Chiefs win ugly over Stormers

Niva Ta'auso of the Chiefs on the charge during the Super 14 match between the Chiefs and the Stormers at Tauranga tonight. Picture Phil Walter / Getty Images

Chiefs 30 Stormers 20

The Chiefs found some composure at the end of a tense Super 14 rugby dogfight to beat the Stormers 30-20 at Mt Maunganui tonight.

Down 7-14 at halftime and with the two teams deadlocked for much of the second spell, the Chiefs called on two late tries to replacement winger Anthony Tahana to keep their semifinal hopes alive.

The second came with two minutes remaining off a sweet cross-kick from first five-eighth Stephen Donald, ensuring the Chiefs won a match they were always in danger of losing at Blue Chip Stadium.

The mistake rate of both sides and ongoing niggle turned the match into an ugly spectacle. Both struggled with handling and often kicked aimlessly.

The Chiefs had more possession but squandered countless scoring opportunities.

They looked most dangerous when the ball was in the hands of bustling centre Niva Ta'auso while Stormers opposite Jean de Villiers had some classy moments.

De Villiers crossed for the first try in the 15th minute but Chiefs flanker Nili Latu replied on the half hour mark after a Ta'auso bust.

Fullback Tonderai Chavhanga gave the visitors the lead 3min from halftime when he ended remarkable period of play with a 100m breakout try.

First the Stormers and then the Chiefs were camped on each other's trylines for long periods before Stormers winger Rayno Benjamin broke clear to send the flying Chavhanga away.

Donald and opposite Naas Olivier traded penalties after the break before Tahana, who came on to replace injured fullback Mils Muliaina at halftime, scored his first try.

That levelled the score before replacement first five-eighth Peter Donald gave his side a 20-17 lead with 17min remaining.

However, two Donald penalties and his tryscoring chip for Tahana sealed the result.

Chiefs captain Jono Gibbes found it hard to rejoice despite picking up four points.

"It's a bit frustrating because we didn't really play the way we wanted too," he said.

"I think it felt like who wanted to lose it the most out there. But we dug deep and got it. It's a hard-earned four points for us."

The Chiefs changed their tactics in the second, often kicking deep to put pressure on a shaky back three for the Stormers.

"We felt like we got in behind them and used the ball a bit smarter in the second half and respected it a bit more," Gibbes said.

"Maybe in the first half we were guilty of throwing it away and putting ourselves under pressure but we got there in the end."

Stormers skipper Schalk Brits said the match felt like deja vu.

"That's the story of our season, getting so close without getting there," he said.

"They were slowing our ball down and you can't play with slow ball. All credit to the Chiefs, you can't play with slow ball."

Chiefs 30 (Anthony Tahana 2, Nili Latu tries; Stephen Donald 3 pen, 3 con)
Stormers 20 (Jean de Villiers, Tonderai Chavhanga tries; Naas Olivier pen, 2 con, Peter Grant pen) .
HT: 7-14

- NZPA