The Chiefs are into the Super Rugby playoffs and can now go all out for a home qualifier in the final week of the regular season after a 24-3 win over the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on Saturday night.
A fantastic defensive effort that kept the Reds try-less and a dominance of the collision area and breakdowns enabled them to get their first win over the Reds since 2009.
It was also a major comeback from the Chiefs major setback loss against the Highlanders in Invercargill a week earlier.
In front of a Suncorp Stadium crowd of 13,000, the Chiefs had to absorb enormous early pressure as a Reds team, buoyed by the emotion of the pre-match fuss made of Will Genia and James Horwill's final home appearances, totally dominated possession and territory for the first 18 minutes.
But the home team's only reward was a solitary Quade Cooper penalty goal with the under-siege Chiefs defending outstandingly.
It took until that 18th minute for the Chiefs to finally get their hands on the ball, get into Reds territory and get their first penalty, but once they did the second quarter belonged almost entirely to the visitors.
Right wing Bryce Heem scored the opening try in the 25th minute following a lineout drive and then a switch back to a gaping blindside, all-action halfback Augustine Pulu breaking and throwing a pin-point overhead pass to Heem.
Second-five Andrew Horrell nailed the wide-angled conversion and seven minutes later did the same when skipper Liam Messam scored his try in the left corner, running an acute out-to-in angle into a giant hole off a short pass after Horrell had run the ball close.
That made it 14-3 and suddenly the Chiefs were in control, but they were still struggling in the set-pieces and two minutes from halftime had No 8 Michael Leitch yellow carded for what referee Mike Fraser appeared to perceive as the team's persistent infringing.
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The Chiefs again had to man the defences early in the second half, but it was Horrell who scored the first points of the half with a 45-metre penalty goal that took the guests out to 17-3 and with Leitch returning to the field they were back to a full complement.
And from there the Chiefs certainly kicked on, dominating attack against a rather unimaginative Reds side that relied mostly on penalties and set-pieces.
The third try to give the Chiefs hope of a bonus point came from centre Charlie Ngatai in the 29th minute when lock Brodie Retallick stole a Reds lineout throw.
The ball was moved wide by the backs, replacement second-five Anton Lienert-Brown popping an overhead pass to Ngatai who came back on the angle to score untouched, Andrew Horrell kicking his third conversion to make it 24-3.
The Chiefs looked to have grabbed a bonus point after the final hooter when Ngatai raced away to touch down between the posts from a long-range counter-attack but the TMO was consulted and an early knock-on found.
This was certainly a team effort on defence but the likes of Messam and openside flanker Sam Cane led the way with huge work rates and Horrell looked after Reds dangerman Samu Kerevi with some strong tackling.
It was also a patient display from a Chiefs team that again made a slow start to a match but hung in there with great defence and cool heads, Pulu's running game often getting them over the gain line and Marty McKenzie directing play well at first-five.
The victory took the Chiefs to 48 points, the
same as the fourth-placed Highlanders, and the Chiefs now need to topple
the runaway competition leading Hurricanes next weekend in New Plymouth to
force their way into home advantage for the qualifier.
Chiefs 24 (Bryce Heem, Liam Messam, Charlie Ngatai
tries; Andrew Horrell 3 conversions, penalty goal)Queensland Reds 3 (Quade
Cooper penalty goal). HT: 14-3
- Waikato Times
