Chiefs power past Reds
The Chiefs continued their march towards a Super 14 semi-final thanks to a pulsating 32-20 victory over the Reds.
Last Updated: 26/04/08 11:22am
The Chiefs continued their march towards a Super 14 semi-final thanks to a pulsating 32-20 victory over the Reds, a result that temporarily takes them up to second in the standings.
In an exciting game, the hosts bagged two converted tries in the opening ten minutes as they looked like dominating, but the Reds made a real game of it in the end.
Stephen Donald gave the hosts the dream start as he collected his clever chip and cruised in under the posts, before creating a second for Lelia Masaga.
Masaga added his second just before half time, again created by Donald, and the Chiefs looked to be home and dry. However the Reds came out after the break a new team and hit their hosts with a three-try blitz that almost turned the game.
Morgan Turinui scored two of the three tries and was instrumental in the fightback, as was second half replacement Digby Ioane.
A sparkling attack from the Reds three minutes into the second half saw quick ball fired out to Turinui, who showed good pace to cruise outside Mils Muliaina and dot down in the corner.
Comeback
Five minutes later and the Reds were right back in it as Berrick Barnes sliced through a lackadaisical Chiefs defence and when the ball was moved wide Ioane had the simple task of dotting down to spark the revival.
After twenty passes and eight phases of play Turinui cut back against the flow to score under the posts for one of the tries of the season.
After conceding seventeen unanswered points the Chiefs continued to play an attacking brand of rugby and were rewarded with three welcome points from Donald's boot.
As the Reds pushed for their fourth try the Chiefs struck a killer blow - scoring a fourth try of their own. Quad Cooper was looking to free Turinui down the right but Sione Lauaki snapped up the pass to race away and score.
It will be remembered as one of the games of the season and when all is said and done it could prove to be a vital five points for the Chiefs. The Reds showed they are an ever-improving side but Phil Mooney still has plenty to work on in the finishing department.
