Chiefs charge into play-offs

Chiefs charge into play-offs

29 Jun 2012

JON CARDINELLI watched the Chiefs beat the Highlanders 27-21 in Dunedin to book their place in the Super Rugby knockout rounds.

This victory, as so many of the Chiefs’ results in 2012, was built on a robust and accurate performance at the breakdown.

Their option taking and tactical kicking wasn’t always good, but they maintained their intensity at the tackle throughout the game. This allowed them to resist the Highlanders in the first 40, and then secure the result in the second stanza.

The Highlanders had the best of both territory and possession in the first half, but were undone by the determined Chiefs defence. They enjoyed frequent surges into the Chiefs’ 22 but surrendered the ball when the visitors loaded the rucks and pressured scrumhalf Aaron Smith. The All Blacks No 9 was forced to rush his pass or drop the ball as the rabid Chiefs forwards piled into the ruck with unstoppable momentum.

The Chiefs showcased their counter-attacking threat during this period, using a breakdown turnover to create a try for wing Tim Nanai-Williams. However, they were fortunate that they didn’t concede more points in the first half. Their tactical kicking was poor, and several wayward kicks by Aaron Cruden prevented them from escaping their own territory.

The Highlanders weren’t good enough to use this territorial advantage to edge ahead on the scoreboard. In fact, a late lapse allowed the Chiefs to score eight points right before half-time, a purple patch of scoring that effectively won the game for the visitors.

Cruden extended the Chiefs lead to 21-9 right after the break, and from there the Highlanders were chasing the game. Given their impotency on attack during the early stages and the manner in which they were losing the collisions, it appeared an impossible task.

They enjoyed some good fortune when the TMO awarded a controversial try. The Chiefs had done well to contest a lineout and tip the ball back on their side, but the Highlanders reacted quickly to put the visitors under pressure.

It seemed as if Tawera Kerr-Barlow had the ball on the ground before Andrew Hore ripped it away and planted it beyond the tryline. It seemed a clear case of hands in the ruck, although between the officials it was decided that Hore’s steal was legal and that the try would stand.

Chris Noakes missed the subsequent conversion but the Highlanders were suddenly just seven points behind. The Chiefs enjoyed more territory in the period that followed, and although Cruden would miss a shot at goal, the pressure applied by his forwards created another opportunity. The three points stretched the Chiefs’ lead to 10 with only 15 minutes remaining.

The Highlanders grew more desperate and this impacted on their discipline. They infringed right in front of their own poles and Cruden banked another penalty.

Hosea Gear managed to power over from close range in the 77th minute to set up a frantic finish. But in the end it was the Chiefs defence that had the final say.

The result sees the Chiefs consolidating their position at the top of the log. Their next two matches will determine whether they host a play-off or not, but it will be a comfort to know that they’ve already booked their place in the final six.

The defeat is a blow to the Highlanders’ play-off ambitions. They have just one match remaining before a bye in the final round. Even if they win next week, they will need a few other results to go their way in order to make the final cut.


408 Comments

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  • 51.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:35 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-47: :lol:

  • 52.viewer: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:35 am

    Fight fight fight

  • 53.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:35 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-46:

    So don’t you think an apology to the decent Stormers supporters would be in place after your sweeping statement at @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-37:

  • 54.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:36 am

    Kiwi handbags.

    Someone should put them on a small island ad let them slug it out.

    Oh wait…..

  • 55.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:37 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-53: This is true, and there are many decent ones at that, just also so many which makes it difficult to like them all :lol:

    And yes you are one of the decent ones, like PA and Stormerboy UFO etc

  • 56.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:37 am

    SBW goes for the attempted headbutt.

    And then whines like a girl.

  • 57.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    sonny b i t ch williams.

    what a class ars e h o le.

    he just told the ref to ” f uk off” when told he was being penalised?????

    seriously, is this the type of image we want for rugby union?

    not me.

  • 58.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    SO appologies to you Stormerbevokindiekop :lol:

  • 59.viewer: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:38 am

    Sheesh SBW is strong. They couldn’t knock him over

  • 60.galileo, roundness, union, coach...: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:39 am

    and the kiwis are clean

    yeah rught

    nice sweet words to the naughty little boys

    but if it was an sa player….

    two guesses

  • 61.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:39 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: Hiyas Ranger brudda, yeah i heard that too, he forgets his own high tackle that was over looked in the first half

  • 62.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:39 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-55:

    We all have our bad apples, HG fern & of course in the blue corner Tac representing the North etc :)

  • 63.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:40 am

    hahaha, and a try for the landers lmoa!

    well done sunni.

    looks like every team in world rugby now knows that getting under sunnis skin is like niggling bakkies, the oke looks like a snorting stallion all pumped up with “outrage”

    :lol:

  • 64.David: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57:
    yeah, does he think he’s blogging on Keo? :lol:

  • 65.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    Joh Gear!

    That ball was still in motion, should’ve stuck his foot outside!

  • 66.willievz: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: He is my LEAST favourite Kiwi of all time.

    And boy, are there a few fuckwits.

  • 67.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-37:

    We are in the fortunate position of NOT having to rely on about 25 other results going our way to determine our fate :)

    So wave your ponytail and jingle your bells for the Chiefs all you like, once this game is over – you fellows only need 24 results to go your way.

    But, at least you get to travel the rugby world as you support a different team each weekend from hereon in – neh?

  • 68.Greenfever: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:41 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-43: I watched that game, think he would have beaten anyone last night. If they never changed the balls every 10 games or so they would have not have lasted the game. He was belting them.

    Will be surprised if he gets throught the 3rd round though. Going to be interesting to see.

  • 69.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:42 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-58:

    Backhanded one but on Keo that’s the best you’re gonna get so dankie :)

  • 70.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:42 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-62: this is true, just so many from your side of the world though lol, but yeah this is also why i said majority of Sharks supporters,

  • 71.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:43 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: He is leaving I believe. I too say good riddance. (Although he has been a pleasure to watch at times)

  • 72.galileo, roundness, union, coach...: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:43 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-61:
    that scuffle was because of a shoulder charge by him.
    yet he’s indignant.

    referee discretion is a joke as well the home town ref bias.

  • 73.ossewa: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:43 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-49:

    You are right….i should not loose faith….

    Wouldn’t it be awesome if Sonny let his hands roll one day….see how he told the ref to f-off!!!

  • 74.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:44 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-67: LIke you guys have done since the birth of Super rugby :wink: NEH??

    Your statement again proves my point thanks for that :smile:

  • 75.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:45 am

    @Greenfever(Greenfever)-68: Rafa was not looking very composed when they left the court for the ‘roof closing ceremony’. He reckoned he was in the zone at that stage – fighting back.
    When he threw that little topless tantrum before the break, the writing was already on the wall – huge pity.

  • 76.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:46 am

    @rangerman(rangerman)-57: is he the first player to ever say that? :roll:

  • 77.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:46 am

    Sharks Lover weer befok vanoggend.

  • 78.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:47 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-61: haha, i have just chuuuuned in.

    passing time til i go spearfishing at 1 oclock lol.

    @David(David)-64: are you saying we are role models davey?

    thats awesome!

  • 79.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:47 am

    @wpstormerbok(wpstormerbok)-53:

    dry your ikuku buddy.

    you’ll catch a cold in this weather.

  • 80.willievz: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:47 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-76: Possibly.

  • 81.Dawn: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:48 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-76:

    Dont think so

    If you watch with the sound off you can see it!

  • 82.>^..^< katman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:48 am

    @Greenfever(Greenfever)-68: Ja, you get the feeling he’s got to blink at some point before the QF. But last night no one would have beaten him.

  • 83.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:48 am

    Someone else enters to prove my point :lol: its a good day i say

  • 84.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:49 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-79: :lol:

  • 85.Greenfever: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:49 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-75: Yep, totally rattled. Power play like that is usually his thing. Gave Rosol a little shoulder at one of the change-overs as well, which showed just how rattled he was.

  • 86.galileo, roundness, union, coach...: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:50 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-76:
    certainly the first time in my life i’ve seen someone so brazely say it right to a ref.
    its usually done a lot more discreetly from a distance and never directly.
    also is punished if done blatantly, but these are kiwis looking after their own of course.

  • 87.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:50 am

    Chiefs making heavy weather of it

    GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO chiefs hammer the nails in ffs

  • 88.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:51 am

    Come now Chiefs, settle this one!

  • 89.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:51 am

    @willievz(willievz)-66: he is not good for rugby imo, the kiwis on reunion were practically giving him a hummer and i honestly dont think he is anywhere near the class of a lomu, on or off the field.

    jonah was all class

    .@The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-71: ja he can get knotted.

    @Transformation(Transformation)-76: ag dont get all upset because i chirped a kiwi buddy.
    rather just comment on whether you think it is acceptable?

  • 90.viewer: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:52 am

    The breakdown is a war zone here

  • 91.The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:52 am

    @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-74: @sharks_lover(sharks_lover)-74: And your reaction proves my point. Thanks for that.

    Do you Sharkettes have any advice for the Stormers on how to beat the Lions?
    No wait…
    Do you Sharkettes have any advice for the Stormers on how NOT to play to beat the Lions?

    At least if the unthinkable happens, we Stormer fans can join your little support group and share our feelings of despair with those who are expert in negative human emotion. The laughs would be worth the R10-00 entrance fee (which I guess covers the Savannah and Tennis biscuits you okes serve after the sob fest?)

  • 92.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:52 am

    @galileo, roundness, union, coach…(i_love_u_bakkiesbotha)-86: ask your self this? why didnt he tell the ref to F*off when he got over looked for the high tackle in the first half??

  • 93.wpstormerbok: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:53 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-79:

    Ohk.

  • 94.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:54 am

    @willievz(willievz)-80: yeah right, and you don’t recall schalk telling willie roos “maak you ****** oor oop(sp)”?
    hehehe :D

  • 95.Tacitus: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:54 am

    @the artist formerly known as gunther(gunther)-79:

    These Stormers fans are calling for apologies all over the place these days.

    Very indignant bunch.

  • 96.the artist formerly known as gunther: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:55 am

    In other news I am much taken with Zoomer’s new jet.

    I’m thinking of trading the Piccanto in on one.

  • 97.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:55 am

    sunni b i tc h said “******* off” directly to the ref?????????????

    and you want to argue about wether its happened before transformation?

    are you mad?

    this isnt roundball buddy, in rugby that kind of behaviour isnt tolerated and rightly so, thank goodness we dont have to watch roundball poofs charging the ref and screaming in his face, its sickening behaviour.

    he should have received a yellow or red like james small got after a less blatant chirp IN NZ all those years ago.

    but sbw is the kiwi lovechild at present so its cool i suppose.

  • 98.sharks_lover: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:55 am

    @The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged by Mad Eye Productions.(The Sharks rugby pedigree is packaged as dog food)-91: the sharks ure as hell knew how to whip your stormers though

    My reaction had nothuing in it but a smile, but get yourself some tissues, see i didnt wish at all for a Stormer loss, thats Stormer supporter style, i wish for a Landers loss as it suited the Sharks, so get that chip off the shoulders, it;s seemingly very heavy on your shoulders

  • 99.Greenfever: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:56 am

    @>^..^< katman(katman)-82: I guess the thing with a guy like that is if he could keep that up he wouldn’t be ranked 100 in the world. Good luck to him though, if he can he will be near impossible to beat.

  • 100.rangerman: Reply to this comment
    29 Jun 2012, 10:57 am

    @Transformation(Transformation)-94: didnt schalk get sent off?

    whats your point?

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