13 July 2012 Back to Latest News

The Chiefs will look to regroup after the Hurricanes snatched victory deep into injury time 28-25 in a heart-stopping contest at Westpac Stadium in Wellington this evening.

By Anthony Momoemausu 

The Chiefs will look to regroup after the Hurricanes snatched victory deep into injury time 28-25 in a heart-stopping contest at Westpac Stadium in Wellington this evening.

Playing in front of a bumper crowd of over 25 000 both sides put on a spectacle thrilling fans with highly-skilled, end to end rugby.

As the final round concludes the teams will set back as other sides jostle for positions in the overall standings.

It was the visitors who had an early opportunity refusing the shot at goal as the forwards made progress applying pressure on the Hurricanes defence.

The Chiefs were soon over for their first try when halfback Tawera Kerr-Barlow caught the Hurricanes off guard slicing through to score and ensuring his side got off to a perfect start. 

All Blacks and Hurricanes first five Beauden Barrett reduced the gap with a penalty after Jack Lam broke away from a rolling maul to go close to scoring before the Chiefs conceded the penalty.

With the Chiefs hot on attack a quick turnover allowed the hosts to counter as captain Conrad Smith led the way with a tenacious run. The ensuing phase saw the ball spread wide as the hulking winger Julian Savea touched down in the corner to take the lead.

Back and forth rugby by both outfits had them in position to convert the pressure into further tries but it was Savea who grabbed his second try in an unconventional way for a back, rumbling over from the base of the ruck.

Barrett's conversion pushed the score out to 15-7 as the overall game was played at a frantic pace entertaining the fans throughout Westpac Stadium.

In a real momentum swing the Hurricanes found themselves a man down when former Chiefs prop Ben May was harshly sent to the sin bin after an alleged spear-tackle on Sonny Bill Williams.

The visitors soon managed to work their way into attacking position before the Hurricanes discipline appeared to let them down as Cruden nailed another penalty to bring the margin to five.

The scores were soon level as the Cruden's attempt at goal struck the post but a lucky bounce gave the competition frontrunners one more attacking opportunity. As the Chiefs continued to string together the phases the human juggernaut Ben Tameifuna barged over for his first try in Super Rugby.

Lock Brodie Retallick could have felt unlucky after referee Jonathan Kaplan penalised the All Black to provide Barrett with a long range shot at goal. Barrett made no mistake kicking the penalty as the hosts went into halftime 18-15 ahead.

The Chiefs opened the second half with a blistering counter attacking move only for Cruden to have been judged to have placed a foot into touch with Kerr-Barlow speeding ahead for what would have been his second try.

The partnership between Cruden and Williams seemed to trouble the Hurricanes as a trademark offload by the midfielder sent Cruden racing down the sideline again before passing to Kane Thompson putting them on the front foot.

Eventually it was the in-form Cruden who stole the lead back for the Chiefs when he beautifully anticipated an inside pass from Barrett to Savea, blitzing 40 metres to dot down under the posts.

Both Cruden and Barrett traded further three pointers as Chiefs seemed to gain an advantage in territory and possession.

Going in search for the all important four try bonus point the Chiefs were dangerous breaking the Hurricanes line on several occasion with Williams and Tim Nanai-Williams linking nicely at one stage.

For the Chiefs it was the third consecutive week where the match would be decided after the full time siren had sounded. 

The visitors had defended for a long period as the Hurricanes surged ahead, but it was Dane Coles who ended up over the line before the TMO made it official upon further replays.

Barrett managed to slot the conversion as the thrilling encounter was brought to end by Kaplan with the hosts snatching victory by 28-25.

The Chiefs will now await further results from the around the competition to see who they will face as they now prepare to host one semi-final in two weeks. 

For further details refer to www.chiefs.co.nz or alternatively like the Chiefs Rugby Facebook page and follow them on twitter @ChiefsRugby for all your latest news and updates.

Score Summary

Chiefs: 25 (Kerr-Barlow, Tameifuna, Cruden tries; Cruden 2 pens, 2 cons)
Hurricanes: 28 (Savea 2, Coles tries; Barrett 3 pens, 2 cons)

As it Happened.

Minute.       Match Detail.           Score.

3.                Kerr-Barlow Try.      5-0

3.                Cruden Con.            7-0

6.                Barrett Pen.             7-3

11.              Savea Try.               7-8

23.              Savea Try.               7-13

24.              Barrett Con.             7-15

31.              Cruden Pen.            10-15

37.              Tameifuna Try.        15-15

40.              Barrett Pen.             15-18

Halftime

57.              Cruden Try.              20-18

58.              Cruden Con.             22-18

61.              Barrett Pen.              22-21

65.              Cruden Pen.             25-21

80+4.          Coles Try.                 25-26

80+5.          Barrett Con.              25-28

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