Tahs clout Chiefs

Tahs clout Chiefs

8 May 2010

The Waratahs boosted their semi-final hopes with a 46-19 bonus-point win against the Chiefs in Hamilton on Saturday.

With the Reds and Crusaders losing against the Hurricanes and Bulls respectively, the Tahs had an opportunity to move into a semi-final position.

However, the question was would the Tahs be able to produce a winning performance after a stale display in their defeat to the Highlanders last weekend? Head coach Chris Hickey made his intentions clear by tweaking the backline in a bid to play expansively and attempt to expose the Chiefs’ frail defence.

Berrick Barnes was shifted to pivot with scrumhalf Luke Burgess partnering him in a new halfback combination. Hickey also fielded a new centre pair in Tom Carter and Rob Horne. This proved effective as the Tahs improved on attack and a solid defensive display rounded off a convincing win.

Wing Drew Mitchell opened the scoring early on as his chip and chase beat the Chiefs’ defence. The Tahs created more opportunities thereafter, but the Chiefs were resilient on defence.

Conversely, the Chiefs struggled with ball in hand as they were seldom able to put more than five phases together. This allowed the Tahs to gain ascendancy once the Chiefs’ defence tired.

The Tahs added to their lead when Ben Mowen burst through two tackles, before hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau dived over from a driving maul. Barnes added five points with the boot through a conversion and penalty. The half-time score read 20-0.

Barnes secured the four-try bonus point after an intercept touchdown soon after the restart. This killed the Chiefs’ chances of a comeback, and their players seemed to lose their way after the Tahs went 27-0 ahead.

But the home team managed to open their tally through a try from fullback Tim Nanai-Williams.

The Tahs continued their onslaught and Kurtley Beale, Lachie Turner and Damien Fitzpatrick crossed the chalk. The Chiefs claimed two late consolation tries through Jackson Willison, but it proved insignificant as they lost their fifth home game of the season.

The win sees the Tahs jump the Canes into third on the log, with one round of fixtures left.

By Gareth Duncan


42 Comments

  • 1.Jinx: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 09:16 am

    Kick some *** Chiefs. Put the Tahs away. You can do it.

  • 2.Jinx: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 09:17 am

    I see one can’t say asss.

  • 3.Jinx: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 09:18 am

    Well kick some…

  • 4.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 09:28 am

    @Jinx(Jinx)-3: you got to prefix it, like kick some bigass :)

  • 5.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 09:39 am

    brilliant try mitchell

  • 6.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:00 am

    try tahs

    12-0

  • 7.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:05 am

    White should’ve went for that

  • 8.Jinx: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:05 am

    Mmmm, on second thoughts, the Tahs will kill these Chiefs. Pity.

  • 9.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:08 am

    try Tahs, bonus point on

  • 10.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:14 am

    Walsh having a good game, reffing for his career just now

  • 11.Kea-Cat: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:38 am

    Keo, come on man, get your oakes to sort the log out, how many games have the Crus. lost, or doesn’t yesterdays game count because of the biased ref.

  • 12.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:40 am

    Chiefs have hardly had the ball

  • 13.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:44 am

    big hit, do you have a link for this game?

  • 14.Springbokvel: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:45 am

    Pathetic showing by the Chiefs. Semi-finalists in order of finish – Bulls, Stormers, Waratahs, Crusaders. Stormers game against guppies getting more important by the minute.

  • 15.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:46 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-13: soccerforever.net/

  • 16.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:47 am

    some superb defence from Kahui in this one

  • 17.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:49 am

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-15: thanks Big Hit..

    @Springbokvel(Springbokvel)-14: Think Canes will have something to say about the Tahs getting to the finals, they play each other next week as do the Saders Brumbies… those games are straight knockout for the semi spot…

  • 18.Springbokvel: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:51 am

    Home field advantage for Tahs and Crusaders will make the difference.

  • 19.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:55 am

    Barnes a classy flyhalf, wasted at 12

  • 20.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:56 am

    Nanai-Williams try

    27-7

  • 21.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 10:59 am

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-20: that link didnt work for me BH, I like the look of Williams, one for the future I reckon..

  • 22.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:00 am

    Beale try

  • 23.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:02 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-21: yeah he’s sharp, Chiefs backs haven’t seen much ball today

  • 24.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:03 am

    Turner try, second bonus not out of the question now

  • 25.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:05 am

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-23: kind of glad the links not working, the chiefs have been absolutely woeful all season..

  • 26.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:07 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-25: their backs look dangerous but their set-piece work is shocking, second best at maul time and ruck time too so they’re just not getting ball

  • 27.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:10 am

    try Willison

  • 28.Vetkoek: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:11 am

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-24:

    second bonus point?

    @poppa69(poppa69)-25:

    Yeah- somethign is horribly wrong in Waikato. From finalists last year to this is not a good thing.

  • 29.The_Young_Turk: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:13 am

    @poppa69(poppa69)-25: have you tried the site myp2p.eu
    Follow the instructions and you can almost always see everything.

  • 30.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:14 am

    @Vetkoek(Vetkoek)-28: my bad, thought there was another bonus for 8 tries

  • 31.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:15 am

    Willison try

  • 32.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:17 am

    Fitzpatrick scores Tah’s seventh try

  • 33.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:18 am

    Record win for Tahs, top game. Mitchell surely motm.

  • 34.Big Hit: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:19 am

    46-19 FT

  • 35.poppa69: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:23 am

    @Big Hit(Big Hit)-26: the waikato of yesteryear was always feared for their forward pack, I know theyve suffered injuries but something definitely isnt right..

    congrats the Tahs

  • 36.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:32 am

    now where are all the stormers that were complaining about the Bulls victory last night?

    if the saders had won stormers would be fourth now.

  • 37.The Analyst: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:33 am

    How many bonus points did they get? They Tahs have gone from 33 to 40 points according to KEO.

  • 38.BlueBlood: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:42 am

    @The Analyst(The Analyst)-37: tahs were on 35.

  • 39.Beertjie: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 11:47 am

    @BlueBlood(BlueBlood)-38: No, Keo’s log is wrong.

  • 40.Vetkoek: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 12:18 pm

    @BlueBlood(BlueBlood)-36:

    Not sure why anyone would have complained about the Bulls victory (as it would have done us no real favours if they’d lost anyway and if we get the BP today – big if – we may secure a home semi anyway). Today is a HUGE game for the Stormers and very tricky. I think they will be aware that they need to aim for a BP, as that opens up the chance to get a home semi and final depending on next weeks result. The BP should also ensure they get the home semi at the very least.

    Bulls / Stormers could be a MASSIVE game if a possible home final opportunity is at stake, although I wonder if the Bulls may not use it as an opportunity to rest players as they won’t be at Loftus anyway?

    Interesting times in the last few weeks.

  • 41.Springbokvel: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 12:28 pm

    Stormers get 5 points today and they have a home semi. I think the Stormers must in any case go all out to score 4 tries. Any bonus points will be of great importance even if they manage to fook up and lose.

  • 42.Heavens Game: Reply to this comment
    8 May 2010, 12:31 pm

    @Springbokvel(Springbokvel)-41: lol. You forget there is another team playing…at the Tank.

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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