoroughly deserved the cup!
Posted 13:36 04th August 2012
JayStarr says...
Pity. If this game was played on a level playing field it might have been a classic. Instead it was kind of sad to watch. As I said before the game, I don't really care who wins, but the Sharks were clearly so fatigued... they didn't stand a chance. It was like watching a lamb being taken to the slaughter. Might as well just have handed the Chiefs the trophy and avoided getting embarrassed in a mismatch...
Congratulations Chiefs, great season. Really enjoyed watching your games. Aaron Cruden my favourite player this year. Just pity the final was such an anti-climax for anyone who's not a Chiefs fan.
And I would say enjoy it, because I don't think it will happen again next year. With SBW and Taumalolo leaving, you're losing two of the three players (Cruden being the other one) who got you to the top of the log. With the competition being as tough as it is at the momnent, and the other top teams now being even more hungry, I think we'll see a different winner yet again next year.
Bring on the Rugby Championship..!
(However, if HM picks Morné Steyn, Pierre Spies and Zane Kirchner again, bring on the Currie Cup!)
Posted 12:52 04th August 2012
ArmchairGeneral says...
"Sharks were always going to be at a significant disadvantage". Why then did PR predict a close game with Chiefs by just 6 ?
Posted 12:49 04th August 2012
glenncat9 says...
aaahahah martin , really lame china .... it's pathetic when you resort to taking digs out of the team that comprehensively knocked out your own .... and then claim they still had a chance in the final :)
Posted 12:47 04th August 2012
Ramage says...
Hello it seems Martin Marais has finally surfaced took him a while though and notably absent when the Sharks were winning. However as soon as they lost he couldn't wait to burst into print and denegrate the Sharks.
Unfortunately the last step was just one step too far for the Sharks they didn't fire but at least it wasn't the Borers as lawynd has dubbed the Stormers who played the final. It will be necessary for the Borers coaching staff to take a good hard look at the style of rugby they dish up to their poor supporters and inflict on us others.
The Chief's wanted this game in a big way after the caning the Bulls dished out to the Foster coached Chief's one of the biggest hidings ever. Congratulations to Dave Rennie and his coaching squad for their fine work with the team and the team for the way they have entertained us.
Now we have a few weeks to regather our energy and get ready for the coming Internationals and hopefully see NZ add the new trophy to the Cabinet at NZRFU HQ in Weellington
Posted 12:36 04th August 2012
SACanuck says...
Congratulations Chiefs. Well played and best team of the season. Sharks tough luck but they have to learn to win the so called easy games so that they do not put themselves in this travel situation. Great achievement to take out the Aussie and SA conference winners. 2 out of 3 is not bad. Pity they did not pitch up today. Still loved the way the Chiefs manhandled the Crusaders last week.
Posted 12:21 04th August 2012
rugby_lord says...
Epic waste of time. Seriously, after Sharks defeated the Stormers, last week, SANZAR should have just given the Chiefs the trophy. Although Sharks did defeated the Stormers, the Stormers were SA's best chance to win this comp. Unfortunately, they were not good enough.
Posted 12:11 04th August 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Oh and can someone tell me who taht 3rd person leaving for the Chiefs is? i know and i call myself a fan....
Posted 12:06 04th August 2012
KiwiLad says...
Great work the Chiefs, one has to wonder about the travel of finals, perhaps a weeks break between semis and finals may help.
Cheifs were great, but I have to think that the Sharks had left their best back in the Republic.
2 years in a row the final was impacted by 1 of the teams having traveled too far.
That said, the Chiefs are deserving winners.
Posted 11:40 04th August 2012
tweedledee49 says...
I forgot to add that Well done to the Sharks as well, great showing past few weeks, shame that jetlag probably got to ya. But no matter the score, they still deserved to be in the final
Posted 11:36 04th August 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Thank you Taumalolo and SBW for a great year, you will be missed!
Travelling took its toll on the Sharks after the first 20.
Was kinda hoping Sona would score one last try, but at least SBW did! Lets hope he does the same against the Wallabies :)
Posted 11:32 04th August 2012
Mailman says...
Seems we have finally found our next world class first five!
Mailman
Posted 11:31 04th August 2012
papachinzo says...
One of the Worst final's I've ever watched... The Sharks looked worse than school level !
Even with last weeks performances, The Heineken Cup still blows this competition out of the water.
Posted 11:25 04th August 2012
noord_transvaal says...
easy on the dop Martin. Sharks did well to get to the final. Stormers are chokers and probably would have lost on Newlands. Still seems that only one S.A. team has what it takes to go all the way and lift the Super Rugby title. We all know which team that is hey ? Well done to the Chiefs, deserved winners of 2012
Posted 11:23 04th August 2012
kooper says...
Congratulations Chiefs. I was expecting a Chiefs win, but I was still hoping... Nevertheless, the Sharks were just outgunned at the end of it all. A deserved match win for the Chiefs, and a deserved tournament win.
Posted 11:22 04th August 2012
bk47 says...
Congrates to the Chiefs tonight. Dave Rennie has done wonders with this team and its only a matter of time before he gets to coach at international level.
Big ups to the Sharks who were actually looking really good for the first 20mins. I believe their lack of getting points in that time period really did them no favours. Had to score tries and only got 1 penalty.
Walsh did a good job in the game. His only faults were that both Tameifuna and SBW could have and possibly should have got cards. Tameifuna was almost leaping into that tackle on kankowski and hit him high and SBW, well that was just a blatant shoulder charge. As much as that looks cool you just cant do that. Obviously hes warming up to head back to the NRL a lil early haha. SBW did have a great game though.
Kind of gutted by the fact Clarke is likely to get an AB's call up and wont be around for Taranaki's big year of defending the log o' wood. But if he does he totally deserves it.
Posted 11:17 04th August 2012