Chiefs top in Hickville
15 May 2009
The Chiefs secured home-ground advantage for next week’s semi-finals with a tense 10-7 win over the Brumbies.
As expected, the game, which had taken on ‘quarter-final’ status, was a tense affair with the forwards dominating the early exchanges. The scrums were hotly contested as was the tackle point, and there was some no-nonsense cleaning out from both sides.
The first half was fairly even, but the Chiefs dominated both territory and possession in the second stanza, and in the end claimed a deserved win, securing their first home semi-final in the process. It is a remarkable achievement after having lost their opening three games.
The Brumbies fought all the way with some gutsy defence, but were on the back foot for the majority of the game.
In the first 40 the hosts enjoyed the territorial advantage, while the Brumbies had slightly more of the ball as both sides appeared to cancel each other out.
Both Stirling Mortlock and Stephan Donald missed penalty attempts, both of which you would have expected kickers of their caliber to slot with ease – a clear indication of the pressure on both sets of players.
After a tight first half an hour, the game finally opened up when some brilliant work from Adam Ashley-Cooper saw Francis Fainifo break the deadlock. The Brumbies fullback first nonchalantly handed off Callum Bruce before putting through a well-weighted kick, and Lelia Masaga’s lazy cover defence saw Fainifo sneak in for the first try of the game, which Stirling Mortlock converted.
That seemed to spark the game into life as the Chiefs hit back immediately through a try from Donald, after some good work on the wing from Masaga. This saw the sides level at seven-all at half-time.
Chiefs coach Ian Foster was far from happy with his side’s set piece work in the first half, and rightfully so, as the Brumbies had the better of the hosts at both lineout and scrum time.
Their cause wasn’t helped in this regard when prop Ben May was forced to leave the field after the break, but Sona Taumalolo’s introduction galvanised the Chiefs’ front row, resulting in a much improved second half showing.
The Chiefs made the better start to the second stanza, setting up camp in the Brumbies’ half. But the hosts had little to show for their territorial advantage, as the Brumbies were doing a good job of spoiling at the breakdown, Brumbies openside flank George Smith proving to be a irritation for the Chiefs.
Donald had the first chance to put his side in front, but once again his nerves got the better of him as his penalty attempt rebounded of the upright.
Missing the last three games with a sternum injury didn’t seem to hamper Chiefs scrumhalf Brendon Leonard, who produced a brilliant performance. It was the All Blacks scrumhalf’s charge down that looked set to break the tie, but Bruce failed to hold onto the ball in the wet and the chance was gone.
The decisive point in the game came with just under 12 minutes left when, having just come on to the field, replacement Huia Edmonds was sent to the bin for a cynical infringement at ruck time.
Donald slotted the resulting penalty to give his side a three-point lead.
Trailing by three with 10 minutes to play and a man down, the Brumbies needed to something special. But the Chiefs played smart, pegging the visitors back in their half and winding down the clock.
The Brumbies were awarded a penalty on the halfway line with time almost up, but they failed to find touch with the kick, and the Chiefs cleared their lines.
The win means the Chiefs will be back in front of their home crowd next week, while the Brumbies will need massive favours from the likes of the Blues, Bulls and Lions if they are to sneak into the play-offs.
By Andrew Worling
646 Comments
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15 May 2009, 15:37 pm
#589 poppa69:
good
15 May 2009, 15:38 pm
#599 poppa69: for sure
15 May 2009, 15:39 pm
Dawn,
When we first talked 2 years ago you were on Bourbon ….. what is this Whiskey now?
15 May 2009, 15:41 pm
#601 chch: breaking news in aussie, they have named some more of the players in the *** scandal..
Paul Gallen, Brett Firman and a couple of others… though Gallen claims he wasnt involved..
15 May 2009, 15:46 pm
#603 poppa69:
What *** scandal. They have AFL, NRL and Shane Warne here …. there is a *** scandal every week
15 May 2009, 15:49 pm
#604 chch: Whats that stand for CHCH : A….e F..g. League ; Nubile refs League and Wankers league?
15 May 2009, 15:50 pm
#598 poppa69: You better take up that deal with grant10. If Bulls get a home semi they will win the final. You have no idea how hard it is to win up there at altitude with about 50 000 people in blue. Very tough.
#597 Ed_the_Lion: Yip, they should give you your licence for more than 5 years before having to register for it again. Just think with all what happens here they have to do it. I still have my Dutch driving licence. It only expires in 2015. Think it last for 25 years something like that. Anyway that how it goes here. Had a hectic week up here plenty to do.
Just have a feeling the Sharks could win tomorrow. Could be wrong. They have let me down a lot in the past few weeks. Also no Francie at 12 thats a big loss. So maybe not. Bulls could win too. They will want it maybe more than us if we are out of it by then. We will know after the Saders play tomorrow.
15 May 2009, 15:51 pm
#604 chch: the Cronulla Sharks with the NZ girl, Matty Johns career is in tatters now…
15 May 2009, 15:53 pm
#605 bananaboy:
I think…
Australian Football League and National Rugby League
Rape is common and the Bulldogs player who got off 4 years ago was like the OJ Simpson case …. everyone in the country new he did it but a team still signed him and fans still turned up
IMO It is sickening **** that people take their kids to watch them
15 May 2009, 15:54 pm
Okay all out of here now.
Cheers my kiwi mates Poppa, Cane and chch.
Good luck Lions for the game tonight.
15 May 2009, 15:54 pm
#607 poppa69:
I will Gooogle
15 May 2009, 15:55 pm
#609 Puma:
Cheers Puma,
We are all behind the Lions
15 May 2009, 15:56 pm
#606 Puma: but I need them to lose at home Puma lol
#608 chch: as you say, every year there is a scandal, and every year they try to cover it up… shocking stuff..
15 May 2009, 15:58 pm
#609 Puma: cheers Puma, safe travels tomorrow mate…
go the LIONS
go the TJARKS
I am also off, been fun everyone.. till next time…
15 May 2009, 16:02 pm
#613 poppa69: Cheers poppa. It has been fun today. No one here making trouble. Should always be like that. Had some good laughs today.
I am really looking forward to getting back to the coast.
Love Umhlanga.
Cheers my friend. Now out of here.
15 May 2009, 16:06 pm
I just read the other thread and not good.
I have really enjoyed this thread tonight. I think I will time out now also
Cheers people
15 May 2009, 16:14 pm
#613 poppa69: Hey poppa, I am goinng to duck for a while and catch a bit of a nap before the game….might see you later then, or what?
15 May 2009, 16:15 pm
#615 chch:
Where is not not good, what thread?
15 May 2009, 16:16 pm
#538 poppa69:
Yeah, but Raki is alcohol. Kava is not alcohol, it is a root-herb that has narcotic qualities. They munch it up with mortar/pestle, then drain water thru it and, effectively, drink it fresh.
Maybe the effect is more similar to Africas ‘kat’ ?
Raki is indeed evil. Have sailed around many Croatian islands (best holiday ever, bluest water ever) and all the locals have their own homemade. Often flavoured with herbs. Not one of them doesnt taste like petrol. In fact, I’ll take benzene any day.
#518 poppa69:
talking of Croatia, what part are you from ?
We sailed in to and stayed at the island of Brac. Know Brac ? Its famous for 1 thing……oh, ok, 2 things.
1. main supplier of the Worlds 1st quality marble. The White House is made from Brac stone ! The Romans started ransacking it for marble milleniums ago.
2. as we handed our Kiwi passports in at the marina, the Croat lady said “ah, Kiwis ! are you here for the fish ?”. As it turns out, a Kiwi-Croat (perhaps Suminovich ?) has returned to Brac and started a salmon farm. And he only employs Kiwis, apparently.
Stunning country, food and people is Croatia. Vis, Hvar and Korcula my favourite spots and Split is amongst the best party cities anywhere.
15 May 2009, 16:20 pm
#617 Pietman:
Ok,got it.
Nonsense that.
No worries.
15 May 2009, 16:21 pm
#568 poppa69:
Yep, Croat chicas are stunning. Unique eyes and cheekbones. The fellas were in Pervy Heaven.
15 May 2009, 16:31 pm
chiefs win by 3 Chiefs to top Bulls have it all to do. Up to Sharks to either roll over and play dead or go for the impossible.
15 May 2009, 17:14 pm
saw my old mate JL1 dissing the sharks supporters again.
have it on good authority why newlands has good crowds on a sat.
behind railway stand is a free soup kitchen
tik merchants are allowed free entrance to doc craven stand
free brandy and coke in the north stand
grand stand members get new kinky porno dvd’s each game.
bloody clever those wpru executive
15 May 2009, 17:18 pm
#622 charo: ha ha ha classic man
15 May 2009, 17:23 pm
#621 eish shibobo: nobody should ever roll over and play dead
#622 charo: nope, because we are suckers for pain
15 May 2009, 17:27 pm
#624 SpringbokSarah: good comment especially in rugby there is no room for rolling up and playing dead any where
15 May 2009, 17:29 pm
#625 byoboy: you could protect the ball that way though…
15 May 2009, 17:36 pm
#626 SpringbokSarah: ha ha..ja maybe, but must admit i’ve never protected the ball like that
15 May 2009, 17:40 pm
#627 byoboy: well Schalk used to hug the ball and the poor player holding on to it
15 May 2009, 17:45 pm
i really thought the Brumbies should have kicked for goals
with the last penalty, no ways were they going to get a try
15 May 2009, 17:49 pm
Great result for the BULLS.
Only have to beat sharks without bonus point.
Lets face it the Bulls are all we’ve got
15 May 2009, 17:49 pm
Schalk will be Schalk..legend
15 May 2009, 17:51 pm
#622 charo:
Gotta admit the sharks play rubbish, bunch of butter fingers
15 May 2009, 17:55 pm
#631 byoboy: not much use with an injury
15 May 2009, 18:01 pm
#617 Pietman:
The one that they are arguing on. BokFan1 again
15 May 2009, 18:04 pm
#633 SpringbokSarah: ja unfortunately, but we got some good back up for the lions tour
15 May 2009, 18:08 pm
#633 SpringbokSarah:
he will be fit….good for him to have a rest….
15 May 2009, 18:09 pm
how long till the Lions?
2 hours?
15 May 2009, 18:15 pm
#637 chch:
1 hour …
15 May 2009, 18:33 pm
for those who are interested i’ve just heard a radio interview with pdv: no overseas boks will be brought in for the lions tour. i sort of agree coz you can’t have your cake and eat it and we’ve got enough talent right here in SA.
15 May 2009, 18:37 pm
#639 byoboy: thats a crock of **** and so damn shortsighted…advantage b lions
15 May 2009, 18:40 pm
#639 byoboy: Nope that’s not it.
When you try to squeeze in all your promises (like Earl Rose) including the overseas players makes it so much more difficult to justify. Think tight-head….
Snor was a not the best coach for the job and nothing will change that. Silly little man best suited to sevens and U21.
15 May 2009, 21:41 pm
#641 Bul-a-Bhloo:ha ha jy is korekk boet. heyneke vir mayor for sure maar.. anyway. i’m tellin you why import when we got local talent?
16 May 2009, 04:35 am
#618 BlackPanther: BP my father is from Loviste’ … on the mainland opposite Korcula is Orebic, you drive through Orebic, then have to cross the mountainside and Loviste is there… Have been to Brac , Hvar, and spent a weekend on Korcula, great place to party… while in Korcula, was lucky enough to witness a traditional wedding, awesome stuff…
Split also is a mad party town, and I also really enjoyed Dubrovnik… My father told me that during the 2nd world war, there was an agreement not to bomb Dubrovnik..
didnt know that about the marble… and the ladies loved the kiwi accent…
cheers
16 May 2009, 04:40 am
#616 Pietman: Will catch you tonight my time cuz, prob for Tjarks/Bulls game.. I have to go out tonight unfortunately, so will miss the saders game..
till then bro
Kia kaha
16 May 2009, 06:45 am
#602 chch:
Bourbon is for whiskey drinking wannabes.
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