Chiefs claim Super 14 top spot
The Chiefs surged to the top of the Super 14 table after beating the Hurricanes 16-8 in a pulsating encounter in Hamilton on Saturday.
Last Updated: 09/05/09 11:58am
The Chiefs surged to the top of the Super 14 table after beating the Hurricanes 16-8 in a pulsating encounter in Hamilton on Saturday.
With both sides attacking from all angles and positions throughout, the low scoreline belied the intensity of a match that fans and players were acutely aware might be a dress rehearsal for the final.
Chiefs fly-half Stephen Donald scored all of his team's points, landing three first-half penalties then converting his own try early in the second half.
The Hurricanes took the initial advantage though, winning the early battle at the scrum at and the breakdown, and staying solid in defence to stifle a probing Chiefs attack.
Donald struck an early penalty to give The Chiefs a 3-0 lead but Wellington hit back with a penalty to Ripia.
The first try of the match came after 10 minutes, hooker Andrew Hore forcing the turnover and center Ma'a Nonu wrong-footing the defense before offloading for winger David Smith to slide over in the left corner.
Killer blow
But in wet and slippery conditions, it was kicking for goal and position that separated the teams.
And, in contrast to Donald's four from five Wellington fly-half Willie Ripia landed just one from his five attempts at goal.
It was the Chiefs stand-off who gave his side their 9-8 half-time lead when he slotted home shortly before the break after Conrad Smith was caught offside in front of the poles
Immediately after the restart the Chiefs struck their killer blow courtesy of Donald, who slipped past prop John Schwalger, then sidestepped Wellington fullback Cory Jane to score under the posts and then convert for what were the last points of the match.
The Hurricanes began to impose themselves on the game with a tad more structure and earned themselves a couple of penalties.
But Ripia's radar was not well-calibrated and as time ticked down, the eight-point margin grew and grew in importance until the final whistle handed victory to the hosts
