Donald ends Chiefs' duck

The Chiefs had to rely on a last-minute penalty kick from fly-half Stephen Donald to win 20-17 against the Waratahs in a game that so nearly ended with a draw.

The Chiefs had to rely on a last-minute penalty kick from fly-half Stephen Donald to win 20-17 against the Waratahs in a nerve-wracking game that so nearly ended in a draw.

Fifteen metres in from touch, one minute to go and a strong breeze belting down, Donald – who had a miserable 79 minutes with the boot – coolly slotted the three-pointer to capture his side's first win of the 2008 Super 14.

Despite a gallant fightback, the Waratahs go home with only a losing bonus point.

In an error-strewn game that both teams will want to forget in a hurry, the match did produce moments of brilliance together with a touch of madness.

The Chiefs will be wondering how they were staring defeat in the face after notching up a 17-0 lead which the Waratahs managed to turn around and draw level with thanks to a ten-minute fightback.

Kurtley Beale will be haunted by his missed touchline conversion after the Waratahs' pivot was unable to put his side in front and – perhaps – win the game.

Instead, the honours went to Donald who also had a nightmare with the boot.

Tightening up their set-piece after the Blues' dominance in that area led to a convincing win in Round One, the Chiefs bounced back in style against a Waratahs side that lacked the finishing panache to threaten an away victory – until the final ten minutes that is.

In a first half that ran almost breathlessly from try-line to try-line, it was the home team that took advantage of their opportunities while the visitors came up short on a handful of occasions.

It was no surprise then that the first points came from the Chiefs, through a Messam try just minutes after Donald squandered his first shot at goal.

The miss was so bad, that Chiefs skipper Jono Gibbes decided that the line-out was probably a better option after the Waratahs were penalised for strolling offside.

Gibbes did the business in the air and the rest of his troops followed suit on the ground. A pop pass from Brendon Leonard to a charging Messam led to a missed tackle from Beale and an opening try for the Chiefs.

Donald's conversion was far worse than his earlier penalty attempt and the Chiefs had to settle for a five-point lead after fifteen minutes played.

However, the home team were able to extend their lead thanks to what arguably could be the try-of-the-tournament thus far.

With the Waratahs once again under pressure on their line, full-back Lachie Turner fired what looked like a decent touch-finder. That was until Mils Muliaina opted for a quick line-out to fellow All Black winger Sitiveni Sivivatu.

In a superb solo effort, the Chiefs flyer set off on a 50-metre run to the Waratahs' try-line that included two dummies, a side-step and a hand-off. His full house of skills ended with a fine touchdown under the sticks.

It was a fine way to celebrate his 50th game for the Chiefs – one metre of ground gained for every game played!

Donald was more successful with his conversion this time round and the Chiefs had a comfortable 12-0 lead at half-time.

In the second half, the Chiefs continued where they left off with another try. This time it was centre Richard Kahui to cross the whitewash after a controlled backline move inside the Brumbies 22 stretched the visitors' defence to the limit.

Kahui brushed off a tackle from 'Tahs number nine Brett Sheehan and took a further two tacklers with him as he crashed over in some pain.

He was forced from the field with a knee injury, but the damage was more significant for the visitors as they slipped to a 0-17 deficit.

The lead was cut to ten points just moments later when a smart Waratahs backline move saw Ben Jacobs slicing through the flat Chiefs defence like a hot knife through butter.

Sivivatu was left for dead as the centre dotted down near the posts for a converted try.

The game stagnated in the middle period, but came alight in the last 10 minutes and the Waratahs threatened to snatch their second win in a row over New Zealand sides after last week's home win over the Hurricanes.

First, replacement back Sam Harris snatched an intercept try when Sivivatu's switch with Callum Bruce went horribly wrong. Then the TMO decided wing Lote Tuqiri had forced the ball down in the tackle with only four minutes remaining on the clock.

Alas, the Waratahs' brave effort was short lived as Harris – a hero just minutes earlier – was penalised for an infringement in the ruck and the rest, as they say, is history.

Man of the match: Waratahs number eight Wycliff Palu was constantly a thorn in the Chiefs' backside, as was lock Dean Mumm, who pulled off a tremendous try-saving tackle on Stephen Donald which ultimately led to the Waratahs' fightback. For the Chiefs, Richard Kahui was the star in the backline before he was forced off injured and number eight Sione Lauaki was a menace up front. But our vote goes to the hard-working Liam Messam, who continues to put in the hard yards week in and week out. His try was just reward for a flawless 80 minutes on the pitch in attack and defence.

Moment of the match: Sivivatu's solo effort deserves a mention – though the rest of his contribution to the match does not. Lote Tuqiri's 78th minute try followed by Beale's missed touchline conversion was nerve-wracking stuff. But it was Donald's match-winning kick that made beauty salons in Hamilton a tad bit richer after Chiefs' fans would have left a mountain of chewed off nails under their seats leading up to the last kick of the match.

Villain of the match: Lachie Turner was on the receiving end of a late shoulder charge by Jono Gibbes and Tom Willis nearly had his head taken off by a swinging arm from Palu. Neither were yellow card offences, but a slap on the two bullies' wrists for their efforts.

The scorers:

For Chiefs:
Tries: Messam, Sivivatu, Kahui
Con: Donald
Pen: Donald

For Waratahs:
Tries: Adams, Harris, Tuqiri
Con: Beale

Chiefs: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Viliame Waqaseduadua, 13 Richard Kahui, 12 Callum Bruce, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Stephen Donald, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Sione Lauaki, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Kevin O'Neill, 4 Jono Gibbes (c), 3 Ben Castle, 2 Tom Willis, 1 Simms Davison.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Ben May, 18 Toby Lynn, 19 Faifili Levave, 20 Tom Harding, 21 David Bason, 22 Lelia Masaga.

Waratahs: 15 Lachie Turner, 14 Timana Tahu, 13 Ben Jacobs, 12 Tom Carter, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Brett Sheehan, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Phil Waugh (c), 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Dan Vickerman, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Adam Freier, 1 Matt Dunning.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Will Caldwell, 19 Beau Robinson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Sam Harris, 22 Alfi Mafi.

Referee: Marius Jonker (South Africa)
Touch judges: Phillip Bosch (South Africa), Lyndon Bray (New