Chiefs topple scattergun Canes
22 May 2009
The Chiefs booked their first ever appearance in a Super Rugby final when they beat the Hurricanes 14-10 in Hamilton.
The men from Waikato will now await the result of the second semi-final in Pretoria on Saturday to see whether they will host the Crusaders in next weekend’s showpiece or face a tough trip up to the highveld to front the Bulls.
In a typically tense semi-final, it was the Chiefs’ more composed second-half performance that was the difference between the two sides. They played the smarter rugby in the second stanza, while the Canes seemed to get their tactics wrong and failed to seriously test the hosts’ defensive line.
The key moment in the game came when a poor kick from Hurricanes flyhalf Willie Ripia was collected by Mils Muliaina, who started and finished a move in which Sitiveni Sivivatu, who flew past three defenders, and Toby Morland, featured prominently.
The Canes tried valiantly to bounce back thereafter, but had neither the tactical intelligence nor patience to unhinge the Chiefs.
As was the case when the two teams met in their league encounter a fortnight ago, it was a physical battle with some huge hits.
The first half was played at a frenetic pace, with both teams showing a willingness to run the ball from almost any point on the field.
Both teams were uncompromising at the breakdown, while the Canes had the upper hand at the set pieces, particularly at scrum time, where the loss of prop Ben May was clearly affecting the hosts.
The Chiefs had the bulk of the possession early on, but the Canes’ defence was well organised, and for the most part they were able to keep the Chiefs’ flyers quiet.
The Canes got their breakthrough against the run of play when Cory Jane found the powerful Victor Vito hitting the line at pace. He surged over the advantage line and fed the ball to Ma’a Nonu to finish off. Piri Weepu nailed the conversion and the visitors were out to a 7-0 lead.
The Chiefs attempted to hit back with some good percentage rugby, taking the ball upfield with a number of powerful carries from their big forwards.
Colin Cooper’s side were then dealt a harsh blow when John Schwalger was binned for a ruck infringement in the red zone. TV replays proved the prop’s innocence.
Stephen Donald missed the resulting penalty, but the Chiefs finally made their numerical advantage count when Sione Lauaki was found in space out wide.
The burly No 8 thundered down the touchline, handing off both Jane and Rodney So’oialo with ease, before finishing in the corner. Donald’s conversion was good and the scores were level.
The teams were again fairly direct early in the second half, and while the Canes bossed possession, they couldn’t find a way through the Chiefs’ defence with ball in hand, forcing them to turn to the boot. But their tactics backfired as Ripia’s aimless kick led to the Chiefs’ second try.
The Chiefs were in control of the game and the visitors desperately needed a lifeline.
It eventually came with just over 15 minutes to go when they were awarded a penalty near the left touchline. Weepu stepped up and slotted it to cut the Chiefs’ lead to just four points (14-10).
With time running out and heavy fog descending, the Canes threw everything at the Chiefs, and managed to set up a lineout 10m from the their tryline. They rumbled up for 5m, being resisted by desperate Chiefs defenders. Composure was needed to break down the wall, but instead they knocked on just 3m short.
The Chiefs celebrated wildly, while the Canes’ players slumped to the deck.
Many expect them to be making the trip to Loftus next week, but if the Crusaders can defy the odds and down the Bulls, the Chiefs will back themselves to secure their first ever Super Rugby title.
By Andrew Worling
739 Comments
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22 May 2009, 22:01 pm
#693 carol: Yes, Delport fast and strong, but not a reliable and intelligent player, IMO. But he is a bloke from Pta, so we will hope for the best.
Good night all !
22 May 2009, 22:02 pm
#696 SA Barbarians: Typical of me, wrong place, wrong time!!
Early Night ? Nudge nudge, wink wink ??
22 May 2009, 22:03 pm
#697 carol: Ok that did it! Now I am definately leaving!!
22 May 2009, 22:03 pm
#699 carol: wink nudge nudge nudge……………
22 May 2009, 22:04 pm
Everyone is off……
Is it my perfume?
I wanted to have a little gloat with GBS about my No.7, yes 7 placing…
It will wait, he taught me too well!
22 May 2009, 22:05 pm
#702 carol: GBS retired about an hour ago … more winks and nudges
22 May 2009, 22:07 pm
For long have adored the eccentricity of this blog
As of late those feelings are changing to that of fear and unease
This site is becoming rather chilling
22 May 2009, 22:07 pm
#700 SA Barbarians: Please allow me my small moment of glory!!
My last sporting success was winning the Midlands round of the UK Chasers Cross Country Pairs competition. (Horse stuff) being 7th on superbru nearly matches that!!
22 May 2009, 22:08 pm
#701 SA Barbarians: Go for it!!
#703 SA Barbarians: Sounds like GBS is!!
22 May 2009, 22:09 pm
#704 saffa_guy: Have you checked your phone for bugs?
22 May 2009, 22:10 pm
#704 saffa_guy: Do I have to read through 15 pages to understand that?
Perhaps you could brief me? (perhaps not)
22 May 2009, 22:10 pm
#705 carol: You are fully entitled to enjoy your success!
They should have substantial prizes for to achievers
22 May 2009, 22:12 pm
#673 grant10: Noo, I missed you as well… ;-(
22 May 2009, 22:13 pm
#708 carol: perhaps not would be my humble advice… otherwise a 2nd and/or 3rd opinion may be the way to go.
Ok cheers, I’m out till tomorrow
22 May 2009, 22:13 pm
#709 SA Barbarians: Bless you, now go and have a great evening…
Hope to bump into you during the Bulls game!!
GO BULLS >>>>>
22 May 2009, 22:15 pm
#711 SA Barbarians: Cheers..
suppose I had better go and do something constructive now!!
22 May 2009, 22:15 pm
#704 saffa_guy:
What happened here today mate?
22 May 2009, 22:19 pm
My rear view mirror has taken on a new dimension.
I will probably have to use a whole lot more, hahahaha
22 May 2009, 22:23 pm
#715 Sheriff: What brings you to Night Owls Sheriff?
15 pages, its Friday….I will have to skip this..
Beer anyone?
22 May 2009, 22:28 pm
I see on my dashboard there is still quite a bit of F5-ing going on so I’ll make a few comments:
1. There a no dockets anywhere; my type of sense of humour unfortunately not appreciated always
That is why a guy like katman must come back so I can be more meek and mild, hahaha
2. Those who read the thread should not worry about their privacy as was implied. I did what I did for a specific reason for a specific person – there has been no one like that in my time here on keo
It always amazes me how paranoid people are out there. Guilty consciences, haha?
22 May 2009, 22:31 pm
#716 carol:
I read the comments at night very often, but dont always join in having had my fair share mostly.
Today was a special day.
I have learnt today that people are guilty until proven innocent. Do you think I’ve learnt the right lesson today?
22 May 2009, 22:40 pm
Good night all!
(cannot wait for people to quote the “dashboard”)
23 May 2009, 00:30 am
#654 wooden spoon: My Brummie friend.
I hope not.
I will revert to type.
Or go to RW again.
23 May 2009, 00:35 am
Sheriff’s intentions:
707. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 5:01 pm
Good night all!
It is very unpleasant to zoom in on one blogger, but for the sake of equilibrium it has to be done.
I usually assign myself to this as I know I have a little more patience than most, but at times today I nearly ran out as well.
I will continue to fight this good fight and ask bloggers’ patience in this matter.
Our ratio has always been 95% rugby and 5% other; when people want to make it 95% other than some intervention is necessary.
505. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 3:42 pm
#484 Pietman:
Mooi gaan Pieter!
keo se ekwilibrium is versteur; lêer op my lessenaar.
Sal poog om dit nou vir eens en vir altyd uit die weg te ruim.
Ek vra geduld terwyl hierdie proses hom uitwoed.
443. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 3:25 pm
#374 lilith:
Jy dink dis ‘n grap.
Ek gaan regtig moeite doen. Jy sal sien.
363. Dawn :
May 20th, 2009 at 3:06 pm
QUOTE:
“337. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
#310 lilith:
No let me help you.
I have opened a docket and your name is on it. You brought this on yourself. I really realy hope that you dont get banned this time.”
A DOCKET ??????
305. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
#277 Dawn:
I will do what I believe is right.
Now I dont need your approval or anybody else’s.
So it’s about choosing sides? I dont give a sh*t about sides.
The archives are there. Full of evidence of Sheriff challenging people on principle.
Tell hater/lilith I will leave no stone unturned. I have not had a project in a long time.
337. Sheriff :
May 20th, 2009 at 3:00 pm
#310 lilith:
No let me help you.
I have opened a docket and your name is on it. You brought this on yourself. I really realy hope that you dont get banned this time.
Btw – this is not a threat.
I have now taken this stand on principle.
23 May 2009, 04:03 am
Fight! Fight!
23 May 2009, 04:34 am
#721 lilith:
Nobody (but your few lap-dogs) gives a fark little ‘girl rebel without a cause’ drown in your pap-sak or move on to another non-rugby site… preferably the former…
23 May 2009, 06:13 am
#721 lilith:
Its about time you faaked off to some other site where you can wallow in your own hate and self pity. It is never pleasant when you are around and I have yet to see a positive comment from you apart from when you are blackslapping one of your liberation gang members………
23 May 2009, 06:15 am
#721 lilith:
When is this idiot going to be banned?
23 May 2009, 06:16 am
THIS POST IS IN NO WAY DIRECTED TO SHERIFF (for his comments/actions) BUT TO ALL AND SUNDRY OTHER POSTERS.
Hmm disturbing under-current here, one has to question if the choice of ID/Nick is astute or total TOM FOOLERY.
Is Sheriff indeed the real deal in American interpretation of the profession or is it for the REPO man, the Bailiff as per the English. If the answer is the American then one has to question the so called validity of intent.
If the ID is to the REPO type… the kind that earns ones living for process servicing of warrants, seizing assets of the economically challenged, etc. Well then it would explain the tactics.
American reason for the ID/Nick – Lacking judgment on all counts
RATES a big fat ZERO
English reason for the ID/Nick – Understandable total lowlife lacking judgement.
RATES a big fat ZERO
Either US or English version of the title… a jackass’ actions lacking sincerity.
23 May 2009, 06:30 am
But, I gotta say that Sherrif apears to have lost perspective as to what is private and what is public…….bit of a doos move dude!
23 May 2009, 06:35 am
Congratulations Chiefs and commiserations Canes.
Bring on the next semi, go Bulls and Saders.
23 May 2009, 12:46 pm
#723 money_man:
#724 whatever:
I think you two have this out of perspective. Lilith did post much here yesterday. Sheriff has performed an incredibly psycho act and then tried to justify it, apologise for it, defend it, and blither on about it for about 300 posts.
His inability to leave something alone and compulsiveness to respond to everything and justify everything was very disturbing.
If he was not clearly the most disturbing blogger on this site before, he is now
I would rather blog with an angry blogger than a psycho that is going to try and track me down
23 May 2009, 12:48 pm
#729 chch:
typo … Lilth did Not post much here yesterday
23 May 2009, 12:53 pm
2hrs and 10 minutes before kick-off.
Which way will it go?
23 May 2009, 13:02 pm
Sheriff
Ignore the arm-chair psycho babble.
We are dealing with a very disruptive person an dher petroleum poppie support base..
Thanks for fighting the fight.
23 May 2009, 13:04 pm
#732 Bul-a-Bhloo:
Thanks mate!
How is the “senuwees”?
23 May 2009, 13:09 pm
#733 Sheriff: I am actually quite calm, but looking forward to the game.
I’m one of the guys who don’t go off the rails with a loss.
Sport is there to be enjoyed.
Doesn’t mean losing is nice…..
23 May 2009, 13:58 pm
#729 chch: hey chch, how’s it going mate? I saw on re>union that the game will be starting around 24:50 your local time…geez, that’s quite late, anyway i’m crossing fingers for the saders…should be a thriller…
No need to engage some people here, the thread speaks for itself, no need for additional interpretation…
23 May 2009, 14:01 pm
#735 Transformation:
It is in about 1 hour right?
I am still in Brisvagas …. fly to NZ tomorrow …. so not too late for me
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