Chiefs run riot
The Chiefs underlined their Super 14 title credentials with a 63-34 win over the Blues.
Last Updated: 23/03/09 11:14am
The Chiefs underlined their Super 14 title credentials with a 63-34 win over the Blues in Hamilton.
In a wonderful open game, the Chiefs backline came into its own. Sitiveni Sivivatu had a hat-trick by 26 minutes - his team having also bagged a bonus point by then - and the back row put in a monumental effort to destroy any Blues momentum.
The scoreline makes the game appear more one-sided than the reality. The Blues attempted no less running than their hosts - after 20 minutes they had little choice, so far behind were they.
At the hour mark, possession was 50-50. The Blues even shaded it in terms of territory, yet the Chiefs led an astounding 56-20.
In all, there were 14 tries, nine to the hosts and five to the visitors who reaped a deserved bonus point for their efforts.
There were also moments of mirth as well as action - not least when referee Mark Lawrence was cleaned out at a ruck and then elbowed Ali Williams on the nose as he signalled a free-kick. This game just had everything that good about rugby.
The opening try was scored in the third minute by Sivivatu, who slid in for TMO approval after a quick tap penalty by the excellent Brendon Leonard.
Donald converted from the touchline to begin his near-perfect day - a later penalty off the post the only blemish on his record.
Exciting
Two minutes later the Blues hit back. Ali Williams peeled off the back of a maul to storm down the right, popped inside to Chris Lowrey who somehow got the ball off again in the tackle to Isaia Toeava.
Gopperth missed the conversion, but landed a penalty from within his own half to briefly give the Blues the lead.
The Chiefs then hit full flow. Sivivatu popped up in the middle, dummied, stepped and accelerated away under the posts. Then a grubber kick from Donald after a turnover - not the first - bounced kindly for Richard Kahui who also crossed by the poles.
That was followed by another turnover which went through the backline hands to give Sivivatu a 30 metre run-in, briefly avoiding cousin Joe Rokocoko on the way. Donald converted all three tries for a 28-8 bonus-point lead after 26 minutes.
And the points continued to flow as, from yet another turnover of Blues' attacking ball, Leonard hacked the ball on, picked it up, and coasted home unopposed under the posts.
But the Blues never stopped at least trying to attack, even if it was playing into their opponent's hands. At 35-8 down, their only chance of getting anything was by scoring four tries so caution was thrown to the wind.
That all culminated in a rare fluid spell of pressure, and an excellent tap penalty move down the line for Rokocoko to cross on the stroke of half-time. Gopperth converted from the touchline for a 35-15 half-time scoreline.
The Blues attacked first after the break with Lowrey crossing the line but failing to convince the TMO he had grounded the ball.
Effervescent
On 48 minutes, the effervescent Lelia Masaga took a pass at pace from Leonard after yet another turnover and crossed - again, under the posts.
Immediately the Blues struck back, with Rokocoko making the initial thrust and Anthony Tuitavake taking the ball around the side of the ensuing ruck.
Right from the restart Justin Collin spilled the ball and Liam Messam pounced while the Blues gawped, steaming home to give his side a 49-20 advantage.
The next try was probably the pick of the bunch. Masaga, Sivivatu, Muliaina and Kahui all combined, with switches and offloads and perfect pass timing sending Callum Bruce in for a slice of the scoring action.
Finally a pause in the scoring, but never in the action. The Chiefs pack managed to tear the ball away from Ali Williams as he drove for the line. Kahui, with an overlap begging, overcooked a pass straight into touch.
The final 10 minutes featured yet more tries. Mealamu and Toeava combined and Jamie Helleur scored the Blues' fourth, earning them a deserved bonus point.
The Chiefs' backs responded with another mesmerising piece of interplay to send Sivivatu away for a fourth, one which broke several records, not least Roger Randle's long-held mark of the most tries for the Chiefs in one game.
The final points came after a powerful late Blues scrum, the ball went wide for Rokocoko to notch his second, one which was rounded off by another majestic conversion from the touchline.
