Chiefs deliver second-half stunner to defeat Crusaders 49-24

Fiji-born Emoni Narawa scored a try to assist the Chiefs beat the Crusaders 49-24 last night in round 2 of the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific.

Quinn Tupaea finished with a double as the hosts blew away the Crusaders in a match that was evenly balanced for 50-minutes.

The Chiefs started the scoring through Narawa’s quick tap in the fourth minute, with Damian McKenzie’s penalty giving them an early 10-0 lead.

However, their momentum was halted as they dealt with early injuries.

Captain Luke Jacobson came off the field with a broken nose, quickly followed over by center Rameka Poihipi after he fell awkwardly in a tackle.

The Crusaders capitalized on the chaos and it was magic man Kyle Preston with the answer.

Preston, in his debut start, made it four tries in two games when Cullen Grace went through the gap and found the scrum half.

Ethan Blackadder followed this up after a smart quick tap from Sevu Reece and when James O’Connor came on and slotted a penalty, the scores were even.

This is where the Chiefs turned the game as coach Clayton McMillan unleashed his bench with great success.

Winger Leroy Carter started a run of five straight tries after burning the visitors on the edge.

Samipeni Finau followed him over before Josh Jacomb finished off a great Damian McKenzie break.

Tupaea was in the mood to celebrate his 50th game for the club and got the opportunity to mark his milestone with two tries in three minutes.

Meanwhile, the Crusaders is on a bye this week, hoping their injury list eases as they prepare for the Queensland Reds on the 10th of March.

In another match, the Reds defeated Moana Pasifika 56-36.

Meanwhile, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will take on the Hurricanes at 3.35pm today in McLean Park, Napier, the Highlanders will face the Blues at 6.05pm today, and the Brumbies will play the Force at 8.35 tonight.

Source: Super Rugby Pacific