Chiefs fightback floors Blues

David Skippers

The Chiefs made a fantastic start to their 2020 Super Rugby campaign when they notched a 37-29 victory over the Blues in Auckland on Friday.

In a fast-paced and hotly-contested encounter, momentum between the sides ebbed and flowed throughout but despite being on the back foot during the first half, the Chiefs launched a great fightback in the second period which eventually secured them the result.

Tries from Samisoni Taukei’aho (2), Pita Sowakula, Aidan Ross and Solomon Alaimalo got the job done for the Chiefs while Aaron Cruden finished with a 12-point haul courtesy of three conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.

For the Blues, Rieko Ioane led the way with a brace of tries and Tony Lamborn and Karl Tu’inukuafe also scored five-pointers. Their other points came via three conversions from Stephen Perofeta and a penalty from Harry Plummer.

The home side were fastest out of the blocks and after dominating the early exchanges, they took the lead in the 17th minute courtesy of a well-taken try from USA international Lamborn. This, after TJ Faiane laid the groundwork with a telling break before he offloaded to Lamborn, who shrugged off a couple of defenders on his way over the try-line.

Faiane turned provider again 10 minutes later when he threw an inside pass to Ioane inside the Chiefs 22 and the All Black wing showed great determination and leg drive before crossing for his side’s second try.

Five minutes before half-time, the Chiefs opened their account when Taukei’aho scored their opening try off a lineout drive deep inside Blues territory but that did not deter the hosts, who struck back with Ioane’s second five-pointer on the stroke of half-time.

The Blues were camped close to the Chiefs’ try-line before Jonathan Ruru got a pass out to the on-rushing Ioane, who burst through a tackle before crashing over under the posts. Perofeta added the extras which gave his side a 19-5 lead at half-time.

The Chiefs needed a response and their head coach, Warren Gatland, rung the changes during the interval. Gatland made five alterations in all and amongst those replacements were the experienced All Blacks inside backs Cruden and Anton Lienert-Brown, who sparked an immediate improvement in the Chiefs attack.

Shortly after the restart, another lineout drive close to the Blues try-line resulted in Taukei’aho going over for his second try. The visitors continued to dominate and were level by the 51st minute when Sowakula barged over from close quarters.

The Blues did not panic, however, and regained their lead when Tu’inukuafe dotted down after a pick-up-and-go close to his opponents’ line. That would be the last time the home side would cross the whitewash, however, as the Chiefs finished stronger. Tries from Ross and Alaimalo put the visitors back in front before Cruden landed a drop goal in the 75th minute.

Plummer slotted a penalty shortly afterwards but Cruden cancelled that out when he added a three-pointer of his own just before full-time.

In other action, the Brumbies edged out the Reds 27-24 in their Australian derby in Canberra. Irae Simone, Tom Wright, Folau Fainga’a and Tom Banks crossed the whitewash for the home side and Noah Lolesio added a couple of conversions and a penalty.

Despite finishing on the losing side, it was a memorable game for former Brumbies wing Henry Speight, who became the first player to score at try against every Super Rugby side when he crossed for the Reds’ opening five-pointer in the 18th minute.

The Reds’ other points came via tries from Harry Wilson and Bryce Hegarty, who also kicked three conversions and a penalty.

Blues