17 February 2012 Back to Latest News

In a match that could have gone either way the Chiefs win slipped from them in the closing minutes of the game.

In a match played in the most horrendous conditions the Chiefs were beaten in the closing stanza of the match by the Hurricanes 23-19. 

In a match that could have gone either way, the thunder, rain and lightning bolts were enough to close Auckland and Taupo’s airports.  But the people of Taupo showed great enthusiasm in the worst conditions possible as both sides traded penalties.  With six all on the score board, Aaron Cruden notched another penalty.  Chiefs’ halfback Brendon Leonard impressed he crowd and was the first to cross the chalk line from a set move, giving the hosts a 16-6 lead going into the halftime break.

The Hurricanes quickly replied early in the second half with flanker Jack Lam scoring.  Penalties were traded and the Hurricanes scored another try with ten left on the clock.  They also picked up a penalty to give them a 23-19 lead.  The match finished with the Chiefs on attack threatening to score.

Chiefs No 8 Fritz Lee was strong and Cruden showed his class with the boot and achieved 100% in the atrocious conditions.  However Chiefs coach Dave Rennie said “We had enough possession but we were not clinical enough and it’s the little things we need to stress to ensure we get the results we want”.  Sonny Bill Williams played the full match and Rennie commented that he would have liked to have got more ball to him but obviously conditions made that tough.

The Chiefs play the Highlanders in their first round of Investec Super Rugby next Saturday night at Waikato Stadium.