Classy Chiefs: Too strong for 'Canes
Related links
Teams
Also see
The Chiefs stormed back to the top of the Super Rugby standings thanks to an impressive 33-14 win over the Hurricanes on Saturday.
It was the Kiwi outfit's eighth win on the trot, as the hosts outscored the 'Canes three tries to one in an entertaining spectacle at Hamilton's Waikato Stadium.
After returning home from a successful tour, the Chiefs showed no signs of travel fatigue and instead sent out a strong statement that they are the team to beat in 2012.
When the Hurricanes got their hands on the the ball, both sides were full of running. However, it was the Chiefs who dominated most of the possession, forcing the Hurricanes defensive line to work overtime and the penalties against them inevitably mounted.
Four penalties from fly-half Aaron Cruden - laser-sharp all night - gave the Chiefs a 12-3 lead, with opposite number Beauden Barrett replying with a three-pointer of his own as the half-hour mark neared.
And it was the visitors who had the last laugh in the first half, thanks to a superb solo try by Andre Taylor who scythed through the Chiefs' midfield, sold half a dummy and jinked through for his seventh try of the season.
The Hurricanes almost scored again two minutes later but left wing Julian Savea was tackled into touch just before the line. But at 12-8, the men from the New Zealand capital were back in it.
However, the Chiefs regained the ascendancy early in the second half with a try from livewire wing Lelia Masaga who took a Brendon Leonard pass from a scrum at pace to race in for a try under the sticks.
Cruden added the extras, and the Chiefs could breathe a little easier (19-8).
The 'Canes weren't prepared to roll over so easily though and Barrett clawed six points back with two penalties to give the visitors a glimmer of hope with a quarter of the match remaining.
That was as close as the Hurricanes got, though, with Sona Taumalolo notching a try - his seventh of the season - in the 65th minute, followed by fellow prop Smith also crossing with four minutes remaining to put the match beyond doubt. Much to the satisfaction of the 22,000-strong home fans
The scorers:
For Chiefs:
Tries: Masaga, Taumalolo, Smith
Cons: Cruden 3
Pens: Cruden 4
For Hurricanes:
Try: Taylor
Pens: Barrett 3
Chiefs: 15 Andrew Horrell, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Tim Nanai Williams, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Alex Bradley, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Craig Clarke (c), 3 Ben Tameifuna, 2 Hika Elliott, 1 Arizona Taumalolo.
Replacements: 16 Mahonri Schwalger, 17 Toby Smith, 18 Michael Fitzgerald, 19 Sam Cane, 20 Augustine Pulu, 21 Jackson Willison, 22 Asaeli Tikoirotuma.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith (c), 12 Tim Bateman, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Victor Vito, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Faifili Levave, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben May.
Replacements: 16 Motu Matu'u, 17 Reg Goodes, 18 Mark Reddish, 19 Jack Lam, 20 Chris Eaton, 21 Charlie Ngatai, 22 Alapati Leiua.
Referee: Jonathon White (New Zealand)
Comments
Wallaroo says...
@StunTheMullet - WOW your a genius mate would never have guessed that from the term Prop.
Bottom-line is I'd take Taumalolo over the Franks he has the right combination of strength and agility. As with you I'm entitled to my opinion.
Posted 13:45 01st May 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ jonesy2... IRB U20 player of the year in 2010 so can't be far away from AB honours - maybe the November tour? They'll be taking 32 so may be room for a specialist wing or 2 as well as the inevitable wing/ fullback (Jane) & wing/ centres (Kahui & Williams)... & he's still only 21 so plenty of time even if he doesn't make it this year.
Posted 03:17 29th April 2012
isthatrightref says...
@ jonesy2... IRB U20 player of the year in 2010 so can't be far away from AB honours - maybe the November tour? They'll be taking 32 so may be room for a specialist wing as well as the inevitable wing/ fullbacks & wing/ centres... still only 21 so plenty of time if he doesn't make it this year.
Posted 03:13 29th April 2012
hayj05 says...
Great to see the Chiefs still in the mindframe of, "If you want to beat us you've got to work harder than us". A couple of news signings & a couple of brilliant coaches & they're a transformed side. They've got to be wary of the Lions next week though, you just know what side John Mitchell would get the most satisfaction in beating.
Posted 01:26 29th April 2012
Dangerous says...
Over the years the chief squad has always looked good/exciting on paper but have either left there run too late in the season or failed to close out games when they had them won. Basically they've always been able to score tries from everywhere but they would always let in heaps as well. John Mitchell did some good stuff with them back in the day but Wayne smith and the crew have nurtured a side that can score tries and win the tight ones as well. Would be a shame for the chiefs if he went north.
Posted 22:54 28th April 2012
StunTheMullet says...
@ Wallaroo - Err..propping is a strength that normally look for in a prop.....
Posted 22:17 28th April 2012
Euskadi says...
An extremely entertaining match, the personal one on one battles for potential AB spots was great to watch, I thought the Messam Vito clash in particular was enthralling...Massam edged Vito for my money but then again Messam was in the better team. The continuity in attack from both forward packs around the rucks was only matched in the ferocity of the defence. NZ really does have some significant depth at the moment. Cruden looks the goods this year, I still think he is too small for the world stage but his experience showed vs Barret although Barret did hold his own. Kahui vs Smith was a great battle although they seldom got to meet one on one, different players but both world class. Smiths work rate, decision making and ability to be at the right place at the right time gives him the edge IMO although when it comes to AB duty the centre spot may hinge on who gets the 12 jersey and for my money that is between SBW and Tamati Ellison...but thats a different discussion.
Well done Chiefs, well played Canes. Great entertainment
Posted 18:28 28th April 2012
Wallaroo says...
@genghis_j fair point albeit I'd take him over the Franks because he's going to put points on the board.
Posted 15:43 28th April 2012
jonesy2 says...
savea has got to be in AB consideration...
Posted 14:25 28th April 2012
jonesy2 says...
NHsaints- i know right? ridiculous when you factor in the new likes of sam can, luke braid and luke whitelock
Posted 14:23 28th April 2012
tweedledee49 says...
Damn you Taumalolo! Why you so awesome? Haha, exciting game to watch. Chiefs attack was superb....again, shame they couldnt turn them into trys in the first half.
Awesome display of power by the forwards and Cruden continues to amaze me
Savea...what a beast, gets ball from a standing start and still knocks people over
Posted 13:38 28th April 2012
Wallaroo says...
Well played Chiefs, Canes put up a much better fight than I expected.
Taumalolo has to be the best prop in the world right now, the man is a machine.
Posted 12:20 28th April 2012
NHsaints says...
There's so much goddamn depth in the nz conference! Even the new side (canes) and the worst side (blues) are packed with fantastic players...I mean imagine a back 3 of Ranger, Dagg and Taylor combined with some of the new halfbacks like Barrett or Taylor and Matthewson or Perenara and the depth in world class centres...Nonu, SBW, Kahui, Smith ect and new forwards like Coles and Fauimani (or whatever his name is, the blues prop) Nz are going to be seriously tough for any team to beat...maybe even moreso than usual...
Posted 12:16 28th April 2012