Chiefs brush off bizarre blunder to put away Force
The Chiefs have brushed aside an embarrassing defensive lapse to shrug off the Western Force and ensure they maintain the Super Rugby Pacific pace.
Their 56-22 bonus point Anzac Day win, in their first visit to Tauranga's Blake Park in 12 years, shot the ladder-leaders (8-2) clear with five rounds to play before the finals.
Stung by the late loss of skipper Jeremy Williams, the Force (4-1-5) came armed with a few tricks but their injury-hit squad couldn't maintain the pace.
"We had good moments there but the 50-50s and spark from the chiefs, they're very dangerous when they get some loose ball and it's hard to defend," stand-in Force captain Sam Carter said.
"We wanted to come over here and hunt together ... and we saw some brilliance.
"But you've got to put it together for 80 minutes."
The Chiefs led 25-15 after 40 frenetic minutes, overcoming an embarrassing early gaffe to go ahead thanks to a head-scratching moment of their own.
The Force led 12-10 when flyhalf Ben Donaldson's quick restart from a Chiefs try caught the hosts napping.
Winger Harry Potter flew past a host of snoozing Chiefs, who were still walking back to their marks, to score a bizarre heads-up try.
A yellow card for Force centre Sio Tomkinson, who clipped Shaun Stevenson high with his shoulder, slowed the visitors though.
Prop Samisoni Taukei'aho stormed over for a try in his 100th game to put the Chiefs back in front before the sides traded penalties.
The madcap half was complete when Chiefs No.7 Kaylum Boshie was awarded a try, but only after it had been disallowed and the Force went 100 metres the other way to almost score themselves.
Play was eventually halted to confirm and explain the initial result, but further replays prompted a closer look.
Referee James Doleman then reversed his decision, returning to the other end of the field to award the try.
Ollie Norris barged over three minutes into the second half to create a 17-point buffer that quickly swelled when halfback Cortez Ratima's support of Boshie earnt him a try.
Potter scored again to keep the Force in it, grubbering ahead and calmly finishing in traffic.
Stevenson put the foot down though in a scintillating first-phase strike from a scrum, with Ratima there again to finish the good work.
Luke Jacobson's try then put the result beyond doubt with 12 minutes to play before Daniel Rona's effort helped them raise the bat for their half-century.
All Blacks centre Anton Lienert-Brown failed to finish and had his arm in a sling-post in a potentially key blow for the title contenders.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Age
2 hours ago
- The Age
The Brumbies could have won the Super Rugby title. A loss in February scuttled it
Every time an Australian team has won a Super Rugby title, they finished minor premiers. And to get enough points to do that, you must start by banking maximum points in home games, and then pick up a handful of wins on the road too, particularly in derbies. The second part is hard, so the first part is non-negotiable. In 2014, NSW won all their home games and in 2011, the Reds only dropped one. Likewise the Brumbies in 2004 and 2001. This year, however, the Brumbies lost three of eight games at home, with a win rate of 62.5 per cent. It was their lowest win rate since 2018 (50 per cent). Along with the Force, they dropped home games to the Canes and the Crusaders. Those losses negated good points earned on the road against the Blues, Reds, Moana and the Drua, and the Brumbies ended up finishing third; two wins behind the Chiefs in first, and five points behind the Crusaders in second. Instead of finishing top two and playing a home semi-final, the Brumbies had to get on a plane (and yes, Super Rugby Pacific's contentious rules had a say in that too). But had they finished second and kept winning, the Brumbies would be this weekend hosting the final instead of the Crusaders, courtesy of the Blues beating the top-seed Chiefs in the qualifying finals. It turned out this could have been the year the Brumbies took the final step. They had the talent. But they were a home win, and change, short on the ladder. Over the years, the seasons of fallen contenders have tended to swing on one or two kick-yourself results. The Brumbies' loss to the Force will go down in that bracket. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham conceded post-game the Chiefs were the stronger side in Hamilton, and he and his staff will review the semi-final loss to work on weak points, and be better equipped to handle those tough final steps next year. It was the same approach used last summer, and into this season. The question whether the Brumbies can be there again next year is debatable, given they'll be without Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and possibly Rob Valetini. But presuming the premiership window does stay open, their best – and maybe only – path to success is to flat-out avoid playing in the same game. The Brumbies have lost four straight semi-finals in New Zealand. No Australian side has ever won in 21 play-off games in New Zealand. It's an unusual stat, but it's not as shameful as it sounds. Winning a play-off in New Zealand is bloody hard to do. Five of those play-off losses came in Australia's golden era, when great teams and legendary names couldn't even get it done. No South African side ever won a Super Rugby play-off in New Zealand either, from 15 attempts. Even all-powerhouse Kiwi teams have only won 10 from 32 play-offs offshore. Loading Winning a competition is not figuring out how to defy huge odds and win a semi-final in the wet of Waikato. It's how to play that semi-final in the cold of Canberra, instead. The key to that is to never have an off night at home, or as few as humanly possible. Easier said than done, sure. But no less true. You can't win a competition when fans are still in T-shirts. But as history keeps showing us, you can go a long way to losing one.
Sydney Morning Herald
2 hours ago
- Sydney Morning Herald
The Brumbies could have won the Super Rugby title. A loss in February scuttled it
Every time an Australian team has won a Super Rugby title, they finished minor premiers. And to get enough points to do that, you must start by banking maximum points in home games, and then pick up a handful of wins on the road too, particularly in derbies. The second part is hard, so the first part is non-negotiable. In 2014, NSW won all their home games and in 2011, the Reds only dropped one. Likewise the Brumbies in 2004 and 2001. This year, however, the Brumbies lost three of eight games at home, with a win rate of 62.5 per cent. It was their lowest win rate since 2018 (50 per cent). Along with the Force, they dropped home games to the Canes and the Crusaders. Those losses negated good points earned on the road against the Blues, Reds, Moana and the Drua, and the Brumbies ended up finishing third; two wins behind the Chiefs in first, and five points behind the Crusaders in second. Instead of finishing top two and playing a home semi-final, the Brumbies had to get on a plane (and yes, Super Rugby Pacific's contentious rules had a say in that too). But had they finished second and kept winning, the Brumbies would be this weekend hosting the final instead of the Crusaders, courtesy of the Blues beating the top-seed Chiefs in the qualifying finals. It turned out this could have been the year the Brumbies took the final step. They had the talent. But they were a home win, and change, short on the ladder. Over the years, the seasons of fallen contenders have tended to swing on one or two kick-yourself results. The Brumbies' loss to the Force will go down in that bracket. Brumbies coach Stephen Larkham conceded post-game the Chiefs were the stronger side in Hamilton, and he and his staff will review the semi-final loss to work on weak points, and be better equipped to handle those tough final steps next year. It was the same approach used last summer, and into this season. The question whether the Brumbies can be there again next year is debatable, given they'll be without Noah Lolesio, Len Ikitau, Tom Hooper and possibly Rob Valetini. But presuming the premiership window does stay open, their best – and maybe only – path to success is to flat-out avoid playing in the same game. The Brumbies have lost four straight semi-finals in New Zealand. No Australian side has ever won in 21 play-off games in New Zealand. It's an unusual stat, but it's not as shameful as it sounds. Winning a play-off in New Zealand is bloody hard to do. Five of those play-off losses came in Australia's golden era, when great teams and legendary names couldn't even get it done. No South African side ever won a Super Rugby play-off in New Zealand either, from 15 attempts. Even all-powerhouse Kiwi teams have only won 10 from 32 play-offs offshore. Loading Winning a competition is not figuring out how to defy huge odds and win a semi-final in the wet of Waikato. It's how to play that semi-final in the cold of Canberra, instead. The key to that is to never have an off night at home, or as few as humanly possible. Easier said than done, sure. But no less true. You can't win a competition when fans are still in T-shirts. But as history keeps showing us, you can go a long way to losing one.
The Advertiser
3 hours ago
- The Advertiser
Lightning jolts Souths to life but Bulldogs hang on
Lightning has proved Canterbury's biggest enemy in a 24-18 defeat of South Sydney, who only jolted into action after inclement weather brought the game to a halt. Toby Sexton staked his claim to hold Lachlan Galvin from the Bulldogs' halfback spot as he inspired a 18-0 lead without Matt Burton on Sunday at Accor Stadium. Top-four side Canterbury looked ready to stroll to a big win, until the game came to a standstill just after 4.40pm (AEST) with lightning crashing nearby. It marked the first time since an Anzac Day hailstorm in 2015 that an NRL game was suspended by inclement weather. Gameday staff and media professionals ducked for cover in the tunnel as security ordered fans in the lower seating to seek shelter. Play resumed 28 minutes after the halt in play, following consultation between referee Adam Gee and venue staff. The stoppage proved a fresh start for the Rabbitohs, whose veteran winger Alex Johnston grabbed his 202nd career try from the side's first red-zone entry just before halftime. Souths continued to hammer the left edge and came within eight points as Jack Wighton dived over while Canterbury's Jake Turpin was in the sin bin for a high shot on Tyrone Munro. The Rabbitohs were daring to dream when a kick from Isaiah Tass off a scrum helped Tyrone Munro over on the right side and made it a one-score game. But with Souths' last roll of the dice, halfback Jamie Humphreys spilt the ball in a big shot from the returning Jacob Preston and the Bulldogs held on. Earlier, Sexton showed he would not be giving up his No.7 jersey without a fight as superstar recruit Galvin started his first game for Canterbury. Sexton's most impressive act was a silky one-two with Jacob Kiraz for the first try, fooling Jamie Humphreys by feigning a kick and slicing open Souths' left side. He swung left to help Marcelo Montoya score the first of his two tries and came close to putting Viliame Kikau in twice late on in the first half. Souths back-up playmaker Jayden Sullivan limped off with an apparent injury late in the second half. His absence for next week's clash against Melbourne would test the side's depth even further with Cody Walker still expected to be missing through a groin issue. Lightning has proved Canterbury's biggest enemy in a 24-18 defeat of South Sydney, who only jolted into action after inclement weather brought the game to a halt. Toby Sexton staked his claim to hold Lachlan Galvin from the Bulldogs' halfback spot as he inspired a 18-0 lead without Matt Burton on Sunday at Accor Stadium. Top-four side Canterbury looked ready to stroll to a big win, until the game came to a standstill just after 4.40pm (AEST) with lightning crashing nearby. It marked the first time since an Anzac Day hailstorm in 2015 that an NRL game was suspended by inclement weather. Gameday staff and media professionals ducked for cover in the tunnel as security ordered fans in the lower seating to seek shelter. Play resumed 28 minutes after the halt in play, following consultation between referee Adam Gee and venue staff. The stoppage proved a fresh start for the Rabbitohs, whose veteran winger Alex Johnston grabbed his 202nd career try from the side's first red-zone entry just before halftime. Souths continued to hammer the left edge and came within eight points as Jack Wighton dived over while Canterbury's Jake Turpin was in the sin bin for a high shot on Tyrone Munro. The Rabbitohs were daring to dream when a kick from Isaiah Tass off a scrum helped Tyrone Munro over on the right side and made it a one-score game. But with Souths' last roll of the dice, halfback Jamie Humphreys spilt the ball in a big shot from the returning Jacob Preston and the Bulldogs held on. Earlier, Sexton showed he would not be giving up his No.7 jersey without a fight as superstar recruit Galvin started his first game for Canterbury. Sexton's most impressive act was a silky one-two with Jacob Kiraz for the first try, fooling Jamie Humphreys by feigning a kick and slicing open Souths' left side. He swung left to help Marcelo Montoya score the first of his two tries and came close to putting Viliame Kikau in twice late on in the first half. Souths back-up playmaker Jayden Sullivan limped off with an apparent injury late in the second half. His absence for next week's clash against Melbourne would test the side's depth even further with Cody Walker still expected to be missing through a groin issue. Lightning has proved Canterbury's biggest enemy in a 24-18 defeat of South Sydney, who only jolted into action after inclement weather brought the game to a halt. Toby Sexton staked his claim to hold Lachlan Galvin from the Bulldogs' halfback spot as he inspired a 18-0 lead without Matt Burton on Sunday at Accor Stadium. Top-four side Canterbury looked ready to stroll to a big win, until the game came to a standstill just after 4.40pm (AEST) with lightning crashing nearby. It marked the first time since an Anzac Day hailstorm in 2015 that an NRL game was suspended by inclement weather. Gameday staff and media professionals ducked for cover in the tunnel as security ordered fans in the lower seating to seek shelter. Play resumed 28 minutes after the halt in play, following consultation between referee Adam Gee and venue staff. The stoppage proved a fresh start for the Rabbitohs, whose veteran winger Alex Johnston grabbed his 202nd career try from the side's first red-zone entry just before halftime. Souths continued to hammer the left edge and came within eight points as Jack Wighton dived over while Canterbury's Jake Turpin was in the sin bin for a high shot on Tyrone Munro. The Rabbitohs were daring to dream when a kick from Isaiah Tass off a scrum helped Tyrone Munro over on the right side and made it a one-score game. But with Souths' last roll of the dice, halfback Jamie Humphreys spilt the ball in a big shot from the returning Jacob Preston and the Bulldogs held on. Earlier, Sexton showed he would not be giving up his No.7 jersey without a fight as superstar recruit Galvin started his first game for Canterbury. Sexton's most impressive act was a silky one-two with Jacob Kiraz for the first try, fooling Jamie Humphreys by feigning a kick and slicing open Souths' left side. He swung left to help Marcelo Montoya score the first of his two tries and came close to putting Viliame Kikau in twice late on in the first half. Souths back-up playmaker Jayden Sullivan limped off with an apparent injury late in the second half. His absence for next week's clash against Melbourne would test the side's depth even further with Cody Walker still expected to be missing through a groin issue.
