Unbeaten Chiefs does it again, Rebels blows half-time lead

WRAP: The Chiefs have kept their unbeaten Super Rugby record intact with a comprehensive 50-17 win over Fijia Drua in Hamilton.

The Hamilton-based Chiefs have showcased their handling skills in teeming rain to beat the Fijian Drua and stretch their winning start in Super Rugby Pacific to eight games.

The Chiefs scored their first try after only three minutes and added another four to lead 31-12 by halftime.

Seven tries were scored in a fast-paced first half despite the constant rain and a slippery field.

The rain abated in the second half and the flow of tries also slowed.

The Drua began the half with a length-of-the-field try to cut the Chiefs’ lead to 31-17. Almost 25 minutes elapsed before the Chiefs were able to add to their tally of tries and re-establish a bonus point advantage.

In the interim, they had been forced by the Drua defence to kick for goal – unsuccessfully.

*The Melbourne Rebels have again let a Super Rugby Pacific halftime lead slip to fall to the defending champion Crusaders 43-27 in a brutal clash.

In their last outing at AAMI Park, the Rebels led the Blues at the break before the visitors blew them away in the second half.

While Friday night’s match was a tighter affair, Melbourne’s 12-point halftime lead evaporated with the Crusaders running in four second-half tries.

It was a disappointing end to a memorable week for the club, who were looking to celebrate new deals for head coach Kevin Foote and his two assistants.

It was also a huge blow for the hosts, who entered the match in 10th spot and in dire need of wins.

The Crusaders have battled a huge injury toll but were still fourth heading into the contest with star playmaker Richie Mo’unga turning out for his 100th Super cap.

The lead changed hands three times in the second half but the Crusaders managed the game better despite some ferocious Melbourne defence.

The visitors had all the ball early but the Rebels showed desperation to keep them out until the 11th minute, when Braydon Ennor sent a long pass out to winger Macca Springer.

The scores and scorers

For the Chiefs:
Tries: Ratima, Stevenson, Boshier, McKenzie, Taukei’aho, Retallick, Vaai, Nanai-Seturo
Cons: McKenzie (5)

For Fijian Drua:
Tries: Canakaivata, Naitokani, Droasese
Con: Tela

Yellow cards: Samisoni Taukei’aho (Chiefs, 37′), Apisalome Vota (Drua, 22′), Haereiti Hetet (Drua, 53′)

Chiefs: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Shaun Stevenson, 13 Daniel Rona, 12 Rameka Poihipi, 11 Etene Nanai-Seturo, 10 Bryn Gatland, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Kaylum Boshier, 6 Samipeni Finau, 5 Manaaki Selby-Rickit, 4 Brodie Retallick (c), 3 John Ryan, 2 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 1 Ollie Norris
Replacements: 16 Tyrone Thompson, 17 Jared Proffit, 18 Solomone Tukuafu, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Tupou Vaa’i, 21 Simon Parker, 22 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 23 Gideon Wrampling

Fijian Drua: 15 Selestino Ravutaumada, 14 Ilaisa Droasese, 13 Apisalome Vota, 12 Michael Naitokani, 11 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 10 Teti Tela, 9 Penia Matawalu, 8 Te Ahiwaru Cirikidaveta, 7 Elia Canakaivata, 6 Joseva Tamani, 5 Leone Rotuisolia, 4 Isoa Nasilasila, 3 Samuela Tawake, 2 Tevita Ikanivere (c), 1 Haereiti Hetet
Replacements: 16 Mesulame Dolokoto, 17 Livai Natave, 18 Jone Tiko, 19 Chris Minimbi, 20 Rusiate Nasove, 21 Philip Baselala, 22 Kalione Nasoko, 23 Kitione Taliga

Referee: Brendon Pickerill

Rebels 27 43 Crusaders 

For the Rebels:
Tries: Wilkin, Ekuasi, Louwrens
Cons: Hodge 3
Pens: Hodge 2

For the Crusaders:
Tries: Springer, Havili 2, Grace, McAlister, McLeod
Con: Mo’unga 5
Pens: Mo’unga

Rebels: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Lachlan Anderson, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Stacey Ili, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Carter Gordon, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 8 Vaiolini Ekuasi, 7 Brad Wilkin (c), 6 Josh Kemeny, 5 Trevor Hosea, 4 Josh Canham, 3 Sam Talakai, 2 Alex Mafi, 1 Matt Gibbon
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Cameron Orr, 18 Pone Fa’amausili, 19 Angelo Smith, 20 Daniel Maiava, 21 James Tuttle, 22 Lukas Ripley, 23 vJoe Pincus

Crusaders: 15 Fergus Burke, 14 Pepesana Patafilo, 13 Braydon Ennor, 12 David Havili, 11 Macca Springer, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Mitchell Drummond, 8 Christian Lio-Willie, 7 Tom Christie, 6 Dom Gardiner, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Brodie McAlister, 17 Finlay Brewis, 18 Seb Calder, 19 Quinten Strange, 20 Cullen Grace, 21 Willi Heinz, 22 Jack Goodhue, 23 Dallas McLeod

Referee: Ben O’Keeffe