The Chiefs are now the only unbeaten side in the Shop N Save Super Rugby Pacific after a 24-14 win over the Waratahs at Allianz Stadium
A late try to winger Emoni Narawa – his second on the night – sealed a 24-14 win at – a place the Chiefs had won just two of 10 times previously against the Tahs – as Damian McKenzie was able to come out on the right side in his 100th game for the club.
Having toppled the Sydneysiders in their previous six meetings, scoring at least 39 points on each occasion, the Chiefs here they hardly looked likely for much of the contest before right winger Narawa latched onto a grubber from the hot-to-trot Shaun Stevenson to seal the deal.
After a first half where the visitors enjoyed a whopping 70% possession and 65% territory, they could only go to the sheds at 7-7 after a frustrating mix of errors and strong Waratahs defence, with the hosts firing up big-time at the breakdown.
The 52nd minute injections of Samisoni Taukei’aho and Stevenson which pushed McKenzie from fullback to first-five proved key, with both having serious says in the lead-up to Narawa’s first try a couple of minutes later.
Down by 10, though, the Waratahs weren’t done, as Narawa was pinged at ruck time and a nice non-jump lineout move saw Michael Hooper cross the chalk to narrow the margin.
However, the home side will look back at a couple of key dropped balls which could have made things so different.
Brodie Retallick picked up a pivotal ruck turnover, and soon later Cortez Ratima snuck a loose ball, and eventually it was the golden touch of Stevenson, who set up the match-clincher with his kick ricocheting off former Chiefs man Taleni Seu and seeing Narawa holding his poise to roll his way over the line.
In other results, the Crusaders beat the Brumbies 35-17 in Christchurch.
In other games this weekend, the Swire Shipping Fijian Drua will meet the Highlanders at 3.35pm, Moana Pasifika will take on the Hurricanes at 6.05pm, the Rebels will play the Reds at 8.35pm and the Blues will meet the Western Force at 2.35pm Sunday.
Source: Stuff.co
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