Chiefs

Blues thump Chiefs to win six straight as Crusaders pip Hurricanes

The visitors overcame three yellow cards, two of which reduced them to 13 men for a period in the first half, to claim their sixth successive win.

The Blues defence was impressive, they didn't let the Chiefs score while they were missing players to the sin bin.

The Blues scored a length of the field try to Tom Robinson, which was sparked by Mark Telea and Rieko Ioane and included a Beauden Barrett cross-field kick.

It's the first time the Chiefs have failed to score a point in their 26-year history.

Chiefs hold off Hurricanes

The Hurricanes, led by captain Ardie Savea who scored an impressive try, fought back from 30-15 down in the final 15 minutes but couldn't take the lead from the Chiefs who have now beaten them three times in a row.

The Hurricanes, back at home for the first time in almost a year, will be disappointed following their upset loss to Moana Pasifika last round.

The Chiefs now have four wins from six games while the Hurricanes have two wins from five.

The Crusaders and Blues are the best performing New Zealand sides with each recording five wins from six games.

 

Moana Pasifika suffer heavy home defeat

Despite not being able to call upon 17 squad members through Covid-19 cases and injuries, the Chiefs ran away with the match in the second half to record their third win in four games.

The visitors lead 19-7 at half time thanks to tries from Bryn Gatland, Hamilton Burr and Emoni Narawa.

Jonah Lowe touched down for the Chiefs shortly after the break to extend the lead, before a flurry of tries from Tupou Vaa'i, Pita Gus Sowakula, Brad Weber, Alex Nankivell and Tyrone Thompson blew out the scoreline.

Moana Pasifika make three changes for first home game

Sione Tu'ipulotu will make his debut on the blindside flank, with fellow 'Ikale Tahi international Solomone Funaki switching to the openside in place of Manu Samoa loose forward Alamanda Motuga, who is sidelined with a wrist injury.

There's also a new pairing in the halves with Samoa's Jonathan Taumateine and former Wallabies pivot Christian Leali'ifano taking the reins from Ereatara Enari and Lincoln McClutchie.

Moana Pasifika held their own in their debut match against the Crusaders in round three, scoring the opening try in the 33-12 defeat.

Covid affected Chiefs cobble team together for Moana Pasifika clash

Following a thrilling victory over the Crusaders in Christchurch, the Chiefs will play Moana Pasifika at Mt Smart Stadium this Saturday night, the only Super Rugby Pacific match in New Zealand this weekend.

The new fixture was announced yesterday due to COVID outbreaks in the Blues, Highlanders, and Crusaders squads which forced New Zealand Rugby to amend this weekend's schedule.

The Chiefs were originally set to play the Hurricanes and Moana Pasifika were to play the Highlanders.

Hurricanes ready to roll again in Super Rugby Pacific

Last weekend's match against Moana Pasifika was postponed as they were unable to field a side because of the virus.

There is a chance that this weekend's game against the Chiefs in Wellington will be pushed back a day until Sunday.

The game is scheduled for Saturday night, but the Hurricanes coach assistant Chris Gibbes said there are discussions about delaying it a day.

"From our perspective having an extra day with the game on Sunday would be massively beneficial for us so hopefully we can get that across the line.

Chiefs win heavyweight clash

The home side looked in control of the blockbuster encounter until a last gasp try secured an epic 24-21 win for the Chiefs.

Desperate defence from the Crusaders on their goal line as the final whistle beckoned was not enough to prevent the Waikato side prevailing.

For the Chiefs, Rameka Poihipi, scored the decider, with another two tries to Shaun Stevenson. The Waikato-side also claimed its first win since 2016 over the powerhouse Canterbury team.

Chiefs head coach Clayton McMillan said his players competed at the set piece and showed plenty of determination.

Highlanders told by referees that Pita Gus Sowakula's try was illegal

That’s the verdict reached by New Zealand Rugby’s [NZR’s] referees, who have informed Highlanders head coach Tony Brown that the try was an illegal act that should have been classified as dangerous play.

Brown confirmed on Wednesday that the try, which saw Sowakula hurdle Highlanders halfback Aaron Smith to score in the left-hand corner, was now deemed by NZR as illegal after confusion reigned over whether the try should have been awarded.

Chiefs given all clear to leave Super Rugby bubble, other teams set to head home

The Chiefs will be the first to leave on Wednesday after their match against Moana Pasifika this weekend was called off due to the lingering affects of the Covid outbreak in the new team's squad.

Chiefs CEO Michael Collins said it made sense to get their squad home.

"We knew there was always an end date to when they would leave.

"With no game this weekend we thought best to try and get the team home to families to spend some time with them, which they haven't done in the past few weeks."

Chiefs shaping up well for 2022 season - McMillan

Coach Clayton McMillan touches wood as he says it given the experience that many Chiefs coaches have had to endure on the injury front.

But one thing that won't change, especially from last season, is the interest and scrutiny of who plays first five-eighths for the side.

The departure of Damian McKenzie for Japan took one factor out of the equation temporarily, but Josh Ioane's arrival from the Highlanders has returned the interest in the question.