Chiefs hold off Hurricanes
The Chiefs wrapped up their pre-season preparations with a 25-21 win over the Hurricanes in Mangatainoka on Saturday.
The Chiefs dominated for the majority of the first half taking a 10-0 lead into the break thanks to tries to scrumhalf Tawera Kerr-Barlow from a quick tap and wing Asaeli Tikoirotuma, who crossed the chalk after a pass from Hika Elliot.
After the half-time whistle, Bundee Aki dotted down to give the Chiefs a 17-0 lead which Hurricane winger Julian Savea replied to.
Playing at centre for the Chiefs, Tim Nanai-Williams scored to give the visitors a fifteen point lead.
The Hurricanes lifted their game after some substitutions, with Ardie Savea adding the spark. Savea and Faifili Levave both scored making it 22-21.
A late penalty to Gareth Anscombe sealed the match for the defending Super Rugby Champions who kick off their Super Rugby campaign on Friday against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said: "We are happy with the hit out, we knew it would be a tough game, the Hurricanes have been racking up alot of points – they are stronger on paper than last year.
"Our boys who jumped in at foreign positions like Tim and Gareth did well. It was pretty combative at the breakdown which meant a few penalties and we’ve have got a few things to work on.
"Now with a short turn around we will be focusing on review and recover," he said.
The scorers:
For the Chiefs:
Tries: Kerr-Barlow, Tikoirituma, Aki, Nanai-Williams
Con: Anscombe
Pen: Anscombe
For the Hurricanes:
Tries: Julian Savea, Ardie Savea, Levave
Cons: Barrett, Marshall 2
Chiefs: 15 Gareth Anscombe, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Tim Nanai-Williams, 12 Bundee Aki, 11 Asaeli Tikoirotuma, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Fritz Lee, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Nick Crosswell, 5 Mike Fitzgerald, 4 Craig Clarke (captain), 3 Ben Afeaki, 2 Hika Elliot, 1 Pauliasi Manu.
Replacements – from: Mahonri Schwalger, Toby Smith, Romana Graham, Sam Cane, Augustine Pulu, Maritino Nemani, Ross Filipo, Rhys Marshall, Brodie Retallick, Liam Messam, Patrick Osborne, Ben Tameifuna.
Hurricanes: 15 Andre Taylor, 14 Matt Proctor, 13 Conrad Smith (captain), 12 Reynold LeeLo, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Brad Shields, 7 Karl Lowe, 6 Victor Vito, 5 Jason Eaton, 4 Jeremy Thrush, 3 Jeffery Toomaga-Allen, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Ben Franks.
Replacements – from: Ash Dixon, Ben May, Reggie Goodes, James Broadhurst, Mark Reddish, Blade Thomson, Ardie Savea, Faifili Levave, Mike Coman, Chris Smylie, James Marshall, Tim Bateman, Ope Peleseuma, Richard Buckman.
Referee: Glen Jackson
