Chiefs set up semifinal date with Crusaders
MATCH REPORT: The Chiefs have ended the NSW Waratahs’ gallant revival season with a 39-15 victory in the second Super Rugby Pacific quarter-final in Hamilton.
A rare finals triumph in New Zealand proved a bridge too far the Waratahs, who followed up a depressing winless campaign in 2021 with an exciting resurgence under first-year coach Darren Coleman.
But the Chiefs were too clinical on Saturday, punishing the Waratahs for every error as Coleman’s men often lacked a ruthless edge with their own attacking opportunities.
The Chiefs crossed after just five minutes when halfback Brad Weber looped around from a lineout win and stormed through a gaping hole in the NSW defence to score under the posts.
The Tahs hit straight back with a stylish effort to Dylan Pietsch after the winger recovered a clever kick from fullback Ben Donaldson.
Two penalty goals to flyhalf Bryn Gatland and further tries to flanker Luke Jacobson and centre Alex Nankivell, who pounced on a Waratahs knock-on in their own quarter, earned the Chiefs a 27-10 halftime advantage.
Will Harris gave the Waratahs a glimmer of hope with a five-pointer shortly after the break.
But the hosts sealed victory with Weber’s second strike then a powerful short-range effort from Pita Gus Sowakula to set up a likely semi-final against the Crusaders in Christchurch.
The Crusaders ended the Queensland Reds’ campaign with a 37-15 win in the first quarter-final on Friday .
The scorers:
For Chiefs:
Tries: Gus, Weber 2, Nankivell, Jacobson
Cons: Gatland 4
Pens: Gatland 2
For Waratahs:
Tries: Harris, Pietsch
Con: Edmed
Pen: Edmed
Teams:
Chiefs: 15 Emoni Narawa, 14 Jonah Lowe, 13 Alex Nankivell, 12 Quinn Tupaea, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Brad Weber (captain), 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Bradley Slater, 17 Ollie Norris, 18 Atu Moli, 19 Naitoa Ah Khoi, 20 Mitch Brown, 21 Xavier Roe, 22 Josh Ioane, 23 Rameka Poihipi.
Waratahs: 15 Ben Donaldson, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 13 Alex Newsome, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Dylan Pietsch, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon (captain), 8 Will Harris, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Charlie Gamble, 5 Ned Hanigan, 4 Jed Holloway, 3 Harry Johnson-Holmes, 2 Dave Porecki, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Tom Horton, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Archer Holz, 19 Hugh Sinclair, 20 Jeremy Williams, 21 Langi Gleeson, 22 Jack Grant, 23 Jamie Roberts.
Referee: Nic Berry
Assistant referees: Jordan Way, Dan Waenga
TMO: Chris Hart
