5th February 2010 07:31AM

The Chiefs narrowly went down to the Hurricanes in hot conditions in their final preseason in Rotorua this afternoon.

The 3pm game, scheduled at this time to prepare the Chiefs for the hot conditions they will encounter in South Africa and Perth in the coming weeks, saw around 1700 people attend.

The Hurricanes were first off the mark with winger Tamati Ellison crossing the line.  However, it didn't take long for the Chiefs to hit back with a try to openside flanker Tanerau Latimer after good forward work from Sione Lauaki.  Stephen Donald then kicked the conversion.

It was a physical first half and possession was shared evenly between the teams. In the last minute Hurricanes loose forward Scott Waldrom scored a try to make it 10-7 going into half-time.

After the break the Chiefs held possession for some time and were rewarded with a crashing try from captain Sione Lauaki.  There were a number of good mauls in the second half from the Chiefs.  The final points of the game were scored by Karl Lowe with an intercept try, converted by Aaron Cruden. 

Both teams, who cleared all their benches, came through the match unscathed.

Halfback Brendon Leonard who featured prominently in the game said: "it was a confidence building hit out before we head off on Sunday. The hot conditions certainly made it difficult, but that's we needed from this game."

Chiefs coach Ian Foster said: "it was satisfying progress from our first two hit-outs and that coupled with the lack of injuries means we can go to South Africa in a pretty good state."

The Chiefs squad to travel to South Africa and Perth will be announced late tomorrow morning.  Twenty six players will be named for the Chiefs campaign which starts in Durban against the Sharks next Sunday morning New Zealand time. 

First Half

Try: Latimer

Conversion: Donald 

Second Half

Try: Latimer 

The Chiefs team to play the Hurricanes was: 

1.    Sona Taumalolo
2.    Aled de Malmanche
3.    James McGougan
4.    Craig Clarke
5.    Culum Retallick
6.    Liam Messam
7.    Tanerau Latimer
8.    Sione Lauaki
9.    Brendon Leonard
10.    Stephen Donald
11.    Sitiveni Sivivatu
12.     Jackson Willison
13.    Richard Kahui
14.    Jason Hona (WTG)
15.    Mike Delany

Reserves: Ben Afeaki, Nathan White, Toby Smith (WTG), Hika Elliot, Romana Graham, Jarrad Hoeata, Luke Braid, Jack Lam (WTG), Junior Poluleuligaga,  Callum Bruce, Tim Nanai-Williams, Dwayne Sweeney.