Chiefs move top of the table, Waratahs keep season alive

Reuters

24-05-2025

May 24 (Reuters) - Waikato Chiefs handed Moana Pasifika a crushing 85-7 defeat on Saturday as Clayton McMillan's well-rested outfit roared back from a bye week to move clear at the top of the Super Rugby Pacific standings with a dominant bonus-point victory.
Leroy Carter and Ratima Cortez both scored hat-tricks in a display that takes the Chiefs one point ahead of the Canterbury Crusaders, who saw Sevu Reece set a Super Rugby try-scoring record in his side's 15-12 win over the Otago Highlanders.
"We really showed a ruthless edge there," said Chiefs captain Luke Jacobson after a statement win in Hamilton.
"I was really pleased with the boys, being able to stick at their roles and sticking the small little things and building those up. That added up to a few good tries."
Fullback Shaun Stevenson put his side in front in the eighth minute and the relentless Chiefs showed no mercy as lock Tupou Vaa'i, winger Ratima, centre Quinn Tupaea and fullback Damien McKenzie all scored before halftime.
Carter claimed his first, and the Chiefs' sixth, four minutes into the second half and the winger crossed twice more after hooker Samisoni Taukei'aho scored in the 50th minute with Ratima also completing his hat-trick in the second half.
The Crusaders squeezed past the Highlanders in Christchurch on Friday to move above the ACT Brumbies, who are on a bye week, with Reece notching up his 66th Super Rugby try.
Flyhalf Rivez Reihana's penalty gave the Crusaders an early lead before Reece broke TJ Perenara's record with a close-range score, the All Blacks winger picking up possession inches from the line to touch down.
"I would've loved to have scored a nice dive-in-the-corner try or something nicer than that," Reece said. "That was more a forward's try.
"But a try's a try and I'll take it any time of the day."
Tries from winger Jonah Lowe and flyhalf Taine Robinson gave the Highlanders a 12-10 lead but prop Tamaiti Williams crossed for the Crusaders with nine minutes remaining to put Rob Penney's side three points ahead.
The Highlanders were awarded a penalty after regulation time had elapsed but replacement flyhalf Miller pushed his game-tying kick wide of the posts.
Wellington Hurricanes survived a second-half fightback by the Queensland Reds to notch up a 31-27 win in Brisbane to move up to fourth with one round of the regular season remaining.
Flying winger Fehi Fineanganofo touched down for his second try of the game in the 65th minute as he twisted midair to seal a win that guarantees the Hurricanes a place in the playoffs.
"We'll take it," said Hurricanes lock Du'Plessis Kirifi. "Not pretty, we just found a way. But right now coming over here to Brisbane, almost a fortress for these Reds boys, to come away with a win is a pleasure."
Wing Darby Lancaster scored a try in the corner with an acrobatic finish in the final play of the Super Point period as New South Wales Waratahs kept alive their season with a 22-17 win over Western Force in Perth.
Flanker Carlo Tizzano scored his 13th try of the season for the Force, breaking the record for most tries by a forward in a Super Rugby campaign.
With the scores locked at 17-17, Kurtley Beale missed a 55-metre penalty for the Force after the hooter as the ball drifted wide and Alex Harford saw his 45-metre effort fall short in the Super Point period.
But Lancaster's heroics at the death took the Waratahs to 26 points on the table, two behind Moana Pasifica in the final play-off position.
"They were very physical on a wet night here in Perth. It was a tough game, I am just so stoked to get the win," Lancaster said.