Chiefs, Highlanders score wins in Super round
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
The Chiefs secured a vital bonus point win as they took down the Fijian Drua 42-22 to conclude Super Round.
The Drua’s costly mistakes on their goal-line were the difference as the Chiefs built a lead they couldn’t recover from.
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Victory puts the Chiefs back into second on the ladder, tied top on points with the Hurricanes.
The Fijian Drua got off to a flyer as prop Mesake Doge crossed inside the first four minutes.
But the Chiefs were quick to respond with a double strike to take the lead.
Hooker Brodie McAlister saluted at the back of the rolling maul, followed over by Quinn Tupaea backing up Daniel Sinkinson’s break to continue his strong season.
The teams would trade try-savers as Isaac Hutchison stopped Frank Lomani with a diving effort in the corner, before the debutant was stopped himself under the posts.
With the game in the balance at 14-10 to the Chiefs, a brain explosion by Drua fullback Iliasia Droasese blew the game wide open.
Situated in his in-goal, the former Red grubbered for himself, getting as far as prop Jared Proffit, who dived on the ball to plant it down with his wrist.
The Chiefs compounded this error with a try to Cortez Ratima, extending their lead to 18 points.
Droasese made another try-costing blunder, just planting it down before losing it to a Chiefs player, giving the hosts the five metre scrum for Sinkinson’s second.
Replacement hooker Kavaia Tagivetaua delighted the Fijians in the crowd with a great long-range effort from the front-rower, breaking tackles and running 30 metres for the try.
Simione Kuruvoli’s dart with 14 minutes to go gave the fans hope of an epic comeback.
But replacement Tepaea Cook-Savage hit straight back to put the game out of reach with a five-pointer four minutes later.
Meanwhile the Highlanders have seen off a late charge from Moana Pasifika for the 27-17 win in Christchurch.
Facing the prospect of a second straight game going to Super Round, the hosts rallied several late advances to hold on for the victory.
Both teams set the tempo for a physical opening quarter, Moana Pasifika performing Tau Moana as the Highlanders returned with Hautoa Kia Toa.
The Highlanders had the better of the chances early, testing the visitors defence as they dominated field position.
Moana Pasifika kept them out on several occasions before Semisi Paea’s yellow card opened the space for Jonah Lowe to score the opener.
Tana Umaga’s side weren’t fazed by the yellow card, with Israel Leota scoring one of the tries of the year.
The Brisbane-bred product flew high and took a spectacular catch flying over Xavier Tito-Harris for the try in the corner off William Havili’s kick, who was moved to fly-half after Patrick Pellegrini’s sickening KO.
Moana Pasifika would soon have the lead before the break when ex-Rebel Glen Vaihu swan dived over, taking advantage of the space left after Lowe was yellow carded for a high shot.
This gave the visitors a 10-7 lead at half-time, with the Highlanders quick to level the scores after the break with a penalty.
The hosts rode the confidence from here, with tries to Angus Ta’avao and Adam Lennox giving them a 24-10 lead.
Lennox was one of several players playing out of position as the casualty ward grew, with the scrum half latching onto a kick and running away for what would be the deciding try.
Moana Pasifika gave themselves a shot at sending the game to Super Point after Augustine Palu somersaulted over the line for a try with 15 minutes to go.
They created several half breaks and chances but never found themselves in a position for the killer blow as the Highlanders survived.
A bloody Cameron Millar denied Moana Pasifika the bonus point with a late penalty goal, keeping themselves in touch with the top six.
Highlanders 27 (Lowe, Lennox, Ta'avao tries; Millar 3 con, 2 pen) Moana Pasifika 17 (Leota, Vaihu, Pulu tries; Havili 1 con)
Chiefs 42 (Sinkinson, Tupaea, McAlister, Proffit, Cook-Savage, Ratima tries; McKenzie 6 con) Fijian Drua 22 (Tagivetaua, Doge, Kuruvoli tries; Armstrong-Ravula 2 con, 1 pen)
