AT FMG Stadium Waikato: Leaders 20 (Emoni Narawa 2 tries 1min, 26min; Damian McKenzie 2 pins, 2 cons), Blue 13 (Ricky Riccitelli tries 9min, Caleb Clarke tries 17min; Beauden Barrett pen). HT: 17-10.
Make no mistake. New Zealand rugby has a new topper as Clayton McMillan’s Chiefs have now made their best ever start to a Super Rugby season with a sixth win on the bounce to consolidate their spot at the top of the league table.
Naturally, they needed a little help from a riotous Blues outfit in a scorching Battle of the Bombays match played in slippery conditions in Hamilton. Just as they did against the Crusaders, Leon MacDonald’s side bombed several tries they really should have done more with, and also paid the price for rejecting a penalty shootout succession.
The Blues dominated the second 40 at Stadium Waikato, and the fact that all they had to show for that was a lousy penalty for Beauden Barrett will be the subject of much consternation in the visiting camp. They just spent too much time hammering the Chiefs line about the spell to come away empty handed.
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Barrett’s bombed first-half effort was also possibly costly on a disappointing night for the Blues. They create a lot of pressure, a lot of chances, but are now only 3-3, with 16 points on the table.
The Chiefs, whose defense was courageous and committed throughout, but especially on the home run, are now 6-0 – their best ever start to a campaign – and on 27 points. They will catch some from here for first place.
Former Blues wing Emoni Narawa was the Chiefs’ standout as he came back to chase his old team in a game-winning performance. His two attempts in the first half finally proved the difference. Damian McKenzie also made a big shift in his 100th appearance (making 12 tackles and beating Barrett in contention for 10), while Samisoni Taukei’aho unleashed his power in the first half and Shaun Stevenson and Etene Nanai-Setoro spent the entire time a lot of work. Brad Weber also had a mighty fight with his old friend Fin Christie.
Hannah Peters/Getty Images
Chiefs wing Emoni Narawa dives in Saturday night for a try against the Blues at FMG Stadium Waikato.
Barrett has had better nights but held on until the end when he started to make some headway. Caleb Clarke and Hoskins Sotutu unleashed their usual power plays, but there were just too many mistakes from a Blues team that needs to figure out how to do better so close to the line. Visiting skipper Dalton Papalii had his positive moments, but likely shared the ledger with All Blacks rival Sam Cane, while Stephen Perofeta let a few late errors spoil his writing.
All tries (two apiece) came in the first 40, and it was the Chiefs who took a 17-10 lead in the pilots as they were more efficient and better than the visitors in the big moments.
Narawa was the star of the first half with both Chiefs tries – the first after just 24 seconds when he did it brilliantly to collect and force McKenzie’s spiked grubber for the ball’s corner kick – to deliver an electric performance. crown.
The Fiji-born wing added his second in the 26th minute when he got just enough room on the right wing from Nanai-Seturo and Stevenson to leap past the covering tacklers.
But the Blues had their moments too, especially through a dominant scrum, and apart from a strangely unbalanced opening quarter from Barrett, who blew a certain try as he stepped onto the back-line to narrow the corner and also made a wrong choice. either conversion attempt they might have been in a better position at half time.
HEAVEN SPORT
Blues playmaker Beauden Barrett bungles a simple effort against the Chiefs by inexplicably stepping on the dead ball line.
Hooker Ricky Riccitelli, low and powerful from a fast phase ball, and Clarke, too good for the Chiefs defenders wide, scored first-half tries for the Blues, but it was Barrett’s brain fade in the 14th minute, when he seemed too much to be. with the intention of improving the conversion, which the visitors would have regretted the most.
Spending much of the second 40 in the Chiefs’ 22, the Blues dominated possession and territory, but couldn’t get through. That finally proved all the difference on a night when the Chiefs showed they can win games with both their defense and their offense.
The big moment
Barrett’s horror opening quarter – a failed attempt in the 14th minute, two failed conversion attempts and a stone-cold knock-on with no pressure. Coughing up a potential 11 points did his team no good.
Match review
7/10: Given the rain and slippery surface, the mistakes were inevitable, and they did so in large numbers. The first half went well, but things got tight in the second 40. There was no doubt about the quality of the home defense either.
MVP
No one beat Narawa on a stunning night for the Chiefs wing in slippery conditions. The former Blues player scored two fantastic tries and demonstrated his skills as an open field runner. There are some outstanding wings vying for World Cup spots, and he may have added his name to the list.
The big picture
The Chiefs are rolling, with that 6-0 start, while the Blues have plenty to think about, especially their finishing shortcomings.