Chiefs top Super Rugby table as second-half onslaught downs Highlanders
Chiefs thrash Highlanders 46-10 in bonus point win
Score five second-half tries, with two from Boshier
Late O'Connor penalties see Crusaders past Blues
Brumbies enjoy 24-0 victory against Moana Pasifika
April 19 (Reuters) - Waikato Chiefs handed the Otago Highlanders a 46-10 thrashing in Hamilton on Saturday with the bonus point win taking the Clayton McMillan-coached outfit back to the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings.
Five second-half tries saw the Chiefs pull clear after the teams were separated by three points at the interval, with flanker Kaylum Boshier crossing the line twice as his side climbed above the Canterbury Crusaders into pole position.
"We're still not the finished product, we've still got a lot to learn but we'll take that win," said Chiefs fullback Damian McKenzie. "It's never easy playing the Landers, they're a tough side to beat."
McKenzie's penalty and an eighth minute try by winger Emoni Narawa gave the Chiefs the early advantage but that lead was erased when prop Sefo Kautai's score was converted by Cameron Millar.
McKenzie's penalty put the Chiefs back in front but it was after the interval that the home side stamped their authority on the game, scoring 33 unanswered points.
Winger Leroy Carter extended the lead before Boshier claimed his first and flanker Samipeni Finau increased the advantage.
Boshier crossed the line again with 22 minutes remaining and replacement hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho completed the rout in the 75th minute to take the Chiefs ahead of the Crusaders on points difference.
The Crusaders had needed a pair of late penalties from replacement James O'Connor to notch up a 25-22 win over the Auckland Blues on Friday.
The former Wallabies flyhalf, who joined the Crusaders ahead of the season from Queensland Reds, levelled the scores in the rain in Christchurch with nine minutes left before slotting over a second penalty in the 81st minute.
"It was a classic," said Crusaders coach Rob Penney. "We had to resort to different tactics. The conditions were really tough but you have to admire the commitment of both sides."
The defending champion Blues held a three-point lead going into the last 10 minutes after a penalty by flyhalf Beauden Barrett but O'Connor twice punished their ill discipline in the scrum to swing the result in the Crusaders' favour.
BRUMBIES CRUISE
ACT Brumbies chalked up a 24-0 win over Moana Pasifika in Auckland on Saturday to move up to third spot, with replacement hooker Billy Pollard scoring a pair of tries.
"The most pleasing part was to keep this side at zero points, a side with attacking flare," said Brumbies captain Allan Alaalatoa. "There was a lot of pride shown out there by our boys and I was really proud of the effort."
New South Wales Waratahs failed to build on last weekend's impressive win over the Chiefs with Dan McKellar's side slipping to a 28-14 loss against the Fijian Drua in Lautoka.
Flanker Motikiai Murray and winger Ponepati Loganimasi scored tries for the hosts before an infringement by Waratahs fullback Joseph Suaalii gifted the Fijians a penalty try that sealed their second win of the season.
A 79th minute penalty from Western Force flyhalf Ben Donaldson earned his side a 17-17 draw with the visiting Wellington Hurricanes in Perth after neither side could score in the additional 10-minute golden point period.
It is the first draw in Super Rugby this season and lifts the Force to fifth in the table. The Hurricanes are seventh.
A try just past the hour-mark from wing Fehi Fineanganofo, his second of the evening, put the Hurricanes into the lead before the home side levelled with a minute to go via Donaldson's penalty from in front of the posts.
Both teams missed drop-goal attempts in the golden point period, with the Hurricanes' Ruben Love brushing the left-hand upright with the final kick of the game.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mail
5 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travis Kelce gushes over Taylor Swift with rare public statement about his superstar girlfriend
A smitten Travis Kelce described girlfriend Taylor Swift as a '20/20' in a rare public comment about the songstress this week. Kelce recently went Instagram official with Swift almost two years into their whirlwind relationship, with the Kansas City Chiefs legend sharing a photo dump of their 'offseason adventures' together. One of the pictures shows the loved-up couple posing in snowy conditions alongside NFL reporters Charissa Thompson and Erin Andrews, as well as their respective partners, while seemingly on a group trip. Thompson and Andrews opened up on their time with Kelce and Swift earlier this week, calling the pop megastar a '20/20' after insisting she was a 'dream' to meet on the latest episode of their 'Calm Down' podcast. And on an Instagram post which shows the pair gushing over Taylor on the podcast, Travis couldn't resist taking to the comments section to agree with their rating of his girlfriend. He wrote: 'she's a 20/20!! Some of the best memories of the offseason. Jimmy's forever!!!' Thompson and Andrews explained how they were big Swift fans before her romance with Kelce, and that they were rooting for her to give the Chiefs star a chance when rumors of a potential romance first emerged in 2023. And after getting the chance to meet her in the offseason, she did not disappoint. Thompson said: 'I will say this: she's everything that I'd ever hoped and dreamed that she could've been and more. 'For those of you who have listened to this podcast for the five years that we have had it, you'll know our great affinity for Taylor, pre-Travis. We advocated for her to give him a chance - that clearly worked out! They are so happy and adorable. 'So when the opportunity came about for all of us to spend time together and go on vacation, we were elated to have time with them. But also, in general, to see what she was all about. 'I'm not going to elaborate too much on it other than saying that she is a dream and I adore her and I'm so happy that they make each other happy.' Andrews chimed in and said: 'We're so protective of them and their privacy and what they deserve, so that's why we never said anything or planned on saying anything. 'That's one of my favorite photos from the trip that we all took together. And I'll echo it! She's a 20 out of 20. She is so much fun. 'We love them, we are happy for them and we are happy to report back that, yes, the long awaited meeting did happen and it exceeded expectations because she is as advertised and a whole lot more'. Kelce and Swift, who have dominated headlines since they went public with their relationship in September 2023, looked smitten in a number of the snaps he posted in his Instagram dump. They are first seen posing together in a warm setting, with other pictures showing them out for dinner, clowning around in the snow and skating on an ice rink. The pair enjoyed a more low-key offseason together than last year, only making a handful of public appearances since the Chiefs' Super Bowl defeat to the Philadelphia Eagles in February. The most noteworthy of the lot came when Taylor made a surprise cameo at her man's 'Tight End University' event in Nashville last month, where she took to the stage and performed her famous 'Shake It Off' song.
Daily Mail
9 hours ago
- Daily Mail
Travis Kelce stuns NFL fans with telling transformation that hints retirement could be closer than ever
NFL fans have been left stunned by Travis Kelce 's brand new look which he debuted at the Chiefs training camp this week. In recent months, there had been plenty of discussion as to whether the tight end would be hanging up his cleats following the loss in the Super Bowl back in February. However, to the joy of Chiefs fans, it was later confirmed that the 35-year-old would return for a 13th season in the NFL. After an offseason spent galivanting with girlfriend Taylor Swift, Kelce has now joined up with his teammates for the Chiefs training camp, ahead of the new season. To the surprise of many, however, Kelce has rocked up to camp without his traditional long locks and, instead, has been sporting a fade. However, some fans were quick to note the 'gray hairs' on Kelce and, once again, sparked suggestions that the tight end could soon call time on his career. Kelce has ditched his long locks for a fade as he steps up preparations for the new season Taking to X, one fan wrote: 'Travis gray hair kelce [laughing emoji] he really is getting old'. Another said: 'The long hair was doing heavy lifting to hide them greys, he's reached unc status'. However, there were a few fans who jumped to the defense of the Chiefs tight end. 'Yall just be saying anything, it's very clear that his scalp it just very light and the rest of his skin is very tan, that's what happens when you just get a fade,' one user said. Another wrote: 'Tell me that all of your friends are under 25 without telling me.' Recently, one anonymous NFL scout delivered a brutal verdict on whether Kelce will be able to get back to his best during the 2025 season. In a report by ESPN, Kelce was ranked as the fifth-best tight end in the NFL, as they prepare to head into the new season. The scout claimed that Kelce has shown 'signs of physical decline' but did admit that 'you still have to worry about him' because he's 'such a smart player'. However, they ended by claiming that Kelce 'doesn't get open like he used to' and pointed to signs that the Chiefs star 'played heavier last year'. Social media users pointed out that Kelce's new look exposed some gray hairs However, some fans hit back and played down the suggestions that Kelce looked 'old' Trey McBride, Sam LaPorta, George Kittle and Brock Bowers were all listed ahead of the Chiefs star in the tight end rankings. The tight end teased the possibility of ending his career following the loss in the Super Bowl and admitted the grind of NFL life had driven him 'crazy' last season. To the joy of Chiefs fans, it was later confirmed that the 35-year-old would return for a 13th season however he did reveal that he would consider the 2026 season later 'down the road'. Kelce signed a two-year, $34.25million contract - with $17m guaranteed - back in April 2024.
Belfast Telegraph
20 hours ago
- Belfast Telegraph
‘His work ethic is phenomenal': Linfield boss David Healy hails his new star man after Euro joy
Kieran Offord celebrates scoring his stunning goal for Linfield The 21-year-old, who joined the Blues from Scottish side St Mirren in January following a successful five-month loan spell with Crusaders, lit up Windsor Park on Thursday with a stunning goal against FK Zalgiris, helping his team book a slot in the third qualifying round of the UEFA Conference League. Star man Joel Cooper may have left Linfield in the summer to take up a new challenge with big-spending Coleraine, but Offord has the potential to become the new darling of the Blues' faithful. It wasn't only his goal that had the fans drooling on Thursday, but his overall performance – on and off the ball – he tied the Lithuanian side in knots at times. Matthew Fitzpatrick got the Blues off to the best possible start by heading them in front after only six minutes before Offord unloaded a stunner from 25 yards, which arrowed into the bottom corner. Read more It could have been much more comfortable for Healy's boys because the usually reliable Chris Shields fluffed his lines from the penalty spot in the first half. 'Kieran produced a bit of individual brilliance when we needed it with our second goal,' stated former Northern Ireland international striker Healy. 'At the time, I thought he was going to try and slide Fitzy (Fitzpatrick) in, but he showed great belief in his own ability to score a brilliant goal. 'He is a pleasure to work with; Kieran is a wonderful young man with so much natural ability. Once he learns to develop the rest of his game; the other parts of his game that needs tidied up, he'll become a top player. 'His work ethic is phenomenal… we all witnessed that against Zalgiris. His desire and his hunger to improve is there. I firmly believe once everything clicks for him, we'll have a heck of a player on our hands.' Kieran Offord impressed for Linfield against Zalgiris Healy admits he's always been an admirer of the Scottish Under-19 international. He added: 'I watched Kieran playing for Crusaders when he just joined them. He was up against the Welsh team (Caernarfon Town), in a European game. 'He was a little bit raw… he probably had a few question marks, but I turned to Willie McKeown (Linfield head of recruitment), after about an hour and said to him, that boy is going to have a chance. 'He started the season well for the Crues and scored a lot of goals. I knew about his ability, but what impresses me is his desire to improve.' Healy insisted it was a shrewd business move by the club when Offord and Callumn Morrison arrived at Windsor Park in the January transfer window. Read more 'It's probably the first time we've done that,' he went on. 'There were probably a few raised eyebrows, inside and outside the football club, when we conducted our transfer business in January. 'At that time, we had built up a 15 or 16-point lead at the top of the League table. It looked to everyone else like it was just a matter of time before we won the title, although it wasn't as obvious to me. 'The important thing about getting Kieran and Callumn to the club at that time was to give them three or four months, basically as a pre-season. They played some games, they missed some games and, at times, they basically had a watching brief. 'It was important for them to get a feel for me; to get a feel for the rest of the players instead of coming in over the summer and having two-and-a-half or three weeks before the European games. 'I wanted the new lads to be acquainted with the group of players. Yes, we lost in the Champions League (to Shelbourne), but the boys (the squad) are getting fitter – I think that was evident against Zalgiris. Linfield manager David Healy applauds the Blues fans after victory at Windsor Park 'The win was fully deserved. There were moments in the game, if we had been a little bit tidier, it could have been a bit more convincing.' Linfield will now face Faroese side Vikingur Gota in the third qualifying round – the first leg will be in Iceland next Thursday. 'We feel we have an opportunity, although it's going to be a tough game,' added Healy. 'It's certainly not an impossible task… it's probably a 50-50 game. 'We have been to the Faroes before… it was HB Torshavn a few years back. It doesn't give us much time, but I don't mind that. 'We have a team that gets to work right away. We came off the back of the Shelbourne game, but within 24 hours we were doing our homework on Zalgiris. 'I enjoy that, so does the staff. From a coaching aspect, it's good development, good learning. People like Ross (Oliver), George (McCartney), and Lindsay Corry, we all get our heads together to set out what we want to do. It's always key in terms of how we set up. 'We are not going to get to see Vikingur before we play them next week, so we must rely on footage. I know they lost their first game in the Champions League, so we'll assess that, move forward and try and progress.'
