Sport24.co.za | Chiefs extend NZ dominance, thrash Reds
Cape Town – The Chiefs reminded all and sundry of the gulf that exists between New Zealand and Australian rugby with a dominant victory over the Reds in Brisbane on Saturday.
The Chiefs, decimated by injuries all season and forced to make do with playmaker Damian McKenzie after 20 minutes, were still far too strong for their hosts, winning 36-12 having led 24-0 at half-time.
The Chiefs and Reds entered the match in fourth position in their respective New Zealand and Australian Conferences, but throughout the 80 minutes there was only one likely winner.
Incredibly, the Chiefs’ win was the 35th consecutive victory for a New Zealand side over their Australian opponents in Super Rugby.
The Chiefs scored five tries through locks Tyler Ardron and Brodie Retallick, fullback Charlie Ngatai, hooker Liam Polwart and replacement rake Samisoni Taukei’aho. McKenzie landed two conversions and a penalty before he was forced from the field, replaced by his brother, Marty, who also landed two conversions.
The Reds replied with a brace of tries by centre Samu Kerevi and a conversion by flyhalf Jono Lance.
The Chiefs picked up their try-scoring bonus point in the 85th minute, and their victory saw them move to third in the New Zealand Conference and fifth in the Overall log.
The Reds left empty-handed and remained fourth and 12th in the Australian Conference and Overall standings, respectively.
In next weekend’s Round 11 action, the Chiefs have a bye, while the Reds face another daunting prospect against the Lions in Brisbane (Saturday, April 28 at 07:05 SA time).
Scorers:
Reds
Tries: Samu Kerevi (2)
Conversion: Jono Lance
Chiefs
Tries: Tyler Ardron, Charlie Ngatai, Brodie Retallick, Liam Polwart, Samisoni Taukei’aho
Conversions: Damian McKenzie (2), Marth McKenzie (2)
Penalty: Damian McKenzie
Teams:
Reds
15 Aidan Toua, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Chris Feauai-Sautia, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Izaia Perese, 10 Jono Lance, 9 Ben Lucas, 8 Caleb Timu, 7 Liam Wright, 6 Angus Scott-Young, 5 Kane Douglas, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper (captain)
Substitutes: 16 Alex Mafi, 17 JP Smith, 18 Ruan Smith, 19 Harry Hockings, 20 George Smith, 21 Moses Sorovi, 22 Hamish Stewart, 23 Jordan Petaia
Chiefs
15 Charlie Ngatai, 14 Sean Wainui, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Johnny Fa’auli, 11 Solomon Alaimalo, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, 8 Pita Gus Sowakula, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Lachlan Boshier, 5 Tyler Ardron, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Angus Ta’avao, 2 Liam Polwart, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Substitutes: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Sam Prattley, 18 Jeff Thwaites, 19 Luke Jacobson, 20 Liam Messam, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Marty McKenzie, 23 Alex Nankivell